Life Skills: Essential for Personal Growth on the Ever Changing Road of Life

By Nancy Harper

Nancy's Life Skills class has been very beneficial and impacting for the student-athlete's at Ball State University. Nancy provides real life lessons acquired from her many years of working with young adults in a variety of counseling settings. Additionally, many of the skills and techniques can be used with younger teens to help them cope with the myriad of issues confronted by young adults on a daily basis. Nancy is very passionate about the life skills that all young adults and teens need to function with their peers on a daily basis.
David Land, Director of Athletic Compliance, Emeritus

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"The student-athletes in our program have classified the Life Skills course instruction as one of their collegiate academic highlights. They comment on the excitement of the class instructor, the creativity of content, and the confidence the instructional materials contribute to their post-college experience."
Kelly Packard, Head Women's Basketball Coach, Ball State University

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"Professor Harper's life skills course is a necessity for the overall development and education of our student-athletes. We encourage every one of our young players to take advantage of this opportunity."
Pete Lembo, Head Football Coach, Ball State University

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The Life Skills component of an education is as important as any that we can teach. It helps our young people deal with real life situations that will allow them to grow as students, athletes and people. Tim Buckley, Assistant Basketball Coach, Indiana University

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The Life Skills class has taught me so much. Even two years later, I found myself in a particular situation and I remembered what was taught me in this class. Ethan W. Hall, student athlete at Ball State University.

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"Nancy has done a tremendous job of helping our basketball student-athletes adjust to college life with their Life Skills class. Nancy's ability to relate, engage, and mentor the student-athletes in their transition to college independence allows me to focus more of my time on their athletic development. The Life Skills class is an absolute must for my student-athletes!"
Billy Taylor, Head Mens Basketball Coach, Ball State University

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Quality Correctional Care: Specializing in the assessment and care of inmates with medical, mental and addiction disorders. Dr. Frank Krause, H.S.P.P. C.E.O.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 22, 2011
• ISBN: 9781468522839

Nancy Harper

Nancy Harper was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and currently resides close to Atlanta, Georgia. This has always been a dream of hers to publish a book and this is her first one. She hopes her readers will enjoy her joy and love she dedicated to her work. Nancy also enjoys abstract painting and spending time with her family and friends.

Book preview

LIFE SKILLS

essential for personal growth

on the ever changing

Road of Life

Nancy Harper

missing image file

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

© 2011 by Nancy Harper.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 12/13/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4685-2285-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-2283-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011962210

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1 The Road of Life

Chapter 2 Decision Making

Chapter 3 Stress

Chapter 4 Success/Failure & Goal Setting

Chapter 5 Change and Time Management

Chapter 6 The Only Way to Win – Forgiveness

Chapter 7 Boundaries

Chapter 8 Conflict

Chapter 9 Expectations

Chapter 10 Risks

Chapter 11 Relationships

Chapter 12 Sexuality

Chapter 13 Finances

Chapter 14 Networking and Selecting a Mentor

Chapter 15 Coping Skills

Nancy Harper Photo.jpg

I have been traveling down this Road of Life for several years. My travels have given me a broad perspective of the skills needed to have a quality life. I believe that by using the Life Skills in this workbook you will be able to develop a life of purpose and value.

I retired from Public Education after 31 years of service. During those years I was a classroom teacher, a Dean of students, and ended my career as the Head Guidance Counselor. I am currently teaching the Life Skills Class to freshman athletes at Ball State University. I have taught this class for 10 years. Also, for 10 years I have operated a Private Practice in Adolescent and Family Counseling in Muncie, Indiana

I grew up on a farm just outside of Muncie, Indiana. This background gave me a foundation that helped me commit to a life of success. My faith and my personality have also contributed to my quality of life.

Chapter 1 The Road of Life

Let’s talk about this road.

We are talking about the road to reaching your success. That’s the road you want isn’t it?

Let’s see what is involved in travelling on this road to Success.

I am going to help you become aware of what lies inside of you.

Your capabilities and desires and your beliefs are essential.

Common sense says you must know yourself very well before you start out on

Your Trip to Success.

What you must do to reach Success.

Become aware of your potential.

Listen to your heart’s desires and beliefs

Take steps to improve yourself.

Seek mentors and they will help make your desires and values grow.

Become aware that life emerges from the inside and works out.

Know what you Believe and how it affects your decision making.

Here is a great Question.

Do you have a plan that will help you get to your destination?

What is your plan for your trip down the Road of Life?

Get by?

Make a difference?

Accumulate things and money?

Find your purpose?

Become successful?

Where Do I Start?

Priorities

What would your life be like if you focused on your success?

If you focus on your success would your priorities change?

If you focus on your success would your thinking change?

If you focus on your success would your beliefs change?

At this moment - Do you have an STD? Stupid Thinking Disorder

Your priorities and decisions determine your destiny on the Road of Life

The Plan for your Life.

Do you have one?

Break your plan down to the minute?

What happens if you don’t have a plan?

What skills do you need to include in your Road of Life Plan?

What do you need from yourself for Driving down the Road to your Success?

A sense of adventure

Dreams

Imagination

Become a maniac with a Mission

Learn to love adversity

Finding mentors and networking

Know and follow your beliefs

Your sense of Adventure

When you begin an adventure you have no idea where it will lead you.

During an adventure you feel hopeful, and you connect with the sense of toughness and bravery.

You look fear in the face.

You become changed by just the energy of the attempt.

You must have a dream to continue your education.

Now you are operating in reality instead of the dream.

You are on the road to achieving an education

Now you must be dedicated to set goals, and reach toward graduation and a life that matters.

The Best is Yet to Come

Do you Dream of a Great Life?

If you see it – feel it in your heart - have the will to do it - it can be.

How can you make your dreams a reality?

How can you