In chapter 8 of Atomic Habits, James Clear discusses how vital it is when creating a good habit to have what is known as a “dopamine spike” and “dopamine feedback loop.” The dopamine in our brains is like a motivational drive to continue doing what we are doing. If there is no dopamine spike when we are about to complete a habit, we are unlikely to continue doing it. You can think of dopamine as the immediate reward when accomplishing a habit. When working with clients the idea of an “immediate reward” can be helpful for them to continue doing a habit (i.e. creating a dopamine feedback loop). When a client is trying to improve their leisure habits there should be an immediate reward, therefore finding a leisure activity that is of interest to them is vital. If a client enjoys playing a competitive sport such as volleyball, then they are driven by the fact that they are going to compete against their peers in a game that they enjoy. This interest in their leisure will help them be more excited and motivated to participate in a program that focuses on this interests (competitive volleyball).
In chapter 9, James Clear states that there are three groups that we are influenced by: The close, the many, and the powerful. The close are our friends and family. When trying to improve on my work habits such as procrastination I should begin to surround my self with friends and families who are hard working and do not procrastinate completing their work. The many could represent the entire Longwood community of students. I should use my resources that my peers use for example the library or the writing center. If I take advantage of a resource offered to the student body, I can complete my assignments quicker and in a more efficient manner therefore accomplishing them in a timely manner. The powerful influences in my life are other Recreation Therapists as well as my professors. They can help guide me and offer advice for becoming a better student so that I can be a successful future Recreation Therapist. By using these social groups of influences, I can surround myself with people I hope to be like. In this case, surrounding myself with hard-working and successful groups can help me in becoming a better worker and eliminate my bad working habits such as procrastination.
RUBRIC:
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Learning Outcome: Completed Blog Post The student completed a reflective writing blog post according to the assignment description to include replying to all questions in a narrative (paragraph) format.
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Learning Outcome: Attendance & Participation The student was on time to the book club meeting, attended the entire session, and participated actively and independently in the discussion/activities presented.
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Reference:
Clear, James. (2018). Atomic Habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits and break bad ones. New York, NY: Penguin Random House LLC.