At QMAK, we believe that true learning happens not just through passive instruction, but through active observation, questioning, and thoughtful action. It’s why our “Action Knowledge” philosophy is centered on guiding students to first deeply understand a situation before consciously working to improve it.
One powerful technique we use to cultivate this mindset is what we call the “Wise Observation Journal.” It’s a simple but profound exercise that teaches children the vital skills of patience, objectivity, and prioritization when approaching areas for positive change.
The Steps to Wise Observation
Whenever a QMAK student joins a new learning environment – be it a classroom, extracurricular, or group project – their first step is to open a fresh page in their journal. At the top, they title it “Wise Observations – [Environment Name].”
Over the next couple of weeks, the student simply observes and documents anything that strikes them as suboptimal or confusing about the practices, processes, or dynamics they’re witnessing. Perceived inefficiencies, unclear decision-making, organizational flaws – they capture it all with an impartial beginner’s mind.
Importantly, during this observation window, the student doesn’t outwardly criticize or attempt to “fix” anything yet. They’re instructed to resist the common human impulse to immediately convince others of their viewpoint. Instead, QMAK students focus solely on developing a rich, nuanced comprehension through firsthand experience.
Once those initial weeks have passed, the real growth work begins.
Prioritizing for Maximum Impact
With their Wise Observation Journal now brimming with perceived areas for improvement, students assess which issues are:
For items in the first category, no further action is needed beyond acknowledging the situation’s context.
For easily solvable matters, students are empowered to simply make the fix themselves through writing documentation, adjusting practices, or having focused conversations with those involved. This hands-on learning reinforces their sense of ownership and agency as solution creators.
However, the largest opportunities tend to fall into that third category of more systemic issues. To tackle these thoughtfully, QMAK students proceed through the following high-impact process:
By following this conscious methodology, students develop invaluable skills in:
Essentially, QMAK’s Wise Observation Journal nurtures the consciousness of a seasoned consultant or facilitator – equipped to astutely diagnose underlying dynamics and galvanize coordinated improvement through co-creative trust-building.
The Infinite Solution-Finding Cycle
Ultimately, students come to understand the Wise Observation process as an infinite loop of perceiving areas for growth, analyzing root causes, co-creating potential solutions, and taking empowered action to instantiate positive change.
This perpetual solution-finding cycle becomes hard-wired into their mindset, preparing them to thrive as highly adaptive, collaborative problem-solvers in any environment. Whether it’s their family life, future career, or passionate entrepreneurial pursuits, they’ll possess the mindset of conscious and intentional upward spiral facilitation.
If you’re looking to initiate your children into the path of purposefully elevating the world around them, QMAK’s Wise Observation Journal provides the perfect initiation. Enroll them today in the journey of becoming lifelong solution-creators and conscious change-agents.
Remember, at QMAK, we don’t just teach; we empower. We don’t just inform; we inspire. We don’t just question; we act. Become a Gold Member, and let’s unlock your child’s full potential, one question at a time.