Atomic Habits
Lately, I challenged the Middle Years students to get 1% better each day. When asked, they will often respond with 1% is an easy amount to change and it something they feel could be sustainable. That’s great. This concept of only changing by 1% each day stems from the James Clear’s book Atomic Habits. In the book, Clear provides 3 lessons:

1. Small habits make a big difference 
   We often underestimate the value of making small improvement on a daily basis and instead focus on the importance of one large, defining moment. Like the people who go on weight lose shows and wow audiences in the first few weeks under intense pressure but never address the underlying cause of their health crisis. They are fine will the show creates an artificial world for them to succeed in, however, when the show is over, they will return to poor habits if they have focuses on changing their daily habits. Small changes can add up quickly and make a large difference over time. For instance, improving by 1% every day for 1 year, you’ll be 37 times better by the time you finish. On the other hand, the same can work in reverse if we are not careful. Success right not is not what is important, its what habits we are working on and putting into place.
2. Forget about goal setting. Focus on your systems instead. 
   Goals are great but they are just what you want to achieve. They are just the result. Systems are about the processes and steps that lead to those results. Bag habits have a tendency to repeat themselves when people are not prepared to change. There is a saying, you do not rise to the level of your goals, but instead fall to the level of your systems. Time to work on great habits and try to break the bad ones.
3. Build identity-based habits.
   Our current behaviours are a reflection of our current identity. What we do now is the mirror image of the people we believe ourselves to be. It seems like a tall ask, telling us to change who we believe we are … change our identity. But perhaps it is not as hard as it sounds. Firstly, think about the type of person you want to be and then prove it to yourself 1% at a time. Small steps is the key here (remember – 37 times better in a single year). 

The book highlights ways to try and build better habits. It does this by introducing the Four Laws of Behaviour Change. There is a process of building better habits that is divided into four simple steps:

• Cue (make it obvious)
• Craving (make it attractive)
• Response (make it easy)
• Reward (make it satisfying)

Small habits can make a meaningful difference by providing evidence of the person you wish to become. Sometimes we have to be prepared to stop doing good things … in order to do better things. A small change to improve a good habit and turn it into a better habit is a great thing. But it seems odd to stop doing what is considered good. But if we all believe we can do better, even just 1%, not because what we are doing is bad but simply because we think we can do better, there will be not limits to what we can accomplish.

We currently have 153 students who have volunteered to be part of the College’s Leadership Passport model of student leadership skill development. This is wonderful! But, just being brave enough to begin your leadership journey is only the first step. We know that great leaders are people of action. People who see a need and do not let it slip by. People who what to be change makers not because it is easy, but because it is a challenge, it will benefit others, and because it is the right thing to do. We also know that being a great leader is something that no one is born as. It is something that can be developed in anyone and many people lead in many different ways.

In the coming months, it is expected that students will be working through their current leadership level completing the challenges their passport outlines. These include:

• Students completing helpful tasks considered to be Above and Beyond what is expected of all students at the College.
• Students extending their communication skills by completing public speaking challenges either here at school or off-site.
• Attendance and participation in College events that are deemed significant to our community. These include liturgies, house days, carnivals, ANZAC Day services and more.
• Community service. Helping others in need by volunteering time and effort. This could be at sporting clubs, nursing homes, the PCYC etc …

What is exciting is at the completion of their current level, these 153 students would have cumulatively accomplished:

 If your child is interested in beginning their leadership skill development, please have them touch base with their Assistant Principal. It is never too late to join, it is something that student can do with their friends, and with enough practice, time, and effort, any student can grow into a wonderful leader.

Here are some of the aspiring leaders we currently have in our College:

Craig Cullen

Assistant Principal Middle Years