Life Law #4 You Cannot Change What You Do Not Acknowledge Source: Life Strategies for Teens by Jay McGraw

“You never find yourself until you face the truth.” -Pearl Bailey

What is Denial? Denial - n: Hardheaded, stubborn, and immature refusal to be honest with yourself about the stupid insensitive, self-destructive things you do. The unwillingness to acknowledge problems because you wish they weren’t there. Refusal to take ownership in whatever is not working in your life. -Jay McGraw

Two Types of Denial You make stuff up that isn’t even almost true You leave things out (Either way you’re lying to yourself or others.)

Denial Denial Neglect No Positive Change

Quick - Write In your notes, take 5 minutes to write about what you would do if one of your friends was drinking (but said he/she was fine) and about to drive you home.

Video Clip – Peer Pressure Experiment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVOlwxvxhbY Running Time: 5 minutes 8 seconds

Quick - Write In your notes, take 3 minutes to share your thoughts on the experiment about peer pressure. Do the results of the experiment surprise you? Why or why not?

The Comfort & Courage Zones Source: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey

Comfort Zone Represents things you are familiar with friends activities Risk free We feel safe in our comfort zone

Courage Zone Represents things that make us feel uncomfortable things I’m afraid of things I’ve never tried Where opportunity is found

Activity Cards With a small group, take a few minutes to discuss the content on the 8 activity cards.

Silent Reading Read about changing what you acknowledge on pages 105-123 in the book entitled Life Strategies for Teens by Jay McGraw. Add to your Cornell notes any tips that are meaningful from the reading.

Putting Life Law #4 Into Action You must acknowledge that something is wrong before it can change. Don’t spoil your chances for success by denying your problems Peer pressure may likely be an issue that you need to acknowledge and deal with It is often easy but less rewarding to stay in a comfort zone. Break out of that comfort zone and you will be rewarded for it.

On Your Own