Better World Project
The Write way to Philosophy & Empowering children Through Teaching
Jegadeesh Kumar Kesavan
My Better Me: Better World Project aims to enhance my personal and professional development across five crucial leadership categories. By focusing on Physical Development, Intellectual Pursuits, Emotional Care, Service to Others, and Ethics, I’m nurturing a holistic growth approach. Walking on the treadmill, reading literary novels, meditating, assisting children with math, and completing an online philosophy course all contribute to my well-rounded leadership. My commitment to self-improvement aligns with my belief in making the world a better place. By elevating myself, I’ll be better equipped to positively impact others, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
I am going to implement the better me: Better World Project starting from 5 February 2024 and successfully complete it in 18 weeks. My project is focused on all the 5 Leadership Development categories: Physical Development (Walk on treadmill for 5 days a week); Intellectual Pursuits (Read 4 best literary novels and writer 4 short stories; Emotional Care (meditate for 20 minutes, 3 days a week); Service to Others – Help children with math doubts 2 days a week outside of class time; and Ethics (complete an online philosophy course). I strongly believe that by making myself better in all the 5 leadership categories, I will be able to better serve to make this world a better place. During the course of this project, not only am I going to focus on bettering myself, I’ll also look into helping my stakeholders overcome their difficulties and problems. At the end of the project, I will be a better person and a better leader holistically.
Purpose & Background
Holistic Development: By focusing on Physical Development, Intellectual Pursuits, Emotional Care, Service to Others, and Ethics, you’re ensuring a well-rounded approach to self-improvement. This balance is crucial for sustainable growth and effective leadership.
Alignment with Values: Your project aligns perfectly with your values of diversity, inclusivity, and community involvement. By improving yourself in these areas, you’re better equipped to support and uplift others, especially in your role as a math teacher and advocate for STEM education.
Positive Ripple Effect: As you enhance your own skills and well-being, you create a ripple effect that benefits those around you. Your commitment to helping children with math and supporting your stakeholders demonstrates how personal growth can lead to broader community impact.
Emotional and Physical Well-being: Incorporating physical activity and meditation into your routine supports both your physical and emotional health. This balance is essential for maintaining the energy and resilience needed to lead and inspire others.
Background and Opportunity
In today’s fast-paced world, educators and leaders face numerous challenges, from maintaining personal well-being to effectively supporting and inspiring others. The Better Me: Better World Project addresses these challenges by promoting holistic development across five key leadership categories: Physical Development, Intellectual Pursuits, Emotional Care, Service to Others, and Ethics. This project aims to create a balanced approach to self-improvement, which is essential for sustainable growth and impactful leadership.
Why This Project Matters
This project is deeply personal to me because it aligns with my core values of diversity, inclusivity, and community engagement. As a teacher and advocate for education, I believe that personal growth is the foundation for making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. By enhancing my own skills and well-being, I can better serve my students, colleagues, and community. This project is not just about self-improvement; it’s about creating a ripple effect of positive change that extends beyond myself.
Goal/Mission of the Project
The mission of the Better Me: Better World Project is to foster holistic growth and development, enabling me to become a more effective and compassionate leader. The specific goals of the project are:
Physical Development: Walk on the treadmill for 5 days a week to improve physical health and stamina.
Intellectual Pursuits: Read 4 best literary novels and write 4 short stories to enhance intellectual growth and creativity.
Emotional Care: Meditate for 20 minutes, 3 days a week to cultivate emotional resilience and mindfulness.
Service to Others: Help children with math doubts 2 days a week outside of class time to support their academic growth and confidence.
Ethics: Complete an online philosophy course to deepen my understanding of ethical principles and apply them in my leadership.
By committing to these goals over an 18-week period, starting from February 5, 2024, I aim to become a better person and leader. This project is a testament to my belief that by elevating myself, I can better serve others and contribute to making the world a better place.
Activity/Milestones
1. Physical Development
Activity: Walking on the treadmill for 5 days a week. Milestones:
Week 1-2: Establishing a routine and gradually increasing the duration and intensity of the walks.
Week 3-6: Noticing improvements in stamina and energy levels. Tracking progress and setting new goals.
Week 7-12: Incorporating interval training to challenge myself further.
Week 13-18: Achieving a consistent routine and feeling more physically fit and energized.
What Happened: This activity helped me build a strong foundation for physical health, which positively impacted my overall well-being and productivity.
2. Intellectual Pursuits
Activity: Reading 4 best literary novels and writing 4 short stories. Milestones:
Week 1-4: Reading the first novel and brainstorming ideas for the first short story.
Week 5-8: Completing the first novel and writing the first short story. Starting the second novel.
Week 9-12: Finishing the second novel and writing the second short story. Beginning the third novel.
Week 13-16: Completing the third novel and writing the third short story. Starting the fourth novel.
Week 17-18: Finishing the fourth novel and writing the final short story.
What Happened: This activity enhanced my intellectual growth and creativity, providing new perspectives and ideas that I could incorporate into my teaching and leadership.
3. Emotional Care
Activity: Meditating for 20 minutes, 3 days a week. Milestones:
Week 1-2: Establishing a meditation routine and learning basic techniques.
Week 3-6: Experiencing increased mindfulness and reduced stress levels.
Week 7-12: Deepening my meditation practice and exploring different meditation styles.
Week 13-18: Achieving a consistent meditation routine and feeling more emotionally balanced and resilient.
What Happened: Meditation helped me cultivate emotional resilience and mindfulness, which improved my ability to handle stress and stay focused.
4. Service to Others
Activity: Helping children with math doubts 2 days a week outside of class time. Milestones:
Week 1-2: Identifying students who needed extra help and scheduling sessions.
Week 3-6: Building rapport with students and addressing their specific math challenges.
Week 7-12: Noticing improvements in students’ confidence and performance in math.
Week 13-18: Continuing to support students and seeing significant progress in their understanding and skills.
What Happened: This activity reinforced my commitment to student advocacy and provided a sense of fulfillment as I witnessed the positive impact on my students.
5. Ethics
Activity: Completing an online philosophy course. Milestones:
Week 1-4: Enrolling in the course and completing the initial modules.
Week 5-8: Engaging with course materials and participating in discussions.
Week 9-12: Applying ethical principles to real-world scenarios and reflecting on my own values.
Week 13-18: Completing the course and integrating the learnings into my leadership approach.
What Happened: This activity deepened my understanding of ethical principles and helped me apply them in my personal and professional life, enhancing my integrity and decision-making.
Overall Experience
Throughout the 18-week journey, I experienced significant personal and professional growth. Each activity contributed to my holistic development, making me a better leader and a more compassionate individual. By focusing on these five leadership categories, I was able to create a positive ripple effect, benefiting not only myself but also my students and community. This project reaffirmed my belief in the power of self-improvement and its potential to make the world a better place.
Outcomes
Outcomes of the Better Me: Better World Project
Personal Growth
Physical Development:
Outcome: Improved physical health and stamina.
Data: Increased treadmill walking duration from 20 minutes to 45 minutes per session over 18 weeks.
Impact: Enhanced energy levels and overall well-being.
Intellectual Pursuits:
Outcome: Expanded knowledge and creativity.
Data: Read 4 literary novels and wrote 4 short stories.
Impact: Improved critical thinking and writing skills, which enriched my teaching methods.
Emotional Care:
Outcome: Greater emotional resilience and mindfulness.
Data: Meditated for a total of 18 hours over 18 weeks.
Impact: Reduced stress levels and increased focus, leading to better classroom management and personal interactions.
Service to Others:
Outcome: Enhanced student support and academic performance.
Data: Assisted 15 students with math doubts, dedicating 36 hours over 18 weeks.
Impact: Students showed a 20% improvement in math test scores and increased confidence in their abilities.
Ethics:
Outcome: Deeper understanding of ethical principles.
Data: Completed an online philosophy course with a final grade of 95%.
Impact: Applied ethical decision-making in leadership roles, fostering a more inclusive and fair environment.
Impact on Others
Students
Experience: Students appreciated the extra help with math, feeling more supported and confident.
Feedback: “The extra sessions really helped me understand the concepts better. I feel more prepared for exams now.”
Difference: Improved academic performance and increased engagement in class.
Colleagues
Experience: Colleagues noticed a positive change in my approach to teaching and leadership.
Feedback: “Your dedication to self-improvement is inspiring. It’s motivating us to focus on our own growth as well.”
Difference: Created a culture of continuous learning and self-improvement within the school.
Community
Experience: The community benefited from my enhanced leadership and advocacy efforts.
Feedback: “Your commitment to personal growth and helping others is making a real difference in our community.”
Difference: Strengthened community ties and promoted a supportive, inclusive environment.
Quantitative Impact
Physical Health: Increased treadmill walking duration by 125%.
Intellectual Growth: Completed 4 novels and 4 short stories, enhancing creativity and critical thinking.
Emotional Well-being: Meditated for 18 hours, reducing stress and improving focus.
Student Support: Assisted 15 students, leading to a 20% improvement in math test scores.
Ethical Understanding: Achieved a 95% grade in an online philosophy course, applying ethical principles in leadership.
The Better Me: Better World Project not only fostered my personal and professional growth but also created a positive ripple effect in my students, colleagues, and community. By focusing on holistic development, I was able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, demonstrating the power of self-improvement in creating a better world.
Reflection
What Worked Well
Structured Routine: Establishing a clear and consistent routine for each activity helped maintain focus and motivation. The structured plan ensured that I stayed on track and made steady progress.
Holistic Approach: Addressing multiple aspects of personal development (physical, intellectual, emotional, service, and ethics) provided a balanced growth experience. This comprehensive approach enhanced my overall well-being and effectiveness as a leader.
Community Engagement: Helping students with math doubts and engaging with colleagues fostered a supportive and collaborative environment. This strengthened relationships and created a positive impact on the community.
What Didn’t Work Out as Planned
Time Management: Balancing all the activities with my professional responsibilities was challenging at times. There were weeks when it was difficult to dedicate the desired amount of time to each activity.
Unexpected Challenges: Life’s unpredictability sometimes disrupted the planned schedule. For instance, unexpected meetings or personal commitments occasionally interfered with my routine.
Changes for the Future
Flexible Scheduling: Incorporating more flexibility into the schedule to accommodate unexpected events and ensure that all activities receive adequate attention.
Prioritization: Identifying and prioritizing the most impactful activities during particularly busy periods to maintain progress without feeling overwhelmed.
Support System: Engaging a support system, such as colleagues or friends, to share the journey and provide encouragement and accountability.
Personal Changes and Learnings
Increased Resilience: The project helped me develop greater resilience and adaptability. I learned to navigate challenges and stay committed to my goals despite obstacles.
Enhanced Self-Awareness: I gained a deeper understanding of my strengths and areas for improvement. This self-awareness has been invaluable in both personal and professional contexts.
Stronger Community Bonds: The project reinforced the importance of community and collaboration. I realized that personal growth is amplified when shared with and supported by others.
Learnings About Myself and the Community
Commitment to Growth: I discovered a strong commitment to continuous growth and learning. This project reaffirmed my belief in the power of self-improvement to create positive change.
Empathy and Support: Engaging with students and colleagues highlighted the importance of empathy and support in leadership. I learned that small acts of kindness and assistance can have a significant impact.
Collective Impact: The project demonstrated that individual efforts can contribute to a collective impact. By focusing on my own development, I was able to inspire and uplift those around me, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Conclusion
Achievement of Original Goal
The Better Me: Better World Project successfully met its original goal of fostering holistic growth across five key leadership categories: Physical Development, Intellectual Pursuits, Emotional Care, Service to Others, and Ethics. By adhering to a structured plan and maintaining commitment, I was able to achieve significant personal and professional development.
Implications and Impacts
Personal Implications
Enhanced Well-being: Improved physical health, emotional resilience, and intellectual growth contributed to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Increased Self-Awareness: Gained deeper insights into my strengths and areas for improvement, which enhanced my leadership capabilities.
Impact on Others
Student Success: Students who received additional math support showed a 20% improvement in their test scores, boosting their confidence and academic performance.
Community Engagement: Strengthened relationships with colleagues and the community, fostering a culture of continuous learning and support.
Summary of Project Takeaways
Holistic Development is Key: Addressing multiple aspects of personal growth leads to a more balanced and sustainable improvement.
Structured Planning Works: A clear and consistent routine helps maintain focus and achieve goals.
Flexibility is Crucial: Being adaptable and prioritizing activities during busy periods ensures continued progress.
Community Matters: Engaging with and supporting others amplifies the impact of personal growth.
Continuous Learning: Commitment to ongoing education and self-improvement is essential for effective leadership.
Conclusion
The Better Me: Better World Project has been a transformative journey, not only meeting its original goals but also creating a positive ripple effect in my community. By focusing on holistic development, I have become a better leader and a more compassionate individual, ready to make a meaningful difference in the world.
