Lesson 6 Transcript

Below is the full transcript of Lesson 6

This lesson and transcript are part of the RAD for Life social-emotional learning program. Educators, counsellors, and parents may view and use this material for personal learning or classroom discussion. The content may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used commercially without permission. The lesson is provided so you can preview and plan how RAD may be used in your classroom or particular setting. Copyright © RAD for Life. All rights reserved.

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Lesson 6 Transcript: Understanding RoAD Blocks

The following transcript accompanies the RAD Lesson 6 video and introduces the concept of RoAD Blocks in the RAD framework. In this lesson, learners explore how uncomfortable thoughts and feelings can get in the way of doing what matters most and how recognizing these RoAD Blocks can help them continue making RAD moves.

Welcome back to radforlife.com — the home of the RAD SEL Lessons.

This is Lesson 6: RoAD Blocks.

Let’s start with a reminder of what RAD is all about: helping you do the things that matter most to you in your life.

I say “do” because RAD is really about action. It’s about making RAD moves and living your life in a way that aligns with your values.

To do this, we need to use the RAD skills we have learned so far: recognizing our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, labeling our thoughts and feelings as comfortable or uncomfortable, and learning to accept them.

Of course, even if we become very good at using these skills, it’s impossible to only make RAD moves. Making mistakes and sometimes doing notRAD moves is a normal part of being human.

In our lives, there are many challenges that make it hard to do RAD moves. In RAD, we call these challenges RoAD Blocks.

RoAD Blocks are things that stop us from moving toward our values.

I like the term RoAD Blocks for two reasons. First, I needed a word that fit with the RAD theme, so why not just add an “O”? Second, the word helps show how life sometimes throws obstacles in our way that prevent us from moving forward.

Think about traffic.

If you live somewhere with busy roads, you probably run into roadblocks like construction, accidents, or congestion. These things slow you down or stop you from getting where you want to go.

In life, we face similar roadblocks.

However, in RAD we’re not talking about construction or traffic. RoAD Blocks are the uncomfortable thoughts and feelings that get in the way of doing what’s important to us.

In RAD, RoAD Blocks are not random events like forgetting to set your alarm or losing your wallet. Instead, they are thoughts like “I’m going to fail” or “I’m not good enough,” and feelings like worry, fear, or frustration.

Let’s look at an example.

Imagine you value being a good friend. You remember it’s your friend’s birthday, but you haven’t talked to them in a long time. You want to send them a message.

If your phone was broken, that’s not a RoAD Block — that’s just bad timing.

However, if you don’t send the message because you’re thinking “We’re not close anymore” or feeling worried about how they might respond, those thoughts and feelings are RoAD Blocks.

They are your own thoughts and feelings blocking a RAD move.

Here’s another example.

Imagine you value learning and responsibility. You have a big school assignment due.

If your pet destroyed your homework, that’s not a RoAD Block — that’s just a naughty pet.

But if you avoid the assignment because you’re thinking “I’m going to fail” or “This is too hard,” those thoughts and feelings become RoAD Blocks.

RoAD Blocks can also show up in situations where emotions take over.

For example, imagine someone values helping others. Helping someone would be a RAD move.

But if that person becomes overwhelmed with anger or frustration, those feelings could become RoAD Blocks. In those moments, the person might act in ways that don’t match their values.

In other words, RoAD Blocks can sometimes lead to notRAD moves — actions that are out of line with the kind of person we want to be.

Here’s one more example.

Imagine someone trying out for a sports team. They value teamwork and challenge.

But they have thoughts like “Am I good enough?” or “What if I fail?” They might also feel nervous or worried.

A RAD move might be going to the tryout or practicing beforehand.

But quitting the sport because of those thoughts and feelings would be a RoAD Block leading to a notRAD move.

One important thing to remember is that encountering RoAD Blocks is completely normal. Everyone experiences uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.

Getting stuck sometimes and making notRAD moves is part of life.

The good news is that the RAD skills we’ve already learned can help us face these RoAD Blocks. In the upcoming lessons, we will also learn specific strategies that help us respond to RoAD Blocks so we can keep doing what matters and continue making RAD moves.

For now, take a moment to reflect on your own life. Think about some of the RoAD Blocks you experience and how they might get in the way of following your values.

Until next time — Be RAD.

Activity Six

For Activity Six, you will respond to several scenarios by doing two things.

First, identify whether the behaviour described is a RAD move or a notRAD move based on the person’s values.

Second, try to identify what possible RoAD Block that person might be experiencing.

Remember, RoAD Blocks are the uncomfortable thoughts or feelings that someone may be struggling with, not just difficult events like losing a wallet or breaking a phone.

RoAD Blocks are the uncomfortable thoughts and feelings that can prevent us from doing RAD moves. They are unavoidable in life, and sometimes they can cause us to act in ways that do not align with our values. In RAD, we call this being stuck.

In later lessons, we will learn how accepting these RoAD Blocks can help us continue doing what is important to us. Our uncomfortable thoughts and feelings may still be present, but they do not have to keep us stuck.