As I reflect and prepare for what I hope will be an abundantly fruitful, significant, and fulfilling 2015 as an educator, I'm driven by a powerful image from Christmas.....................
I was reminded that I miss a lot of life moments and doors of opportunity to celebrate, to care, to laugh, to have impact, There are pursuits, attitudes, and new normals I want to go after as an educational leader so that I never stop playing in the paper:
Risks Over Rules- I want to move with passion and vision to look daily around our campus and into the lives of kids and families with a lens that continually asks "What if?" and "Why not?" The educational system is by the minute becoming more filled with meaningless tasks, meetings, paperwork, initiatives, and rules (spoken and unspoken) that make it really tough to dream and make what could be and what needs to be a reality. I want to remember that my audience is the students and their families, no one else.
Less is More- I want to commit to be about a few things. We all try to juggle so many balls and give into the belief that as leaders we are supposed to be really good at about 103 different things. The truth is, I'm really good at about 3 things. I need to give myself permission to let many of those balls fall to the ground and trust other gifted colleagues and parents to pick up those balls and run with them. By minimizing what's on the plate, I can maximize my impact and effectiveness. It's also a good thing for my pride and ego to be reminded that programs and inititiatives can thrive and even improve without my involvement. We don't have to do everything and be a part of everything in order for them to be successful.
Relationships Trump Routine- We live life on a wheel, a fast wheel. In the rat race, we often become the rat. I want my schedule and agenda to be elastic; to be flexible enough that it can welcome interruptions, encounters, and conversations. I want to really listen to people and be fully present when with them. In trying to keep up with the Jones's professionally, if not careful, I end up being truly connected to no one in my circle of influence. And an agenda and a routine simply do not have the capacity to fill you like authentic relationships do.
Build a Bridge vs. Climbing a Ladder- Because like many, I crave being liked and noticed, it is tempting on the journey to begin focusing way too much energy on building my resume', and climbing the ladder, when much of that could instead be poured into right where I currently am. I don't mean building a PLN and purposeful connections that benefit our students and grow us as people. I'm talking about that unhealthy voice inside of me that says "you need to impress; write an article and get published; make sure people know you and are impressed with what you put out there; catch the attention of those folks; there's another opportunity that looks more significant and makes you a bigger deal; take that next job, because it's the obvious next step even if you are fulfilled exactly where you are." I currently have many friends and others encouraging me to apply for one of the upcoming principal positions at my school. I'm flattered by their confidence, yet I know that the role is not my passion or where I feel most effective and fulfilled. However, it is tempting because many would say it is the 'obvious next step on the path.' Confession: Some of my time on social media is not about building a PLN, relationships, learning as well as contributing ideas and thoughts; it's often times me longing to be noticed, climb a ladder, and be a bigger deal in the eyes of more people. I want to recycle that need and pour that time and energy into my local campus, kids, families, and find great joy and contentment in blooming where I've been planted.
No More Than Yes- I want to no longer look at No as a four letter word. A wise friend once told me, "The quantity of your no's will determine the quality of your yes's. When I say yes to one thing, I'm saying no to something else. I want to remember that it is okay to say no to opportunities where I know I could help and make a difference. For example, I have not been on Voxer or Twitter much this fall out of simply not having enough time in the day and needing to focus on my health more. It's hard, because I love those connections and dialogues. Colleagues and friends wonder where you have gone and 'what has happened to you.' The good is often the enemy of the best. Our challenge when making decisions is that we often are having to decide between many really good things; where we will ultimately pour out our time and investment. It's not saying no to blatantly negative or bad things; it's when we have to discern between what is good and what it best; when we choose what will receive the gas in our tank and the squares on our calendar. I want to fill my squares wisely.
Me so Them- Confusing I'm sure. As a former pastor, I've always been a lover of people and find joy in building into the lives of people. I love the pursuit of selflessness, putting others first, and being a constant encourager. However, years of that pattern can cause me to abandon my personal health, put a dent in my emotional and physical reserves, and even some times put the needs of others before my own family and closest relationships. Bottom line is that it takes great energy to fully love people. You can't give away something you do not have yourself. There must be a daily refilling of the tank and a pattern of sabbath. There must me times of play and solitude. And we must see those times as purposeful and productive and not as lost time or opportunities.
It's time to play in the paper. What do you need to do in 2015 to make sure you never stop playing in the paper? Merry Christmas and here's to an amazing New Year.