Believe in Yourself
Following our dreams and embracing obstacles
by Hannah Taylor
Suitable for Whole School (Sec)
Aims
To encourage us to start the new year with a positive mindset to achieve our goals.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Believe in Yourself) and the means to display them.
- Have available the YouTube video ‘Bear Grylls Survival School’ and the means to show it during the ‘Time for reflection’ part of the assembly. It is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imTJezXIOas (24 minutes long)
Note: if time allows, show the video from 7.30 to 14.33 minutes. If you are limited for time, play it from 11.02 to 14.21 minutes.
Assembly
- Show Slide 1.
There is a saying that nothing good comes from doing nothing; it is only when we put our minds to something that we achieve great things. We need hard work, patience and dedication. Often, questions in our minds can stop us from taking action. - Show Slide 2.
Sometimes, it can seem simpler to take the easier path, perhaps when we are feeling tired, unhappy or defeated. There can also be pressure from others as to which direction we should take. What if we had the power to make our own choices based on what we enjoy or feel passionate about while still considering opinions from the people around us? Sometimes, taking the longer, more difficult path can be the most rewarding. - Positivity and self-belief are two of the most important factors for any challenge. In dangerous situations, a positive mindset could save our life or encourage our teammates or friends to stay on the right track.
- Ask the following questions.
- Have you ever faced a challenging situation where you’ve had to push yourself to the limit? Perhaps you’ve taken part in a sporting event, entered a competition, given a presentation or handled something in your personal life.
- Would you say that the challenge was worth the outcome?
- How did completing the challenge make you feel? Proud? Elated?
- Would you have felt that way if you hadn’t taken part? - Greatness takes many forms. It can be something that we’ve done that has strengthened us as a person or it could be something that we’ve done for the good of others.
Perhaps we can’t think of a time when we’ve pushed ourselves. Maybe we haven’t had the opportunity or we lacked the confidence or resources to do it.
Challenge the students to think of something that they would love to achieve. - Show Slide 3.
We all come across obstacles when we take part in certain activities and choices. Sometimes, we feel like giving up. Sometimes, we feel like we’ve got lost somewhere along the process and we need to keep reminding ourselves why we set off on a particular pathway. - Perseverance is important. Reminding ourselves not to give up easily is a good motto to follow. We may need some help along the way, but often, we simply need to dig deep and keep trying.
Time for reflection
Show the YouTube video ‘Bear Grylls Survival School’ from 7.30 to 14.33 minutes if time allows, or from 11.02 to 14.21 minutes if time is limited.
Ask the following questions.
- Is there something that you are struggling with at the moment?
- Do you feel like giving up?
- Is there something that you could do that might give you the strength and courage to keep on trying?
Pause to allow time for thought.
Encourage the students to speak to someone if they feel that they need help at this time.
Encourage the students to reflect on what is important for them and to have the courage to follow their dreams despite obstacles.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Please guide us and protect us so that we may achieve great things,
Not just for ourselves, but for the world around us.
Please help us to persevere when we feel like giving up.
Thank you for people who can help us as we move through our lives.
Amen.
