An interesting article was recently published in the NY Times called Learning How to Exert Self-Control. The author, Pamela Druckerman, explains the ideas of Walter Mischel, professor of psychology at Columbia, who is 84 years old and is about to publish his first book, "The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control." The article is relevant for adults, teenagers, and children who want to learn how to train their brain in order to gain more self-control. This article addresses topics which are discussed in the Seeing My Time, executive functioning workshops, taught at Thames Academy. In weekly small group meetings and 1-on-1 appointments, Thames Academy advisers discuss the many elements of executive functioning including controlling emotions, goal-directed persistence and response inhibition and teach strategies for success.
From the article:
"...He explains that there are two warring parts of the brain: a hot part demanding immediate gratification (the limbic system), and a cool, goal-oriented part (the prefrontal cortex). The secret of self-control, he says, is to train the prefrontal cortex to kick in first."
"Self-control alone doesn’t guarantee success. People also need a “burning goal” that gives them a reason to activate these skills, he says... "
