Friday Thought : Get Nervous Again! Make the leap.

When I was a kid, my family (and later my friends) would take weekend getaways to Turkey Run. The hikes were beautiful and the canoe trip was so much fun. Especially when we got to the bridge. 

I don't know how high it is, but I'm confident it's high enough to discourage many from jumping. Or, at the very least, create hesitation. I know I did. Every time, I would stand at the edge, consider it for several minutes, almost jump several times, then eventually leap. It was terrifying. But it was also invigorating. 

And in many ways, that's how I feel about March.

Much like the drive to Turkey Run, at the beginning of the school year, we are excited! We're pumped to meet and teach our students, and we're very clear with them about our norms and expectations. We're also very deliberate in our conversations and holding students accountable.

Then October hits and we plan for Halloween. December brings Christmas parties, January is filled with reunions and re-establishing routines, and February is blah. By March, we expect students to know how to behave, but with the winter months dragging on and on, it seems they - and we - have forgotten how to be. 

We're low on energy. 
I know I am, anyway. Maybe you are too.

This is why I am encouraging us all to Get Nervous Again. Make the Leap!!!

If it's a hard conversation with a student or students that you've been delaying because they should know better . . .  get nervous again and leap! Dive into it.

If you are somewhat snug in your routine of teaching but have something you've wanted to do but just haven't gotten around to it because of this or that excuse . . . get nervous again and try it!

If there is a job you've wanted to pursue, a conversation you've needed to have, or an opportunity you've kept on the shelf, please, get nervous again and leap!

It's always most terrifying right before we jump, a blur as we fall, and rejuvenating once we're done. It's what we talk about for the next year, until we stand yet again on the ledge, wondering if it is worth it. 

Which it is. Every single time. 

#doGREATthings!

Give. Reflect. Explore. Analyze. Try.

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Friday Thoughts : Blog

Friday Thought : How to Keep Going

photo by Austin Kleon

"What would you do if you were stuck in one place, and every day was exactly the same and nothing that you did mattered?" (name that movie!!!)

Sadly, the world of education can sometimes feel this way (especially during the doldrums of winter). I know I do at times. As an educator, father, and overall person!

Luckily, a few years ago I came across a short video by Austin Kleon about How to Keep Going. If you have time, I recommend watching it. Not only is it encouraging, it is also simple and easy to follow. Plus, it works!

I really like number three, "forget the noun, do the verb." 

Lots of people want to be the noun without doing the verb. They want the job title without doing the work. Forget about being a writer . . . 'follow the impulse to write.' Because if you let go of the thing you are trying to be . . . and you focus on the actual work you need to be doing . . . it will take you someplace further and far more interesting. 

Wherever you are in the year, I encourage you to print out the 10 Reminders of How to Keep Going and employ them whenever needed or as much as possible.

I have them hanging above my office computer:

That’s what I’ve been thinking about this week.

#doGREATthings!

Give. Relate. Explore. Analyze. Try.

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Friday Thoughts : Blog

Friday Thought : What a Cheerleader Can Teach the World

I'm sure most of you have already seen this photo. It's been shared on Facebook dozens of times, viewed by over 95,000 people, and featured on ABC Fox Montana. And for good reason! It’s the type of story that people love and flock to.

However, the story ABC Fox chose to spotlight was not what I had hoped for when they reached out for comment.

ABC Fox chose to focus on Helena High and their "coming to the rescue" role in the story, and I don't blame them. It's a touching story, a challenging and encouraging story, and a reminder to us all of how we should act and live when we find ourselves in a similar situation. It's a true Humilitas story!

But it is not the best part of the story.

When I first read saw this post, when I looked at the picture and remembered seeing little Allie Wallace out there cheering all on her own, what I was most inspired by and what wanted the story to focus on was the courage and inspiration of our sole Longhorn. "When we battle through obstacles," I wrote to ABC Fox, "when we do our best, even when it's hard or scary or embarrassing", when we put ourselves on the line and in vulnerable situations, "and when we do it with pride, integrity, and passion, we inspire others to join us." We inspire change.

And that, to me, is the bigger story, the better story, and the more inspiring story because it is the harder story. It is the more convicting story.

I don't know about you but I often feel inadequate as a person. I am constantly scared to make a fool of myself, I'm extremely self conscious of my weaknesses and faults, and am terrified to be perceived as a fool. I hate failure. Yet, almost on a daily basis, be it as a father, husband, principal, friend, person - whatever - I am faced with a decision, a moment, or an opportunity like the above picture. And in those moments, in each and every one, I have a choice to make. Do I walk away, believing my attempts are and skills and efforts are insignificant and worthless? That the embarrassment is too great? That I truly can't make a difference? Or do I stand strong, do my best, and endure? Do I hold tight to the belief that doing the right thing, the hard thing, is indeed the right thing, even when it doesn't feel good? Even when no one seems to care?

When I see the picture of Allie, of a young, petite, and almost squeaky-voiced girl who is so easily lost in the crowd standing and cheering in a giant stadium all by herself (before they showed up) with confidence and pride and diligence, and when I see her standing in a small see of Helena High cheerleaders (after they showed up), I see her inspiring others. I see her inspiring me.

When we hold fast to our convictions, when we act out in faith and pride, and when we do it with integrity and grace, we become influencers. We become movers and shakers. And we inspire others - even the big and mighty - to join in. Just like Allie Wallace did.

That inspires, encourages, and challenges the hell out of me.

That is the story I wish they would have focused on.

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-N- Stuff  :  Open Thoughts  :  Friday Thoughts

Friday Thought : "I want to be a teacher."

"I want to be a teacher."

Two students have said this to me in the past week. Two. And neither of them could articulate a subject or grade they wish to teach. They just know they want to be a teacher.

Which could only mean one thing. We have a pretty amazing group of teachers.

Think about what they're saying, what they're implying by that statement! They know you work hard, that you get paid just over a pile of dog doodoo, and that you are in fact never fully or appropriately appreciated for the work you do. Yet, they want to be like you. They want to be a teacher.

They want to be helpful, brave, fun, exciting, kind, respectful, a person of character, hardworking, inspiring, comforting, smart, RESILIENT, full of purpose, and the million other things all of you are! They look at you, they watch you, in all the muck and mire that surrounds your job, they see how you respond to it all, and they think, "I want to be like them. I want to be a teacher."

Not, "I want your car", or "your long summer vacations", or anything superficial. No, want to be what you are. They want to be like you. THEY WANT TO BE A TEACHER!!!

I just don't know if there is anything more praising or gratifying than that.

It may seem at times that you're beating your head against the wall or dragging kids across the finish line, because you are:) But you're also modeling and teaching our kiddos what it means to make a difference. What it means to be a man or woman of integrity and who is ALIVE, day in and day out. And they've notice. All of them.

And I just love that.