Online Classes Need Weekly Discussions: Discover Why It Is Vital for Learning

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One of the most powerful tools in online education is quietly disappearing — and with it, so is student engagement. In fact, one model of online education has already eliminated it completely.

I’ll start by making a distinction between the two prominent models of online education, because the difference directly impacts how students learn — or don’t.

Traditional online classes have historically included a discussion component as part of most, if not all, course weeks. Competency-based models, on the other hand, have largely eliminated this element. Educators working within that system often defend its absence, citing reasons such as:

  • Student responses are too repetitive
  • Discussions take too much time to moderate
  • Students rarely engage in meaningful peer interaction

…and the list goes on.

But my background is rooted in the earlier, more traditional form of online learning — both as a student earning advanced degrees and as an educator developing and teaching online courses. When I refer to traditional online schools, I mean the structure that was once common in the early years of distance education. In those environments, weekly discussions weren’t optional — they were integral to student development, instructor presence, and knowledge retention.

Fast-forward twenty years, and the use of discussions — along with the expectation that instructors participate meaningfully in them — varies dramatically between institutions.

And yet, here’s the truth I’ve seen proven time and again:
When designed well, weekly discussions are not just “nice to have.” They are transformative. They foster curiosity. They spark intellectual discourse, which in turn promotes critical thinking. They create momentum and connection in an otherwise isolated online space. When both students and instructors are truly engaged, discussions stop being a task — and start becoming the heartbeat of the learning experience.

When discussions are crafted with clear goals, thoughtfully designed prompts, and active instructor engagement, the benefits far outweigh the time investment. They deepen comprehension, create academic momentum, and offer opportunities for formative feedback. In short, discussions enrich the experience for both students and instructors in ways no static assignment ever could.

That’s why this article will focus on why discussions matter. In future posts, I’ll share detailed strategies for designing and guiding discussions that actually drive learning.

Discussions Are Not a Waste of Time

It’s all about mindset. Does it really matter if a course requires a minimum number of discussion posts? On its own, no. That requirement doesn’t determine how much effort a student — or instructor — will bring to the conversation. What does matter is the attitude behind the interaction.

Now imagine you’re in a traditional classroom. Students return after being assigned a chapter to read in the course textbook. Would you want to know whether they understood and could apply what they read? Of course. And how would you find out? Chances are, you’d hold a class discussion. You’d ask questions, listen to their responses, challenge their thinking, and draw out connections.

The same concept applies in the online classroom. The difference isn’t the purpose — it’s the format. We don’t have real-time interactions, so we use online discussions. When structured with meaningful prompts and guided by active instructor participation, online discussions can actually offer more depth than many live conversations. But that only happens when instructors treat them as valuable — not as an afterthought.

Discussions Should Be Part of Every Class — and Every Class Week

Whether your course includes a built-in discussion board or not, you, as the instructor, are ultimately responsible for fostering active learning interactions. If there’s no formal discussion component, how will you ensure students have opportunities to engage with the content — and with each other?

For instance, could you host a live webinar to review course topics and encourage open dialogue? If you do, try not to simply read from a PowerPoint deck. In other words, don’t talk at your students — talk with them. Allow for pauses. Ask reflective questions. Invite informal conversation. Make space for their voices.

I’ve observed too many instructor-led webinars that are rushed, slide-heavy, and lecture-focused — often covering the same content in the same way, week after week. Even worse, they end with a half-hearted “Any questions?” when students are already preparing to log off. At that point, the moment for authentic engagement has already passed.

In contrast, planned and participatory discussions — even informal ones — can break through hesitation, encourage meaningful interaction, and help students feel seen. That emotional engagement matters. When students feel acknowledged, they’re more likely to show up, contribute, and invest effort. And you, as the instructor, gain an invaluable window into their comprehension and progress.

Regardless of how discussions are integrated — through curriculum design or your own initiatives — one truth remains: Weekly discussions should not be optional. When implemented with intention and guided by an engaged instructor, they become far more than a checkbox. They become a multi-dimensional teaching tool that supports academic growth, social connection, and the development of critical thinking skills.

Why Discussions Are Vital for Learning

After two decades of designing and teaching online courses, I’ve seen one truth hold firm: when online discussions are intentional — structured around learning outcomes, supported by skilled facilitation, and sustained through consistent instructor engagement — they become central to the learning experience. Far from being a passive or optional element, discussions offer direct insight into how students think, what they understand, and where they need support.

In the sections that follow, I’ll share three key ways in which discussions promote learning, drawn from both experience and research. These are not abstract theories — they’re practical, observable outcomes that reinforce why discussions still matter.

#1. Discussions are an Insightful Formative Assessment Tool

Weekly discussions are far more than participation checkpoints — they can be one of the most effective formative assessment tools available in online education. When thoughtfully designed and facilitated, discussions provide an ongoing, real-time window into how students are interpreting course content, where they’re struggling, and how they’re building connections between concepts.

But this only works if instructors are fully engaged. It means reading every post, not scanning for completion but looking for meaning. It requires understanding the topic well enough to recognize whether a student’s response reflects surface-level thinking, partial understanding, or deep insight. And it means responding with follow-up questions or redirection when students veer off track.

In my two decades of experience, I’ve found that discussions are often more revealing than assignments — especially when students are asked to reflect, apply, or synthesize what they’ve read. These spontaneous, organic insights become invaluable touchpoints for guiding instruction. They allow instructors to intervene early, reinforce key concepts, or challenge assumptions before misconceptions solidify.

In short, discussions make learning visible. They turn isolated moments into teachable opportunities — and when instructors are present and responsive, those opportunities can have lasting academic impact.

#2. A Tool for Timely Instructor Feedback

One of the most overlooked benefits of online discussions is the opportunity they create for real-time, formative feedback — not just about what students know, but how they’re thinking. But this only happens if instructors are present early in the week, not just checking in after the conversation has run its course.

In my experience, when I reply to a student’s discussion post within the first couple of days, it signals something deeper than evaluation. It says: I see the time, thought, and effort you’ve invested — and I value it. That acknowledgment alone builds trust, but it’s what comes next that deepens the learning.

Over the years, I’ve developed a simple but powerful technique: I quote a key sentence or phrase from the student’s post and use it as the foundation for my reply. This shows them I’ve read their work carefully, and it creates an opening to either extend their thinking, challenge them with a new perspective, or guide them toward deeper reflection.

Timely feedback doesn’t mean responding to every student every week in the same way. It means showing up strategically. It means offering responses when they matter most — while the discussion is still unfolding. Sometimes it involves a few well-placed replies that steer the conversation; other times, it involves a mid-week post that synthesizes key insights and prompts deeper thought.

When done with care and consistency, this kind of feedback transforms discussions from a routine activity into a dynamic, evolving dialogue — one where students feel guided, supported, and inspired to think more deeply.

#3. A Catalyst for Critical Thinking

Critical thinking doesn’t just “happen” because students are asked to post about a reading. If discussion prompts only require summary or agreement, most students will stay at the level of automatic or active thinking — recalling content or repeating opinions they already hold.

But the real power of online discussions is their ability to activate critical thinking — when they’re designed with intention and guided with care.

After decades of teaching adult learners, I’ve come to define three distinct levels of thinking:

  • Automatic thinking is our default state — passive thoughts shaped by daily stimuli, emotions, and habits of mind.
  • Active thinking occurs when we begin to interact with content — reading, writing, sharing opinions, solving routine problems.
  • Critical thinking only begins when students are pushed to confront unfamiliar ideas, question assumptions, or solve non-obvious problems using new knowledge.

This is where discussions become transformative. The right question — one that challenges a belief, presents a contradiction, or requires synthesis — can shift students out of passive engagement and into purposeful cognition. And when instructors ask thoughtful follow-up questions or reflect back what students said with nuance, they’re helping to reinforce that shift.

But here’s the key: critical thinking must be triggered. It doesn’t emerge from repetition or surface-level prompts. It arises when students are asked to analyze, evaluate, apply, and even reconstruct what they know in light of new information.

One method I use consistently in business courses is to draw from my own professional background. I’ll introduce a relevant real-world situation, provide enough context for students to understand the challenge, and then pose this question: Based on what you’ve shared, and what you’ve read or learned this week, how might you begin to address this issue? That one question invites application, requires synthesis, and nudges the student beyond opinion — into analysis and action.

Discussions, when designed to do this, become more than conversation. They become cognitive events — ones that can fundamentally reshape how students learn to think.

Why Discussions Still Matter — and Always Will

Online education will continue to evolve. Models will shift, technologies will change, and new formats will emerge. But no matter how courses are delivered, one truth will remain constant: learning is a human process. And meaningful learning requires more than content — it requires connection.

Discussions are not outdated. They are not filler. They are one of the few opportunities in an online course to promote deep thinking, real interaction, and personal growth. When discussions are designed with intention and supported by instructors who are actively engaged, they become the space where students discover ideas, refine their understanding, and strengthen their confidence.

That’s why I will always advocate for weekly discussions. I’ve seen what happens when they’re done well — and more importantly, I’ve seen what’s lost when they’re removed.

Students are always thinking — but not always critically. To activate deeper thinking, instructors must help students elevate how they think. That kind of transformation doesn’t happen by chance; it happens through intentional, guided dialogue. The responsibility for creating those conditions falls on us.

Learning isn’t transformative simply because online activities exist. It becomes transformative when instructors are present — actively involved in the process, committed to student growth, and fully engaged in the conversation.

About Dr. Bruce A. Johnson

Dr. Bruce A. Johnson is an educator, author, and scholar-practitioner who has specialized in distance learning for two decades. A visionary leader in curriculum strategy, online pedagogy, and faculty development, Dr. Johnson is known for challenging outdated systems and advocating for high-impact, student-centered education.

As a published author of three books and hundreds of articles, his work bridges mindset development, online teaching, and academic leadership. His message is clear: education must be intentional, ethical, and transformative.

Discover more and follow Dr. J at Dr. J’s Books or connect on Twitter and Instagram and Bluesky and Pinterest

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Learn How to Help Students Discover Their Potential

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When you consider the potential your students may hold, you can either view it from a need to change how they perform or how they think about performing. I know from experience it is easier to provide feedback and focus on aspects of how students are performing by discussing content not substantially addressed, while highlighting errors in academic writing. Yet if I want to make lasting changes in how students perform, I know my work with students needs to include helping them think about their potential from an internal mindset perspective.

As an educator, I want students to realize the powerful potential they hold every day, just by the thoughts they are thinking. To accomplish this goal, I try to remind them there is something they have available within which may determine how successful their future can be; and it is the power of their thoughts.

In order to explain how I help students learn about this potential; I will first help you tap into this power, which in turn will allow you to teach your students the processes you discovered.

The Essence of a Thought

If you examine the essence of thinking, it all comes down to a single thought. The reason I begin with a singular thought is simple, you have literally hundreds of thoughts going through your mind at any given time. What helped me, as I studied adult education, was to learn about the mind having neurons or nerve cells with information to be transmitted. Any information, data, or knowledge which needs to be stored and transmitted as thoughts is done so through neural pathways, which are connected to the neurons. This is a very basic definition; however, the brain is filled with billions of neurons and neural pathways, which means the capacity for thinking is limitless.

Thoughts Become Thinking

An individual thought is a singular piece of data, knowledge, information, or an idea. When thoughts are grouped together, you are thinking. Other words used in place of thinking may include daydreaming, formulating, planning, and so on. Thinking occurs when you are involved in a conversation, considering the past, or evaluating the future. You are thinking even while reading these words now. Your mind is processing the information and attempting to make a connection to the words and concepts introduced.

There is an important reason why you need to know about thinking, especially as related to your future. A thought by itself is not particularly helpful or hurtful. But a series of thoughts, or thinking about something, has the potential to be anything but helpful. Take for example a person who continually thinks about the past and just cannot seem to let it go. This may lead to feeling a sense of remorse or guilt, preventing the person from setting new goals.

What you think also has a direct impact upon your ability to successfully complete your goals, dreams, plans, and more. These thoughts project the essence of an inner voice, a powerful source which can be reasonable, unreasonable, believable, or unbelievable, depending upon your unique view of the world. This inner voice can also remind you of the number of successes and failures. If you choose to harness its power for support, you will become much stronger and better prepared for the future.

Four Steps to Discover Your Potential

Now that you understand the importance of thinking, you can learn specific steps to discover the potential power of your thoughts. At first you may need to follow all four steps, in the order provided, but with time you should be able to set a goal and immediately harness your thoughts towards achieving a successful outcome.  

Step One: Develop Focused Awareness

There are more distractions now than ever, trying to get (and hold onto) your attention. Between online sources, news, social media, streaming, and television, your ability to remember anything important has become much more challenging. All of this can overwhelm a person’s thoughts, including their senses and emotions. Successfully completing any of your goals will be much harder if your mind is always cluttered and overloaded with information.  

In order to tap into the power of your thoughts, you must become consciously aware of what you are thinking about long enough to conduct self-assessment, maintenance, and self-care. I refer to this as a time of “focused awareness” or allocating time in which you think about your goals, well-being, and personal development. It can also mean dedicating some downtime for yourself, by allowing time to unplug from technology to regain a sense of balance.

Step Two: Engage in Focused Concentration

Once you learn to become aware of what you are thinking, you can then concentrate on your goals, dreams, hopes, future, and whatever else is important to you. This is why routine concentration time, even just a few minutes to check in, can give you time to think through the details of each of your goals or dreams, the progress made, and what still needs to be accomplished.

One of the most important aspects of focused concentration time is the opportunity to reaffirm your positive beliefs. If you do not believe it is possible to achieve what you set out to do, then it will likely not happen. You must believe in your capacity to adapt and learn because if you do not, no one else will.

You can use the practice of focused concentration any time throughout the day, when you feel your mind is becoming cluttered, you feel doubts or fears, or you experience any other negative emotions. You can stop and reset your mindset by focusing on the best of who you are and what you are capable of achieving. Then think about the future and what you are working towards. This will help keep you on a mental path towards success.

Step Three: Prepare for Purposeful Action

Once you have an awareness of your thoughts, and taken time for focused concentration, you can then consider what action is necessary to turn your goals and dreams into a reality. At first you may not know how this will occur. But the more you concentrate and focus your thinking, the more you will find ideas or new thoughts coming into your mind. This is all part of the creative process and a benefit of clearing out the clutter of your mind.

Another helpful idea is to keep pen or pencil and paper close by, as you may find yourself coming up with an idea (or thought) when you least expect it. This is a process of your mind trying to interact in-between all the information being processed throughout the day. There were numerous occasions when I experienced new ideas at night, just before I was about to go to sleep, and might have forgotten them by the next morning if they were not written down. It is helpful to remember the mind is always active, and never shuts off, even when you are asleep. You may wake up and need to write down a new idea right away.

Step Four: Develop a Personal Mantra

The final step for discovering your potential is to develop a personal mantra, something that helps you concentrate and maintain a positive focus, while supporting the steps already taken. Begin your mantra with the words “I will” and add reaffirming words after it. As an example, I developed the following mantra, which you may also find beneficial.

I Will: Not Falter, Trust Myself, Not Give Up

I Will: Fail if Needed, Believe in Myself

I Will: Succeed

I Will: Be Strong, Look Forward

I Will: Try and Try Again

Here’s How to Help Students Discover their Potential

Once you learn about the potential available to you, through the thoughts you nurture, you can use these strategies with your students. I am not advocating using the four-step process with students, and instead, using the elements you find are helpful to change how they think about their performance. For example, if a student is struggling with their work, you can have a discussion about their study environment and offer tips for concentrating. If you meet with students via Zoom, or some other platform, you could offer suggestions for self-reflection as a means of ongoing self-development and growth.

I use elements from these steps with my students, regardless of the subject matter. For example, I recall a time when a doctoral student told me they were glad I was assigned to them as their dissertation mentor as I had a reputation for being a “motivational guru”, which was a nickname I used for many years with my motivational picture quotes. I want students to remember they have the power of their mind to use as a source of strength and resilience. I try to remind students about the power of their beliefs, especially those who are in an entry-point doctoral class and need a strong belief system to get started successfully.

I tell students they have yet to fully understand how much potential they hold and it all begins with their thoughts. I encourage them to believe in themselves regardless of circumstances, and as a result it can help them discover more about what they are capable of achieving.

For you and your students I want you to remember: Who you are is a direct result of the thoughts you maintain. Teach your students what they accomplish will be determined by their ability, or inability, to control what they are thinking. The true potential any student holds, as to making changes in how they perform, begins with a single thought. When you help students discover how to harness the power of their thoughts, their future potential becomes limitless.

About Dr. Johnson

Dr. Bruce A. Johnson has 35 years of experience teaching and training adults. The first half of his career was spent in the field of Corporate Training and Development, with his last role as Manager of Training and Development.

Then in 2005, Dr. Johnson made a transition into the field of distance learning. Over the past 18 years, he has been an online instructor, Faculty Development Specialist, Faculty Development Manager, Dissertation Chair and Mentor, and Certified Curriculum Author.

Dr. Johnson is also an inspirational author, writer, and educator. His life mission is to teach, mentor, write, and inspire others. He has earned a PhD in Postsecondary and Adult Education, a Certificate in Training and Performance Improvement (TPI), a Master’s in Adult Education, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

As a scholar practitioner, Dr. J was published in a scholarly journal, and he has been a featured presenter at an international distance learning conference, along with presenting at three faculty conferences. He has also published over 230 online articles about adult learning, higher education, distance learning, online teaching, and mindset development. Dr. J published three books related to higher education, including two about online teaching.

Getting Down to Business: A Handbook for Faculty Who Teach Business.

Transform Adult Education: Expert Teaching Strategies for Educators.

Transform Online Teaching: Expert Strategies and Essential Resources Every Educator Needs.

Come join Dr. J’s group, Motivation for Transformation:

• Any time of the day, visit this group to find your source of motivation, to be inspired and more importantly, have your mindset transformed: Motivation for Transformation

Dr. J offers transformative resources:

Please visit Dr. J’s Books page on his website: Dr. J’s Books

You can also find Dr. J on the following social media sites:  Instagram

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Discover Why a Resilient Mindset Will Help Sustain You

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Do you take care of what you think about yourself, and pay attention to the words you use to describe yourself? Or do you allow present circumstances to dictate your current worth and value? When your career isn’t going as well as you have planned, what is your reaction? Your mindset has everything to do with your success, just as much as the career goals or plans you have established. You may have an effective career strategy in place and undermine the entire plan, simply by not cultivating a supportive mindset.

Consider this question: When you think of words to describe the qualities you need to face challenges in your career, what comes to mind? Perhaps you will consider characteristics such as determination, grit, perseverance, and other similar to those. There is one you should add to the list and it is resiliency.

This has to do with your state of mind and ability to not only face a difficult situation, but find a way to work through it, even if it means you are adaptable and willing to learn from a life lesson. It also means you do not allow circumstances to dictate your worth or determine what you believe about yourself as a person. When you are resilient, you may suffer a temporary setback, yet you always have a comeback.

This type of mindset is not emotionless, rather it is a practiced state of mind with a disposition not prone to worry or fear. You take control of your career, develop a plan for the future, and then monitor how and what you think. This disposition also gives you confidence in how you act while you are on the job, which your employer is likely to notice. Employers value someone who is confident, even during the most stressful of circumstances. Developing a resilient mindset can be done through continual mindset maintenance and practiced self-awareness.

Beginning Questions to Ask Yourself

As a mentor and educator, I work with those who are often struggling to overcome a sticking point in their present situation. It’s a feeling there is something stalling them from moving forward, and it may feel as if the cause is external circumstances when it cannot be resolved after attempts are made to enact change. But what I’ve often found is a solution is delayed because of misdirected or misguided efforts, without even being aware of it occurring. This can happen when a person is too close to the issue and cannot see it from an objective point of view.

First Question: The first question I ask a person who feels stuck or stalled and cannot move past this point is this: What do you want to accomplish? This seems like an obvious question and yet it gets to the heart of the problem quickly. This question redirects attention back to the original intent of what it is they wanted to accomplish before the sticking point was reached. I’ve found that a step back will sometimes alleviate the pressure to keep pushing forward.

Second Question: Another question I ask someone who is struggling to get past a sticking point is this: Do you hold any fears related to what you are working on right now? This is another important question to ask yourself as the pressure to succeed and not fail can contribute to writer’s block, mindset sabotage, and negative self-talk that will only serve to defeat what you are attempting to accomplish. Over time, this can lead to feelings of complete helplessness.

Self-Talk Make-Over

Whenever you are experiencing negative feelings or emotions related to any aspect of your life, this is the time to carefully examine what you are saying to yourself, about yourself, because those words can help or hurt your progress. Self-talk occurs almost subconsciously and it is done as a matter of routine. A person will establish patterns of reaction to events in their life and immediately respond in a manner about themselves similar to what has been done in the past. For example, if a student is used to mentally berating themselves about their progress, then every time they get a grade that same self-talk will occur.

I recommend keeping a self-talk log, either as something stored on your phone, in a Word document, or in a journal. The idea is to track yourself any time you find yourself mentally making an assessment or evaluative statement about your worth, personality, appearance, career, or anything else related. It won’t take long to discover patterns and you may even surprise yourself about what it is you are saying, words and statements you did not consciously pay attention to until now.

Once you have your self-talk log completed for a week or so, the next step is to decide what you do want to think about yourself. You want to use positive and supportive words to describe yourself. I recommend you develop a new list, a master list of words you want to use and develop as a matter of habit. Keep this list close by you throughout the day and focus on one or two of them from time to time. Whenever you find yourself faced with a challenging circumstance, refer back to your list of supportive words and select one or two to describe yourself. If you can continue in this manner, you will replace the habitual self-talk you’ve developed with words to support your growth, learning, and development.

This form of self-talk self-development is also helpful whenever you are required to take on new tasks, begin a new project, or face situations in which you feel you are unable to control the circumstances. You will have a positive attitude to begin with, rather than starting something new or different with a feeling of apprehension or concern. Even if you have to learn something new, whether it requires acquiring new skills or knowledge, you will find it easier to accomplish when your mindset begins from a positive frame of reference.

How You Can Develop Resiliency

You now understand that your mindset, or mental disposition, is a determining factor in your ability to address challenges, issues, and problems which arise in your career. When you start to question or doubt your natural abilities to address these situations, that’s when you can feel blocked, stuck, or stalled. Any time you are starting to feel less than positive about the events in your life, it is time to become AWARE.

Accept: You accept the situation as it is now and remind yourself there is something you need to accomplish. By stepping back, even metaphorically, you may be able to see the situation from a different perspective.

Worries: You take note of any worries or fears you may have at this time and address them head-on. Fear occurs when you try to take control of something which cannot be controlled.

Amend: You track and amend your self-talk list to include only supportive and positive words and phrases, remembering the value and worth you hold. Every person and every job have value.

Remember: You remember you are capable of learning, growing, and adapting to new situations. If you do not know all the answers when starting a new task or project, you have a capacity to find them.

Express: You express your gratitude for facing new challenges as this provides you with an opportunity to learn, especially to learn more about yourself and your ability to find inner strength.

When you learn to develop a mindset or disposition that is focused on your strengths, and you pay attention to the words you use when you are engaged in daily self-talk, you can set yourself up for success. It doesn’t mean you are going to avoid challenges or failures. But it does mean those times when you are asked to take on new assignments or projects, or you face situations which seem uncertain, you will have an attitude of capability instead of insecurity.

This is an attitude of resiliency, someone who believes within their own mind that they can face obstacles, challenges, issues, or problems and overcome them quickly. It applies to any new and uncertain situation or circumstance as it is all about your state of mind. What you think about yourself is directly related to what you believe about yourself, and it is conveyed in the tone of your communication, whether verbal or written. When you truly believe in yourself, and maintain a supportive mindset, then there is nothing that will stop you from reaching for and attaining the goals you want to achieve.

About Dr. Johnson

Dr. Bruce A. Johnson has 35 years of experience teaching and training adults. The first half of his career was spent in the field of Corporate Training and Development, with his last role as Manager of Training and Development.

Then in 2005, he made a transition into the field of distance learning. Over the past 19 years, he has been an online instructor, Faculty Development Specialist, Faculty Director, Faculty Development Manager, and Dissertation Chair.

Dr. Johnson is also an inspirational author, writer, and educator. His life mission is to teach, mentor, write, and inspire others. He has earned a PhD in Postsecondary and Adult Education, a Certificate in Training and Performance Improvement (TPI), a Master’s in Adult Education, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

As a scholar practitioner, Dr. J was published in a scholarly journal, and he has been a featured presenter at an international distance learning conference, along with presenting at three faculty conferences. He has also published over 230 online articles about adult learning, higher education, distance learning, online teaching, and mindset development. Dr. J published three books related to higher education, including two about online teaching.

Getting Down to Business: A Handbook for Faculty Who Teach Business.

Transform Adult Education: Expert Teaching Strategies for Educators.

Transform Online Teaching: Expert Strategies and Essential Resources Every Educator Needs.

Come join Dr. J’s group, Motivation for Transformation:

• Any time of the day, visit this group to find your source of motivation, to be inspired and more importantly, have your mindset transformed: Motivation for Transformation

Dr. J offers transformative resources:

Please visit Dr. J’s Books page on his website: Dr. J’s Books

You can also find Dr. J on the following social media sites:  Instagram

       

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3 Instinctive Thoughts You Must Stop to Discover Your True Potential

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When you want to start a new project or begin work on a new goal, perhaps for something related to your job, is your first natural reaction to think you are capable and ready to get started? As an educator and career coach, I’ve found the natural reaction for most people is one of questions and doubt. The natural instinctive thoughts are related to fear and questions about capability and capacity.

When these instinctive thoughts begin, it sets the stage for feeling a sense of being limited and at risk for failure. Rather than working from a sense of empowerment and working towards the true potential a person has to learn, when new tasks prompt developmental growth, a person remains stuck in doubt. Yet if you can be on alert for instinctual patterns of self-doubt, it is possible to create a new set of empowering thoughts.

The Origins of Instinctive Negative Thoughts

Why is it the default setting for many of us, when it comes to questioning our ability to complete a task, is to think we cannot or may not be able to accomplish it? Why doesn’t the default thought process begin with a resounding yes? Perhaps it has something to do with being told to be cautious as a child, or being told only those who look and act in a certain manner are able to accomplish any task. It is not always easy to pinpoint the cause and yet it exists, a lack of self-trust in an ability to begin a new project, task, goal, or something similar, without having some form of doubt about being able to complete it.

Consider the last time someone in your workplace asked you to take on a new role or job duty. Did you automatically feel capable of performing what was required? Or if you were asked now, would you feel capable of seeking new work or additional responsibilities based upon your capabilities? The answers to those questions will help you understand what your instinctive thought patterns are and what you need to address. You may not know exactly how those thoughts began, or even how those thoughts have become sustained, but now you will know of their existence. What most people use as the basis for what they believe about themselves, as to what they are or are not capable of at any point in time, are the negative events which have occurred in their career.

What happens is those persistent or instinctive thoughts eventually become an engrained belief. Then any negative occurrences become evidence to support those thoughts about an inability to do something, rather than using it as feedback. Every person is capable of learning new skills and new responsibilities but it depends upon your thought patterns as to whether or not you will follow through with it. If you will believe in your own capacity to learn, and develop it as a practiced habit of thought, you will create it as a belief.

Instinctive Negative Thought Patterns

For those who have not practiced a pattern of thinking positive thoughts about their ability to perform well, they are going to find themselves stuck with recurring negative thought patterns. Every time there is a new challenge, the default thought is negative. If there is praise from anyone, be it a supervisor or co-worker, there might be temporary happiness but in the long-term, negative thoughts will always surface. All it will take is for someone to disagree with them or challenge them in some manner. Developing positive thought patterns requires time and practice, and more importantly, a strong sense of self-trust and self-belief.

3 Instinctive Thoughts You Must Stop to Discover Your True Potential

Instinctive Thought #1: I Can’t.

How many times has this come to mind? To change this thought, answer the question. Face it head-on. Why can’t you? What that does is to take the fear out of the question and give you back your control. You learn that even in the worst case, there are many ways you are able to find a way to turn this into an “I Can” situation.

The more you practice this technique, the more likely the instinctive thought will eventually become, “I Can”, as you know those words mean “I Can Be Prepared”, “I Can Learn”, and so many other similar statements. As you try it and find out it is true, you will repeat it enough times for it to become a belief.

Instinctive Thought #2: I’m Afraid.

This is another powerful statement which can derail a person’s progress and limit their potential. I recommend the same approach as the first negative thought, face it head-on. Why are you afraid? What are you afraid of now? Use fear as a means of becoming prepared, not as a statement to make you want to run away from whatever task you have in mind. Yes, you may be uncertain about the outcome of a project or task. But what you can rely upon is yourself and your capabilities.

You can use any sense of uncertainty to ask questions, obtain information, and allow yourself to become fully prepared. You can even imagine the worst-case scenario, if this helps, to help remove any sense of fear of the unknown and become prepared for the ultimate outcome. The point is to become proactive and face fear in a positive manner to change the instinctive thought into a positive perspective.

Instinctive Thought #3: I Don’t Know How.

Many people believe they cannot admit they do not know how to perform a task or some aspect of their job. Perhaps they are supposed to be the subject matter expert, the skilled expert, or they were hired because of their knowledge. This is a common myth as I have yet to find an employer that expects an employee to know all processes and procedures, and hold all knowledge, or every aspect of their job. It is better to ask someone for help or assistance than to ignore it and hope it is never discovered.

If there is something you need to learn, this is an opportunity to grow in your position or profession. The point is to believe in yourself and face instinctive thoughts from a positive perspective. Just because you do not know something does not mean you are going to get fired (I understand there may be exceptions), it means you should view this as the learning opportunity it provides. This will help you to develop a positive instinctive thought process.

Discover Strategies to Create Positive Thoughts

Even with the development of positive thoughts, you may have moments when you experience uncertainty and fear. The best strategy is to address it as soon as you experience it. The feeling you have is an indicator of what you are experiencing and if you allow it to continue it may turn into frustration, which can show up in your job performance.

Tell Yourself, It’s Okay to Feel:

For those of us who practice the development of positive thoughts, there are going to be times when fear or negative thoughts come up. If that occurs, what do you do about it? It’s as simple as telling yourself not to worry as it is okay to feel. You are a human being and it is not possible to eliminate negative thoughts completely. Even the seemingly happiest person you know can be experiencing moments of pain and fear. It isn’t a matter of what is felt, it is a matter of how you respond to those feelings. When you feel any form of negative thought, process it in the same manner as described above by facing it head-on. Don’t deny it or hide it. Acknowledge it and move on. There are many things in life you cannot control, from people to circumstances, and you are going to experience reactions at times which are less than perfect. When you do, acknowledge those reactions and get back to thinking positively about yourself.

Be Inquisitive:

Developing positive thoughts is about a practice of eliminating naturally negative thoughts. To do this, using the strategies provided above, you will find it helpful to become inquisitive. If you experience fear, you question why you are feeling this way and what it is you are afraid of either now or in the future. If you believe you cannot start or complete a task, ask yourself questions to probe further. In other words, never accept those negative thoughts as the final answer. The use of questions is the best way to explore, probe, and disarm negative thoughts.

Develop New Habits of Thought:

Don’t wait for negative thoughts to arise. It is time to develop positive thoughts about yourself now. For example, decide today that if you are given a new task or project, you will be ready for it. You will be ready for it because you will know to ask questions, you will determine what you know and what you need to learn, and you are aware of your capacity to learn and grow. You feel confident in your ability to take on new assignments and look forward to watching yourself prosper. As you continue to think these thoughts, watch what happens. These thoughts will become your personal beliefs. These beliefs will carry over from your career into your personal life as well. You will transform all aspects of your life simply through the power of positive instinctive thoughts. Instead of being fearful or doubtful about taking on new goals or projects, because you might fail, you will now see yourself as someone with potential, capacity, and an ability to succeed.

About Dr. Johnson

Dr. Bruce A. Johnson has 35 years of experience teaching and training adults. The first half of his career was spent in the field of Corporate Training and Development, with his last role as Manager of Training and Development.

Then in 2005, he made a transition into the field of distance learning. Over the past 19 years, he has been an online instructor, Faculty Development Specialist, Faculty Director, Faculty Development Manager, and Dissertation Chair.

Dr. Johnson is also an inspirational author, writer, and educator. His life mission is to teach, mentor, write, and inspire others. He has earned a PhD in Postsecondary and Adult Education, a Certificate in Training and Performance Improvement (TPI), a Master’s in Adult Education, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

As a scholar practitioner, Dr. J was published in a scholarly journal, and he has been a featured presenter at an international distance learning conference, along with presenting at three faculty conferences. He has also published over 230 online articles about adult learning, higher education, distance learning, online teaching, and mindset development. Dr. J published three books related to higher education, including two about online teaching.

Getting Down to Business: A Handbook for Faculty Who Teach Business.

Transform Adult Education: Expert Teaching Strategies for Educators.

Transform Online Teaching: Expert Strategies and Essential Resources Every Educator Needs.

Come join Dr. J’s group, Motivation for Transformation:

• Any time of the day, visit this group to find your source of motivation, to be inspired and more importantly, have your mindset transformed: Motivation for Transformation

Dr. J offers transformative resources:

Please visit Dr. J’s Books page on his website: Dr. J’s Books

You can also find Dr. J on the following social media sites:  Instagram

       

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How You Can Face Your Greatest Fears

“There may be times when you have to face your worst fears. Perhaps your fears have a name, or perhaps your fears consist of a situation you do not want to be in. Whatever the case may be, know you can and will rise above it. You are strong.” – Dr. Bruce A. Johnson

The most destructive form of fear occurs from thoughts you allow to continue to replay in your mind, in which you believe situations or people control you or your life. While it’s true you may be limited, because of a situation you find yourself in, a set of circumstances you’re unable to control, or anything else you’re unable to change now. However, you are limitless in your ability to dream, plan, and believe in new possibilities.

Here’s something important to remember: You are always free. While you may not be able to control what goes on around you, and the actions others may take in an attempt to dominate you, you control your life by what you think. There’s nothing more freeing, especially during the worst of times, than thinking and planning a new life.

If you have found yourself dealing with fears, real or possibly perceived, please continue to read. As someone who has been a career coach, trainer, and educator for quite a long time, I have some strategies to share. These are techniques I have also found helpful in my career, whenever I needed to be strong of mind.

Your Mind Cannot Be Controlled

It is possible for every aspect of your life, your career, and your health to be controlled in some manner. It can become so all-consuming you feel as if you’ve lost complete control of your life. Yet this is a mantra I recommend to anyone, any time you want to give into a feeling of your greatest fear, that you have lost control of your life: This is not a time to be defeated, not by present circumstances that may not be the most desirable, a person who may not hold your best interests at heart, or anything else you may find that seems to have taken over control of your life. This is a time to pick yourself up and remember: Your mind is free. No one but you can control your mind.

When you stop and really allow this mantra to sink in, you realize how freeing it is, and what ability it gives you to face your fears head-on. Yes it is possible for someone else to control you mentally, that is, if you allow their continued negativity to dominate your thoughts, or you accept their dominate control of your mind. But if you simply begin by closing your eyes, imagine being in a different place or situation, then think of a new outcome, you can start the process of reclaiming control. You do not have to accept any belief that does not agree with you, personally or professionally, especially if that belief causes you to feel negativity within.

Facing Your Greatest Fear

Whenever you must face an opponent head-on, be it an actual person, challenge, fear, or mental barrier remember this: Your well-being, at that very moment, is dependent upon what you believe. If you can believe in the best of yourself, without question, you will prevail. To help you accomplish this goal, I have developed a set of strategies learned from time and practice, which you may also find useful.

Focus on the Best: Fear can sneak up quickly, and overpower your thoughts, if you allow it to. Perhaps it begins as something negative you’ve heard about yourself, which you begin to focus upon, until suddenly you live in fear of that thought becoming a reality about who you are. If you are not taking care of what you think and how you think, you may begin fearing the worst outcomes. What you can do when you find yourself in this situation is to prepare for the worst-case scenario, should you believe something could happen, but live for the best set of circumstances right now.

Evaluate Your Beliefs: It is possible for you to have hundreds of thoughts in any given day. What’s important to remember is this: You are the sum of what you are thinking about in this moment, which means you are the sum of what you believe about yourself. For example, if you are thinking negative thoughts about yourself, you are going to begin to develop negative beliefs about yourself. The converse is also true. You can train yourself to think the best about yourself, which in turn means you believe the best about yourself.

Allow Yourself to Shine: Facing your greatest fears means you must be determined to rise above conditions in your life, no matter how challenging they may actually be or feel. This doesn’t mean you have to deny your existence, it means developing a healthy attitude that protects your state of mind and well-being. For example, you can shine bright in your career, despite negativity that exists around you; be it an uncaring manager, a dysfunctional team, or an attempt to keep you remotely isolated. You must stay true to who you are at all times, and you will shine with a light of internal strength.

Refuse to Give into Doubts: The strength you have available within you is based upon a simple premise: You can refuse to give into doubts about your ability to persevere, no matter how seemingly negative conditions around you may seem. Here’s what you can believe about yourself: You will decide you are not going to live by fear, and you are not going to be intimidated by negative persons or circumstances. No matter what occurs in your life: You are resilient and strong.

You Can Be Stronger Than Fear

You do not know what each day is going to bring. There may be new challenges that await you, problems you may have to solve, or fears you must address. No matter what comes your way, there’s something you know and it’s this: Your state of mind is yours to control. Be in control of your mind and ready for the day, and you will be stronger than fear. This requires tuning out negativity, no matter how forceful the other thoughts, circumstances, and situations may seem to be. If you can believe you will prevail, because of who you are and the values you hold, your positive belief will sustain you. When you face your fears head-on, regardless of the hold it may have upon you, real or perceived, you’re taking a first step forward towards reclaiming your life. This is a time when you discover the strength and determination you can rely upon. You must decide, and continue to believe, you’re free of mind. Then you will face and release your fears.

About Dr. Johnson

Dr. Bruce A. Johnson has 35 years of experience teaching and training adults. The first half of his career was spent in the field of Corporate Training and Development, with his last role as Manager of Training and Development.

Then in 2005, he made a transition into the field of distance learning. Over the past 18 years, he has been an online instructor, Faculty Development Specialist, Faculty Director, Faculty Development Manager, and Dissertation Chair.

Dr. Johnson is also an inspirational author, writer, and educator. His life mission is to teach, mentor, write, and inspire others. He has earned a PhD in Postsecondary and Adult Education, a Certificate in Training and Performance Improvement (TPI), a Master’s in Adult Education, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

As a scholar practitioner, Dr. J was published in a scholarly journal, and he has been a featured presenter at an international distance learning conference, along with presenting at three faculty conferences. He has also published over 230 online articles about adult learning, higher education, distance learning, online teaching, and mindset development. Dr. J published three books related to higher education, including two about online teaching.

Getting Down to Business: A Handbook for Faculty Who Teach Business.

Transform Adult Education: Expert Teaching Strategies for Educators.

Transform Online Teaching: Expert Strategies and Essential Resources Every Educator Needs.

Come join Dr. J’s new group, Motivation for Transformation:

• Any time of the day, visit this group to find your source of motivation, to be inspired and more importantly, have your mindset transformed: Motivation for Transformation

Dr. J offers transformative resources

Please visit the Books page and Store page for more details.

You can also find Dr. J on the following social media sites:

• Instagram

       

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When You Conquer Doubts; You Are Limitless

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Have you discovered the elation that comes with being able to follow through with your own efforts, when you overcome a challenge you thought was nearly impossible, and conquered fear of something new? You are able to accomplish this and more when you refuse to listen to and accept any self-doubts about yourself or your capacity to achieve your goals or dreams.

Yet as you know, self-doubts can be powerful detractors from your positive state of mind and best of intentions. While you may decide you are going to step forward and begin to take action, especially when this involves something important you’ve thought about doing for quite a long time, a moment of hesitation can sideline you. Some people find it easier to disbelieve than believe in their ability to overcome potential obstacles, even if the obstacles perceived are not real challenges.

One of the reasons why anyone would allow doubt to take hold is having habits of thought that do not support success. This is also known as mental routines or shortcuts, which means you have patterns or ways of thinking you have come to rely upon, for essentials such as help with completion of routine tasks, responding to new requests, processing information, and other similar routine occurrences.

In order for you to overcome any doubtful feelings which may arise, it is important to recognize what habits of thought may be responsible for how you are reacting, and then find methods to address the nature of the doubt itself. Once you are able to establish a supportive mindset, you will become more willing to trust yourself whenever you attempt or begin something new.

Habits of the Mind: Helpful and Not Helpful

Are you aware of the patterns or habits of your mind right now? Consider this scenario: You are given a new task at work, something you have never completed before, requiring skills you have only recently learned. What is your initial reaction to the task you’ve been given? What you think in this initial moment involves your habit of the mind. If you instantly respond in a positive manner and accept it is possible you can complete the task, you’ve established a helpful habit of the mind. The converse is also true. If you immediately questioned your ability to take on a new role, then you have an unsupportive habit of the mind.

This also occurs when you want to do anything which may be outside of your typical comfort zone. You may have a good idea, plan, or desire to change, but if your thought patterns don’t support what you want to begin, then it won’t matter how meaningful or important those ideas may be. When your habits of thought are negative or unsupportive, you are never going to feel like actually going through with something new. Instead, you’ll look for every reason possible to confirm your unsupportive reactions. There will be no reason to want to change, as thought patterns are often engrained for the long-term, and rarely examined for validity.

Five Strategies to Overcome Your Doubts

There is only one way you will ever break the habit of thought patterns you have now, and it is to become aware of what it is you are thinking, and change it before it interrupts your new ideas. You will know you need to use one of these strategies when you have a good idea, or you have a task to accomplish, and immediately there are negative reactive thoughts filling your mind. There are some strategies you can use, any time you either want to start a new project, you’ve been given something out of the ordinary to complete, or you find yourself questioning your determination and resolve, and you’re feeling as if you want to give into self-doubts.

#1. Develop a Vision

Whenever you want to make changes, the following strategy can assist you. Think ahead and develop an image of what a new future could look like after everything has been implemented, regardless of the size of those changes. Then hold onto that vision in your mind and allow yourself to experience the feelings of an improved future, regardless of any aspect of what’s involved, whether it is the scope, time, energy, or resources required.

What you are doing is becoming intentional in your response, rather than reactive, which can help you avoid negativity. As a result, you will likely work much harder to make your new idea or plan a reality. Once you establish positive beliefs, which is done with a supportive vision, you’ll find every reason to work past challenges and doubts.  

#2. Challenge Your Doubts

It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve thought about making a new start, developing new plans, creating a new project, or completing anything you have thought about over time. What matters most now is making a decision you are going to begin, even if it challenges your own self-doubt. If you do experience an unsupportive thought pattern, then you must challenge it. To do this ask yourself questions such as: Why do I believe this now? Why do I accept this belief now? You will discover when you make the first step, or take some form of action, a new future begins.

#3. Think of Your Potential

Many people use the power of regret to hold themselves back, and it often begins with the phrase: “If I had only”. Should you find yourself caught in the trap of regret, or holding yourself back because of past missteps or mistakes, then it is time to try a new method of thinking. You do this by thinking about your potential. It doesn’t matter what has occurred in the past as the future is where you’ll find your new outcomes. When you consider how much you can accomplish, it is done through the power of your beliefs, and not by doubting yourself. This form of thinking also offers you an opportunity to work past any questions you may hold about your ability or capacity to get started, as it is all about creating a sense of potential and hope.

#4. Develop Supportive Beliefs

The power of what you think lies in an ability to change how you feel at any time. Yet this requires being focused, in that you must become aware of what you are thinking and be willing to change it. When you do, you can develop new and supportive beliefs, stop persistent doubts about yourself, and look towards the future anew. What a supportive belief consists of is something as simple as a statement that involves “I can”, “I am going to”, “I will”, or “I know I have an ability to”.  But words alone are not enough. If you are going to make one of those statements, then you must try your best to accept those as being the truth now. When you do, you are transformed and able to support your own progress and self-development or improvement. As you continue to make those statements of supportive beliefs, you’ll find new thought habits are developed.

 #5. Find Your Source of Strength

The many strategies listed require you to engage in new forms of thinking, which may be quite different than how you are thinking now. The question then becomes this: How do you change patterns of thought that have been habitual in nature, especially when those thoughts are coming into direct conflict with something new you are contemplating? The answer has to do with your ability to find your internal source of strength, so that you are able to make a first step forward and move past reactive thoughts which may be negative or not supportive.

This source of strength is often referred to as determination, willpower, and resilience. It is personal to you and is something you often rely upon whenever challenges arise. You will recognize the need for strength, any time you want to question your abilities or capabilities. Regardless of what you call the source of your internal strength, remember you have something you can rely upon whenever you want to change or begin something new. This will help you to take the initial idea, turn it into a movement or step forward, and then help you sustain momentum as progress is made.

Discover How You Become Limitless

You have yet to fully realize the potential you possess, until you know what it’s like to conquer your doubts. It is possible to have doubts arise whenever you have something new you want to develop; however, you can overcome those thought patterns no matter how long you have nurtured them. You need to start believing in yourself, despite any questions about your ability to face what’s ahead, the times you’ve questioned decisions made in the past, or moments you counted as failures. The reason why is that you can always learn, adapt, and through determination, become even stronger.

It is possible to be in control of your life through control of your thoughts. Pay attention to how you respond to new situations or new tasks, as this involves your practiced habits of thought. As you develop nurturing self-beliefs, you will become more likely to keep thinking in this manner, replacing your unsupportive thoughts. There is nothing that can stop you from achieving what you want in life but your own self-doubts. Once you recognize and control your doubts, you become limitless in your ability to create new dreams, develop new goals, establish new outcomes, or plan a new future.

About Dr. Johnson

Dr. Bruce A. Johnson has been teaching and training adults since 1982. From 1982 to 2005 he worked in the field of training and development, with his last full-time role as Manager of Training and Development. Since 2005, Dr. Johnson has been working in the field of distance learning, with roles including online educator, Faculty Development Manager, Core Faculty, Dissertation Chair and Committee Member, and Faculty Development Specialist. He also worked part-time for many years as a Human Performance Improvement Consultant. 

Dr. Johnson is an inspirational author, writer, and educator. His life mission is to teach, mentor, write, and inspire others. He has earned a PhD in Postsecondary and Adult Education, a Certificate in Training and Performance Improvement (TPI), a Master’s in Adult Education, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

As a scholar practitioner, Dr. J was published in a scholarly journal, and he has been a featured presenter at an international distance learning conference, along with presenting at three faculty conferences. He has also published over 230 online articles about adult learning, higher education, distance learning, online teaching, and mindset development. Dr. J published three books related to higher education, including two about online teaching.

Getting Down to Business: A Handbook for Faculty Who Teach Business.

Transform Adult Education: Expert Teaching Strategies for Educators.

Transform Online Teaching: Expert Strategies and Essential Resources Every Educator Needs.

Come join Dr. J’s new group, Motivation for Transformation:

• Any time of the day, visit this group to find your source of motivation, to be inspired and more importantly, have your mindset transformed: Motivation for Transformation

Dr. J offers transformative resources

Please visit the Books page and Store page for more details.

You can also find Dr. J on the following social media sites:

• Instagram

       

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