1. Life Law #3 People Do What Works
Source: Life Strategies for Teens by Jay McGraw

2. “All men should strive to learn before they die what they are
running from, and to, and why.”
-James Thurber

3. The Payoff
People “do what works” for the payoff. A payoff is the reward for the behavior.
Examples:
Behavior
Payoff(s)
Kissing up to teachers
Hope of higher grades
Underage drinking
Fulfills need to fit in
Drug use
A temporary high
Straight A’s
Better chance at college
Female teen having sex
Hopes boyfriend will love her
Homeless begging for money
Will eat another day

4. Quick - Write
In your notes, list 5 reasons why bullies pick on others.
Why Bullies Pick
on Others: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

5. Quick - Write
Now place a star, or stars, next to the payoff(s) for bullying.
Why Bullies Pick
on Others: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6. Quick - Write In your notes, list 5 reasons why students go to college
Why Bullies Pick
on Others: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Why Students Go
To College: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

7. Quick - Write
Now place a star, or stars, next to the payoff(s) for going to college
Why Bullies Pick
on Others: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Why Students Go
To College: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

8. Payoff Matching Game

9. Putting Life Law #3 Into Action
If you are continually doing something that you don’t like, you are doing it for a reason.
Until you figure out why you do the things that you don’t like, you will never stop doing them.

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

11. Silent Reading
Read about people doing what works on pages in the book entitled Life Strategies for Teens by Jay McGraw.
Add to your Cornell notes any tips that are meaningful from the reading.

12. On Your Own