Authorship Foundation

Central Metaphor: You are the author of your own life story.

Story ElementLife EquivalentTeaching ApplicationSentencesIndividual decisionsEach choice writes a line in your storyParagraphsEpisodes/situationsRelated decisions cluster into meaningful chunksChaptersLife phasesLarger arcs with beginnings and endingsThemesValuesWhat your story is really aboutCharacterIdentityWho you're becoming through your choicesPlotLife trajectoryWhere your decisions are taking you

Key Slogan: "Author, not algorithm"

2. Unit of Decision

Central Insight: Every decision moves through: Care → Think → Act

PhaseFunctionQuestionCAREWhat matters here?"What do I care about in this situation?"THINKWhat are my options?"What makes sense to do?"ACTWhat will I actually do?"What am I going to do about it?"

Key Slogan: "Care, Think, Act"

3. Three Mindsets

MindsetOrientationKey QuestionsAUTOMATICPattern-oriented; habits fire without deliberation(None—patterns just execute)"THINK BIG"Expansive, possibility-focusedWhat do I really want? What's possible?"BE REAL"Pragmatic, constraint-focusedWhat's the situation? What are my real options?

The Key Insight: Neither "Think Big" nor "Be Real" is better—both are incomplete alone.

4. Think Big → Be Real → Act

PhaseFocusKey ActivitiesTHINK BIGPossibility, visionDream without constraints firstBE REALConstraints, resourcesReality-check the visionACTExecutionDo it. Learn. Adjust.

Key Slogan: "Think Big... then... Be Real"

5. Care Space Model

The Four Realms

RealmFocusWhat Lives HereSELFInner workMind, body, emotions, habits, growthOTHERSRelationshipsFamily, friends, teams, communitiesPHYSICAL WORLDMaterial realityNature, objects, systems, placesPERSONAL WHOLEMeaning, purposeWhat makes life worth living

The Venn Diagram Model (Relationship Zones)

ZoneSymbolMeaningGreenYesShared core—values you genuinely shareBlueYesValued differences—enrichingGrayYesTolerated differences—neutralRedNoDealbreakersStarPurposeShared purpose (for teams)

6. Gold Star Kit

ComponentDimensionColorContainsQuestionGold Star IdealsPurposeGoldValues, aspirations"What do I care about?"Red ToolboxParadigmRedFrameworks, mental models"How do I understand situations?"Green GearPracticeGreenSkills, habits"What can I do?"

Directional Flow: Purpose drives Paradigm drives Practice.

7. The Four Principles

OrderPrincipleWhat It MeansCare Space1. RTReflective ThinkingMeta-cognition; watching your own mindSELF2. PAPersonal AgencyTaking ownership; being author not passengerSELF3. MRMutual RespectRecognizing others' agency and dignityOTHERS4. ORObjective ReasonFollowing evidence; intellectual honestyWORLD

Key Point: The order matters—each principle enables the next.

8. Compelling vs. Objective Stories

TypePurposeTruth StandardCompellingTo move you, inspire actionEmotional resonance; thematic truthObjectiveTo report what happenedFactual accuracy; evidence-based

Both are necessary. Media literacy includes knowing which you're consuming—and creating.

9. Key Slogans

Primary

  • "Author, not algorithm" — Conscious choice, not pre-programmed responses

  • "Care, Think, Act" — The fundamental sequence

  • "Think Big... then... Be Real" — Dream first, reality-check second

  • "Good habits free your mind" — Automatic patterns that serve your purposes

Supporting

  • "Super Best Bad" — When failure is inevitable, make it the best version of bad

  • "Purpose drives Paradigm drives Practice" — The Gold Star Kit flow