Habit Lab Slides HABIT LAB
Success Blueprint: Week 1
The Inquiry
Think about yesterday from the moment school ended until you went to sleep...
What is one thing you did that helped you?
What is one thing that caused stress?
Blueprint of a Habit
The Definition
A routine or behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur subconsciously.
The Why
Habits save brain power. Your brain loves "autopilot" so it can focus on harder things.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
— Aristotle / Will Durant
Habit Analysis
Accelerators
• Writing assignments down
• Starting at a set time
• Cleaning your backpack weekly
• Moving phone to another room
Roadblocks
• Waiting until 9 PM to start
• "Multitasking" with Netflix
• Shoving papers in locker
• Relying only on memory
The Habit Loop
1. CUE
The Trigger
2. ROUTINE
The Action
3. REWARD
The Benefit
To change a habit, you must change the ROUTINE while keeping the CUE and REWARD .
Today's Mission
1
The Habit Audit
Identify personal accelerators and roadblocks.
2
The Selection
Pick ONE roadblock to redesign this week.
3
Huddle Up
Share your strategy with the group for feedback.
Blueprint Bingo Worksheet Blueprint Bingo
Success Blueprint // Week 1 Ice Breaker
Designer Name
Date
Instructions: Move around the room and find a different person for each square. Have them sign the square if the statement applies to them. Your goal is to get a "Blueprint Bingo" (5 in a row, column, or diagonal).
Has a specific "study zone" at home
Uses a digital calendar (Google/Outlook)
Prefers paper planners over digital
Cleaned their backpack this week
Packs their bag the night before
Drinks water while studying
Listens to music without lyrics
Charges phone in another room at night
Has a "lucky" or favorite pen
Color-codes their school subjects
Wakes up to a loud alarm clock
Has a snack immediately after school
FREE SPACE
Future Architect
Prefers studying in the morning
Prefers studying late at night
Has "Zero Unread" emails right now
Uses a timer when doing homework
Takes notes by hand (pen/pencil)
Can study with a TV on
Reviews their grades once a week
Has a specific goal for this semester
Keeps their desk/work area tidy
Leaves the house within 15 mins of waking
Writes "To-Do" lists for chores
Carries a water bottle to every class
Success Blueprint Teacher Guide Success Blueprint
Facilitator's Implementation Guide
4-Week Curriculum
Curriculum Overview
This 8th-grade small group sequence focuses on moving beyond the "what" of organization to the "how" of executive functioning. By using the "Success Blueprint" theme, students are positioned as architects of their own academic lives.
Key Themes
• Habits over Hacks
• Prioritization (Big Rocks)
• Maintenance Systems
Group Structure
• Time: 30-45 minutes per week
• Capacity: 4-8 students
• Atmosphere: Safe, collaborative, coaching
Session Roadmap
Session Focus & Discussion Prompt Student Activity 01: Habit Lab Focus: The Habit Loop
"Why do you think some people find school 'easy' while others struggle?"
|
Ice Breaker: Blueprint Bingo
Identify accelerators/roadblocks and redesign one routine.
|
| 02: Priority Pro |
Focus: Prioritization
"What happens to your stress when you start a project the night before?"
| Brain dump tasks and categorize using the Eisenhower Matrix. |
| 03: Master Plan |
Focus: Backward Planning
"How do you feel when you realize a major project is due tomorrow and you haven't started?"
| Practice the "3-Step Reverse" on a real project using the planning worksheet. |
| 04: Routine Rescue |
Focus: Maintenance
"What can you do on Sunday night to make 'Future You' happy?"
| Build Launch/Shutdown routines and reflect on 4-week progress. |
Objectives & Materials Needed
WEEK 1: HABIT LAB
Learning Objectives
• Identify personal study accelerators and roadblocks.
• Explain the Habit Loop and redesign one roadblock routine.
Materials Needed
Blueprint Bingo Worksheet
Habit Lab Slides
Habit Lab Worksheet
WEEK 2: PRIORITY PRO
Learning Objectives
• Differentiate between "Urgent" and "Important" tasks.
• Identify high-impact "Big Rocks" versus low-impact "Sand."
Materials Needed
Habit Lab Worksheet Habit Lab Worksheet
Success Blueprint: Session 01
Name:
Date:
Part 1: The Habit Audit
Think about your typical school week. List 3 "Accelerators" (habits that help you) and 3 "Roadblocks" (habits that hold you back).
Accelerators
Roadblocks
Part 2: Habit Redesign
Choose ONE Roadblock from above. Let's break it down into a loop and design a new routine.
The Cue (Trigger)
Example: Sitting on the couch with my phone after school.
The Routine (Action)
Example: Scrolling TikTok for 2 hours.
The Reward (Benefit)
Example: Feeling relaxed/entertained.
The New Blueprint
Keep the same Cue and Reward , but change the Routine . What will you do instead?
Part 3: Group Huddle
Share your New Blueprint with the group. What is one piece of advice or encouragement you received?
Priority Pro Slides Priority Pro
Success Blueprint: Week 2
Big Rocks vs. Sand
The Big Rocks
High-impact tasks: Major projects, studying for finals, personal goals.
The Sand
Low-impact filler: Scrolling, minor chores, checking notifications.
If you put the sand in first, there is no room for the big rocks.
Moral: Schedule your priorities first.
The Priority Grid
1. DO NOW
Urgent & Important
Due tomorrow, emergencies.
2. SCHEDULE
Not Urgent but Important
Studying early, exercise.
3. LIMIT
Urgent & Not Important
Some texts, interruptions.
4. DELETE
Not Urgent & Not Important
Time-wasters, excessive gaming.
The Pro's Secret
Most students live in Quadrant 1 (Firefighting) and Quadrant 4 (Escaping).
"Pros live in Quadrant 2."
Scheduling important tasks early reduces stress and leads to better results.
Priority Audit
Think about your week:
What is your biggest "Big Rock"?
What is a "Sand" activity that steals your time?
When exactly will you work on your Big Rock?
Priority Pro Worksheet Priority Pro Matrix
Success Blueprint: Session 02
Name:
Date:
Part 1: The Brain Dump
Write down EVERYTHING on your plate right now: homework, chores, projects, practices, social events, etc.
Part 2: Categorize Your Tasks
Sort your items from Part 1 into the grid below. Be honest about what is truly "Important" (helps your future) vs. "Urgent" (demands immediate attention).
Importance
Urgency
Q1: URGENT & IMPORTANT DO NOW
Q2: NOT URGENT but IMPORTANT SCHEDULE
Q3: URGENT but NOT IMPORTANT DELEGATE
Q4: NOT URGENT & NOT IMPORTANT DELETE
Part 3: Identify Your Big Rocks
My Top 2 Big Rocks for this week:
1
2
"The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."
Master Plan Slides Master Plan
Success Blueprint: Week 3
Backward Planning
The Definition
A strategy where you start with your final goal or deadline and work your way back to identify the steps.
Why it works
It prevents "The Wall"—realizing you have 5 hours of work but only 1 hour left.
"Don't start from where you are. Start from where you want to be."
The 3-Step Reverse
1
Set the Anchor
Mark the final due date. This is your immovable object.
2
Draft Steps
Identify major tasks that must happen before the end.
3
Walk it Back
Assign each step a date, working backward from the anchor.
Live Walkthrough
Goal: Project Due Friday
Anchor
Monday
Research & Notes
Tuesday
Draft Outline
Wednesday
First Draft Done
Thursday
Final Edits
By planning this way, Thursday night is for "Final Edits," not "First Drafts."
The Challenge
Scenario: The 20-Page Read
You have a Social Studies test on Thursday . You need to read 20 pages and complete a study guide.
Wednesday
What is the last step?
Tuesday
Middle step?
Monday
Starting step?
Master Plan Planner Template Weekly Success Blueprint
Session 03: Master Plan Template
Week of:
Top 3 Big Rocks for this Week
Habit Goal
The habit I'm practicing...
M T W T F S S
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Reflections / Wins for the week
"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
Backward Planning Worksheet Backward Planning Lab
Master Plan: Session 03 Practice
Name:
Date:
Step 1: The Anchor
Choose a real project or test coming up in the next 2 weeks. Write the goal and the deadline below.
The Goal (Project/Test)
The Anchor (Final Due Date)
Step 2: The Reverse Blueprint
Work BACKWARD from your anchor date. What needs to happen right before? And before that?
3
1-2 Days Before Anchor
Example: Final Review / Check rubric / Print materials
2
3-4 Days Before Anchor
Example: Complete first draft / Finish study guide / Experiment complete
1
The Starting Step (Soonest)
Example: Gather sources / Buy materials / Initial research
Step 3: Friction Check
What is the biggest roadblock that might stop you from starting Step 1?
How can you make Step 1 easier to start (Reduce friction)?
Success Blueprint | Session 03 | Practice Your Future
Routine Rescue Slides ROUTINE RESCUE
Success Blueprint: Week 4
Why Systems Break
Entropy
Things naturally get messy. Your backpack doesn't clean itself!
Friction
If it's too hard to do, you won't do it. We need to make it easy.
"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."
— Robert Collier
The Maintenance Kit
The Daily Launch
Check your planner and clear your head every single morning.
Daily Shutdown
Review the day and pack for tomorrow tonight. Zero morning stress.
Sunday Reset: Your Secret Weapon.
Designing Ease
High Friction
Low Friction
How can you make your Accelerators the easiest choice?
Progress Check
Think back to Week 1...
One habit you've actually kept?
How do you feel today?
What's your next Big Rock?
Build Your Future
The Blueprint isn't finished. You are the architect, and every day is a chance to redesign your success.
GO GET IT!
Routine Rescue Checklists Routine Rescue Maintenance
Success Blueprint: Session 04
Name:
The Daily Launch (AM)
Total time: 5 minutes
Check Weekly Planner / App.
Identify today's "One Big Thing."
Verify all necessary materials are in bag.
The Shutdown (PM)
Total time: 10 minutes
Pack backpack for tomorrow morning.
Clear desk surface of "sand" / trash.
Plug in devices for charging.
The Weekly Reset (Sunday Night)
Clean out backpack/binders of old papers.
Update planner with ALL upcoming deadlines.
Choose 2-3 "Big Rocks" for the coming week.
Schedule "White Space" for fun & rest.
The Blueprint Review
My Biggest "Win" over the last 4 weeks:
One habit I'll keep forever:
My next focus area:
"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." — James Clear
