【陳慧珊】有一種教育，叫學習做決定 (35) 做出一個能讓自己引以為傲的決定
2017-06-02
縱使絕大部分人都厭惡考試，我們卻不得不承認在完成一條選擇題或是非題的過程當中，我們將會得益甚多。我們除了能夠在思考過程中加深對學習內容的認識，在苦思如何選擇正確答案的過程當中，亦能給予我們現實生活中作出抉擇時必需的精神和情感技能。
能夠在「是」與「否」之間作決定永遠說來容易做來難，尤其是在有時間限制的情況下就更難。即使我們已經理解測驗題目、明白內容、可以融會貫通新舊知識，並且懂得如何應用它們，要作出正確決定還是需要額外的情感智慧。
話雖如此，人的天性就是喜歡將事情簡單複雜化；我們其實還是能夠從一個樂觀的角度看待應試。正所謂多勞多得，我們應付的測試愈多，就愈能夠更果斷地在兩者之間做決定。
一生人之中可練習應試的機會可謂恆河沙數。比方說，早至小學一年級時，老師和家長已經在訓練我們如何備試和如何面對考試過程。而我們透過考試成績也可以得到許多展現自己最好一面的機會。只要我們能堅持到最後一刻，姑勿論考試結果如何，我們也會為自己能夠堅持整個過程而感到自豪。
回望過去的應試歷程，可以發現我們所作出的選擇、所付出的努力、所克服的困難、所忍受的情感變化、還有接受和面對結果時所付出的勇氣，均能將一個本來難熬的考試轉化成一樣令我們自豪的事情。所以，下一次要面對考試的時候，我們應該把它視為一個可令人引以為傲的決定。
同樣地，在現實生活中也有許多機遇能讓我們在做決定的過程當中挑戰自己，使自己感到自豪。至於我們在孩提和少年時代考試時所獲得的經驗，則能為我們確立正確的態度和觀點，以及賦予一些適當技巧，去幫助我們在日常生活中做出引以為傲的決定。
作出一個能引以為傲的決定絕非易事，相反，它是個更具挑戰性的選擇。我們甚至可以預料到走一條更富挑戰性的途徑，所嚐到的苦頭和感受到的掙扎會更多。倘若要在 A）一個引以為傲的決定 和 B）一個容易的決定 之間二者選其一的話，無論決定如何，都會影響最後成果的品質，還會決定我們在思考過程中學到甚麼東西。因此，到最後我們還是能因自己曾經參與過思考的過程而感到自豪。
「一個引以為傲的決定」也同時代表著我們需準確地認清目標、知道要用莖麼策略去達成目標、並擁有實際及情感技巧以便一路上要作出調節。我們還要具備勇氣去接受結果可能遠遠未如理想。
選擇做「一個引以為傲的決定」的話，我們就要提升自身的努力、洞察力和熱情。它會要求我們時刻保持最佳狀態，好讓我們能堅持不懈地熬過艱難的時期。這樣一來，當我們逼自己發揮極限工作的同時，也會加速我們漸進式學習的進度。最後的結果會是值得我們花心機和時間的。
當然，如果選擇做「一個容易的決定」，結果會更容易預料得到。但假如我們持續選擇做「一個令自己引而為傲的決定」，我們就能在短時間變得加倍自信、更有能力和做事也會更嫻熟。而最終獲得的知識，將可教導我們如何好好運用及掌握已學到的事情，進而改善生活。
此外，一旦我們已經深感自豪，自然就會散發出可吸引同道中人的正能量，從而擴闊我們的人脈。所謂的同道中人，正正就是可以在我們努力做事時給予支持和幫助的人。與此同時，我們也可以透過為別人帶來正面影響，貢獻他人。
所以，下次無論遇上學術上還是生活上的「測試」，最精明的選擇就是選「一個可令自己引以為傲的決定」，而非「一個容易的決定」。因為前者不但可以提昇我們的生活技能、為我們帶來深度學習的機會、促進我們的學習進度，還能幫助我們掌握畢生追求的生活質素。如此看來，以後生活上的每個選擇都會變成一個容易的選擇了！
Making Decisions is Educational
“The Proud Choice”
Although most of us dread taking exams, there are some major benefits to going through the process of completing a Multiple –Choice and True-or-False test. Aside from the understanding we gain from reflecting on our subject knowledge, the serious task of choosing the correct answer may prepare us for the mental and emotional skills that are necessary in making real-life choices.
To be able to choose between a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ is never as easy at is sounds, especially under the pressure of a time constraint. Even if we understand the test question, know the content, can synthesize previous and present knowledge, and know how to apply them, landing on that ‘yes’ or ‘no’ also takes emotional intelligence.
But then again, human nature always makes things more complicated than necessary. To look at test-taking from a brighter perspective, the more we do it the better we become at choosing decisively between two alternatives.
And we certainly get to practice taking exams a lot during our lifetime. Starting from as early as Primary 1 our teachers and parents train us for how to prepare for exams and how to sit through them. We also get many opportunities to present the best version of ourselves through exam results. And by persevering until the very end, we get to be proud of that accomplishment in itself, no matter the result.
Looking back at the test-taking process, all the choices we had to make in between, all the hard work we exerted, the challenges we conquered, the emotional rollercoasters we endured, and the courage we brought forth to accept and face the results, makes riding out exams something to be proud of. Therefore, next time we have to face an exam, it would certainly be considered a proud choice.
Similar to real life, there are many opportunities for us to make choices that challenge us and make us proud. And the experience we’ve gained from taking all those challenging exams throughout our childhood and young adulthood, will certainly help us gain the right attitude, the right perspective, and the appropriate skills to make decisively proud choices in our daily living.
The proud choice is not the easier choice; the proud choice is undeniably the more challenging choice. We can expect that the more challenging path will cause us some pain, struggles and suffering. But the difference between choosing A) The Proud Choice, versus B) The Easy Choice, is not only in the quality of the final result, but in the learning that comes from the process. Therefore, in the end, we will always be proud that we took the journey.
‘The Proud Choice’ also means we have to be precise in identifying the goal, know the strategies that it takes in planning how to get there, have the practical and emotional know-how to make adjustments along the way, and then have the courage to accept that the outcome may end up being a far cry from our expectations.
Choosing ‘The Proud Choice’ will call for us to elevate our level of effort, insight and passion. It will require that we present the best version of ourselves every step of the way in order to commit and persevere through the rough patches. The good news is that while we push ourselves to work at our optimal level, it will accelerate the process of our incremental learning. And that “result” in itself would be worthwhile.
Of course ‘The Easy Choice’ may be much more predictable, but if we keep choosing ‘The Proud Choice’, we will quickly become more confident, more capable and more skilled. And ultimately, we will gain the knowledge as to how to take ownership of those learned qualities to improve every aspect of our life.
Moreover, once we are in our proud state we will emit positive energy, which will attract like-minded people and help us accumulate a wealth of good company. And that is certainly the type of people we want to have around to sustain us in all our minor and major life endeavors. At the same time, we could contribute to others by being a positive influence.
So, the next time we’re put to the test, whether academically or in real life, the smart choice would be to choose ‘The Proud Choice’ over ‘The Easy Choice’. Because ‘The Proud Choice’ will boost our life skills, help us gain deep learning, expedite our journey of progression, and help us take control over the quality of our destiny. Now that should make each and every life decision an easy choice!
作者：陳慧珊
圖片來源：網上圖片
其他文章：