The Power of Appreciation

You often hear that we all can and do make an impact on others throughout our lifetime. If we stop to think about it, that impact can be huge, based on the ripple effect of influence. If I have a positive impact on just two persons, and they in turn have an impact on just two more, and that keeps going through ten iterations, I have positively impacted a thousand people. Now imagine if that number is increased to just four. The power of exponents reveals the total number after ten rounds is over 1 million.  If that number is much larger in any one of those iterations, one person can have an extreme impact on a very large number of people. Jon Gordon, in this article from his weekly newsletter, explains it quite poignantly. And, the article also speaks to persistence in being influential.

Evaluating yourself

Going through an evaluation can be a little like going to the dentist. Deep down inside, you know it's good for you, but you also know it will probably range anywhere from painful to simply uncomfortable. The thing is, an evaluation, similar to a trip to the dentist, can set you back on the right track to health, physical health in the case of the dentist (you don't want your teeth to fall out) to career and professional health in the case of an evaluation. Of course, similar to going to a dentist who is masterful at fixing your problems with a minimum of discomfort, an evaluator/supervisor who is skilled at provided constructive and specific feedback can do wonders for helping you refocus on maintaining health.

I began thinking of this particular direction as I read The Cloud of Unknowing, and contemplation the author writes about. If a person could be more objective in their contemplation/evaluation/reflection, maybe evaluations by others wouldn't be as "enlightening." So there is a goal for the next month. Reflect on your actions and try to evaluate if they are leading you toward your goals, keeping you in the same spot, or worst of all, moving you away from them.

For an evaluation to be effective, specific feedback is necessary. This becomes true in self-reflection as well as vague feedback can lead to confusion and energy mis-directed. If you feel like feedback is not at the level you need in order to improve, continue asking clarifying questions like What does that mean? or How do I know (or How is that measured?). When the feedback becomes clear, you can make concrete plans of action to improve. This same process can be used in self-reflection. Asking yourself the same type of questions can lead to greater insight and direction. Just make sure you're willing to hear the answers that come to you. 

Synchronicity

Tuesday I wrote about listening to your voice and following the path it may so gently provide you or in other cases not so gently whacks you aside the head. I wrote about this concept before, but probably mistakenly called it serendipity, but by whatever name you call it, last night was another vivid instance of this phenomenon.

I was talking with my wife about the entrepreneurial spirit and how I continue to feel the urge for it to come out, but can’t quite get it clear enough to bring forward. She said something along the lines of “you’ve had it ever since I’ve known you and it’s never come out.” Basically stating that I should focus on what I am doing now and not be troubled with trying to figure out what it is that’s continually making itself known. I responded, a bit tongue-in-cheek, “you just want me to die with my music in me.” Not five minutes later as she perused Facebook, she came across the following:

Dr. Wayne Dwyer just posted this brilliant status: “That music that you hear inside of you urging you to take risks and follow your dreams is your intuitive connection to the purpose in your heart since birth. Be enthusiastic about all you do. Have that passion with the awareness that the word enthusiasm literally means ‘the God (enthos) within (iasm).’” Don’t die with your music still in you.”

Now I realize some will say this is a happy coincidence and nothing more, and while that may be true, I may do as another blogger wrote yesterday, “maybe I need to take my own advice” and listen to that voice a little closer. We all should, so as to not deprive the world of our  talents and gifts.

Find your Voice

Anthony DeMello, in his book Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality, writes about how our feelings are based on our perceptions and so many of the issues in society and our own world are related to faulty thinking. I've read this book most nights for quite a while, so needles to say this wasn't my first time reading the following particular passage:

"say your thing and get out of here. And if they profit, that's fine, and if they don't, too bad!"

Maybe my mind was open enough at this time, or maybe it just takes several repetitions to get a message through a thick skull, but whatever the reason, this passage resonated last night. "Say your thing," and go on. One mustn't worry whether the message is received as it certainly will be heard by some and ignored by others. We must strive to let the world hear our voice and not bury it for fear of rejection or not being heard. The world deserves that and so do each one of us.

Prior knowledge

An article in the NY Times recently highlighted for me the vast differences that can occur among children as far as background and prior knowledge is concerned. When students come to us with this wide difference, it certainly makes it imperative to attempt to get these children experiences that will enable them to have the background to succeed. It is a quick read and should make those of us in better circumstances grateful for the environment in which we grew up.

Happy New Day

Wow! Yesterday certainly flew by and by the time I noticed, I was at home away from a computer and didn't post. While this was intended for New Year's Day, it certainly makes sense every other day of the year. Wait, maybe I actually did plan that as a way of making a point. Then again, that would have been too clever and didn't happen.

The title comes from a passage in a little daily reminder book I read. As many begin the new year with resolutions to change this coming year, this phrase reminds us that change comes about day by day. Commitment to taking action each and every day is the only way to bring about change over a longer term.

I am also reminded of an article about Chris Mullin (One Day at a Time) that I believe ran in Sports Illustrated several years ago. It told the story of Mullin, now a former NBA star, was dealing with his alcoholism. Committing to a course of action for this particular day seems easier than thinking about doing it over a longer period of time, even a lifetime. It's a little like eating the elephant one bite at a time. 

As you look forward to positive change in your life and work, what are you going to do today to begin moving toward that goal? Good luck and Happy New Day.

All is well

This thought came from a short article I read this morning about looking at the world as "fundamentally good." Each year, the PCSD#2 board hosts a Christmas gathering for staff and spouse/guest. A great meal is served and everyone seems to have a good time and enjoy the camaraderie. The thought that all is fundamentally good resounds around the holidays and is something we could keep in mind throughout the year. I am certain that at various times throughout our work and relationships, each of us is confronted with people or issues that challenge us. Reminding ourselves that while we may have different philosophies, values, and ideas, the world is fundamentally good for the most part and the challenge becomes to find that goodness and commonality and build on it.

Help

"Accepting help is not a sign of weakness, but an opportunity to further our progress."

As I was reading a daily meditation book I like to look at each day, this quote struck me as something that could apply not only to one's personal life, but to our professional lives as well. You may have heard it said that many schools have individual "silos" within which each teacher closes his or her door and teaches the curriculum. I've seen colleagues unwilling to ask for help and continue doing what they have always done even if evidence points to a need for change.

However, if we look at it from a different angle, without help, none of us would be where we are today. We needed help when we were young in order to survive, then later to learn. Considering that many, if not most, of us are working for someone else, we needed help to get the job we have. Asking for help can certainly help us learn more quickly, which in turn provides us with the skills and knowledge to succeed. Sometimes all we need is a small change or bit of knowledge to grow exponentially.

Now, I know men are notorious for NOT asking for help. I'm coming to realize that this may do more to slow down progress than just biting the bullet and asking. Just don't tell my wife I admitted that.

Thanksgiving 2011

I've been doing quite a bit of reading lately on giving thanks, saying thank you, and being grateful for all we have in our lives. I've included a couple of links below to provide some reading material on the benefits of an attitude of gratitude.

Sometimes we overlook the simplest of things for which we are grateful. Our lives, the air we breath, and if you're reading this, our sight. I've read many authors who have stressed being grateful in some way every day. Whether this is writing a thank you note every day for a year, as this man did, writing in a daily gratitude journal, or some other form of giving thanks, it is important to consistently do it. At first, it seems either awkward or repetitive, as there are days when you may not be able to think of anything different than what you have listed before. But that is okay, as being grateful daily for the most important people and things in our lives helps us appreciate them.

So, I encourage you to give daily gratitude a try if you don't already. It can and will change your outlook and provide opportunities you may not have seen before.

Live your own life

The quote below, by Steve Jobs, reminded me of another quote I read a long time ago. I had gotten a plaque that said, "To live your life in your own way, to reach for the goals you have set for yourself, to be the you that you want to be, that is success." One of the philosophies I've always tried to live by is that we need to model the things we want our children and students to learn. It's time we all start, if we haven't, to teach our children to live their own lives and give them the skills to follow their heart.

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

11-11-11

It's Veterans Day today and a special day at that. Not only the 11th day of the 11th month, but it is also the 11th year of the century. (Okay, I know technically it is not the 11th year because 2000 is the first year of the century, thus this is the 12th year, but allow me the discretion to use the symbolism.) Guernsey-Sunrise schools held the third annual Veterans Day celebration/assembly today and General Kathy Wright gave a keynote speech. She talked about the "story behind the uniform" and encouraged us to learn that story from our veterans and servicemen and women.

In a conversation with her after the ceremony, something she said struck me as a lesson we could all use to get better individually and collectively. She mentioned that she was never looking to the next promotion or aspiring to a certain rank. She said she just focused on doing the best she could in her position and learning how to get better and when opportunity happened to appear, she was ready. So, immediately after hearing that from her, an article I read had the following quote: "The only real measure of your value is the tangible contribution you make, each and every day." While this came from an article on entrepreneurship and was discussing the skills and attitudes necessary for starting your own business, I felt it could be applied to anything we do.

It reminds me of the phrase, "what have you done for me lately?" While many will lament the fact that we have to keep proving ourselves day in and day out - and our past successes and contributions may or may not be recognized or considered - it provides a basis for continual improvement in the pursuit of excellence. Happy Veterans Day.

Kids and technology

Yesterday I wrote about PLNs and how they can be a valuable resource for learning and ideas. I have also mentioned previously, the importance of reading, and finding time to read things not only in your area, but outside your area of expertise and knowledge as well. Valuable insights can be gained by looking at and learning about different perspectives. This link is for an article from Parade magazine about kids and their use of technology. It provides data about what and how often kids are using different technologies. It's an important reminder that kids are more and more likely to use technology to connect with people and ideas outside their communities.

Personal Learning Networks

How many of you have a personal learning network (PLN)? If you don't, it's time you got one if you want to a) have a wealth of resources for questions you might want answered; b) want to keep up with the ever-changing world of education; and c) be a model for life-long learning for your students.

PLNs are social networks of like-minded people willing to share their expertise, answer questions about topics you are passionate about or interested in, and provide resources that you may have never found or don't have the time to find. I have found several resources that I have used myself and/or passed on to staff. In this article, Kevin Honeycutt reviews a book by Gallup's Jim Clifton on the need to "teach our kids to invent, create and innovate and not in the near future but right now, today." It came from the social network Plurk and is a jpeg, so I think you can get to it without being a member.

Another blog I came across was about "Freelance leaners" and the fact that more and more people are able to be entrepreneurial in nature and become basically freelance workers. They may work on a project until completion, disband, and then get together with different people on another project. Are we teaching our students to be able to do this or are we still expecting them to get a job and stay with it for their career? Or are we giving them the skills to change careers multiple times based on their interests and opportunities?

A PLN provides us with tools to learn more, create more, and find more resources than we could on our own. Getting started is easy and helps streamline our learning process.

Extra Hour

I almost forgot tonight was the end of Daylight Savings time and the clocks get turned back an hour. so, what will you do with your "extra hour?" Like most people, I'm guessing I will sleep with that hour, although I'm actually hoping not to do that and get some work done.

But what would you do if you could find an extra hour every day? And the more important question is "can you find an extra hour each day?" We're all given the same 24 hours, but the choices we make determine how we use our day. If you could find that extra hour every day, what would you do? Would it be time to relax and read a good book or maybe extra time to exercise? There are a lot of things you could choose to do and finding something you enjoy and is productive for you will be a great use of that hour.

Movember

The 19-day challenge to write a post everyday results: 15/19 days with 16 posts. Not perfect, but the momentum is turning. Just as in any challenge, there are obstacles to overcome and I feel pretty good about not going more than two days without posting. Hopefully, there were some interesting items that either helped you learn something or spurred some reflection or thought.

On to the next 30-day challenge - Movember.

No, I didn't spell it wrong. It is officially Movember, the month when men around the world will grow moustaches to raise money and awareness for men's health. As an advocate for better health for all, this particular drive has a personal touch for me. My dad died of prostate cancer when he was only 70; way too young. It is my goal to help men and women become more aware of the importance of good health and exercise. Plus, I don't have to shave for a few days. :)

So, check out the Movember site, participate if you would like, donate to a good cause, or just follow along and have fun watching the progress.

Encourage!

Encourage!

That's a statement, a call to action, not just an abstract thought.

We need more encouragers, according to Jon Gordon, and I couldn't agree more. How many times have you heard someone say to be more realistic or something along those lines? How many times have you said that? For many of our students, that is all they hear, whether from home, peers, or teachers. Today, make it a goal to encourage someone. If we would all do that, the world would certainly be a better place. Nobody thought the Wright brothers could fly or Edison could make a light bulb. However, they kept trying and eventually discovered they could reach their goal. This is what we need to instill in our students by encouraging them to reach for the stars and keep trying. It might make all the difference in the world for our students and the world.

The world doesn't need more negativity and impossible thinkers.

The world needs more optimists, encouragers, and inspirers.

- Jon Gordon

It's in the Cards

As I watched the end of Game 7 of the 2011 World Series last night, I thought perseverance would be a good theme to post on today. The St. Louis Cardinals overcame some perilous situations - both in the regular seasons and Game 6 of the Series - to pull off the championship. While I can't say I'm a Cards' fan, particularly since they beat the Brewers, I can say I am a fan of those teams that seem to find a way to make things happen.

This same attitude of perseverance can certainly pertain to everything we do, from educating our children to our own personal and professional lives. It is certainly understandable that many of us face circumstances and situations that try us and look to be difficult at best or almost impossible at worst. It is at these times that we remember that perseverance can take us a long way. There will be obstacles on our way to success, but it is those who are able to continue hammering away at the obstacle or diligently finding a way over or around it that seem to find success time and again.

There is an adage that what we focus on, we realize. If we can persevere through the difficulties and focus on staying the course, success will come. It's not always easy to see, but perseverance can see us through to the end.

Ben's early maxims

Reading Ben Franklin's biography, I am amazed by the variety of things he did during his lifetime. From a writer/printer to a scientist and diplomat, he was well known for his practical and straightforward principles. In his younger days, he offered four maxims that everyone would do well to follow:
1. Be frugal,
2. Be truthful,
3. Work hard, and
4. Speak ill of no man.

It is interesting, however, that Franklin wrote many articles under various psuedonyms, which allowed him to stretch #4 above somewhat. A lot of good could certainly come from following these principles in everything we do, including business, personal life, and education. Ben's biography is certainly interesting and I look forward to learning other valuable lessons.

Ronald Reagan

I wasn't sure how to title this post, but since it had to do a little with Ronald Reagan, I would title it as such. For some reason, I recall a debate in a high school class about the upcoming presidential election between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. If I remember correctly, though somewhat hazily, most of the girls supported the incumbent Jimmy Carter and the boys the challenger, Reagan. I remember following that election and Reagan's subsequent terms as president as I grew through high school and college.

This memory came back to me while reading an article in the May 2008 edition of The School Administrator. Joseph Cirasuolo wrote about connecting and introduced his piece with the story of how Reagan managed to get many bills passed even though he faced a divided Congress his first two years and both houses controlled by Democrats the next two years. Cirasuolo's claim is that Reagan's ability to communicate directly to the American people, who then pushed their representatives to support those initiatives, was key to his success.

Cirasuolo goes on to outline the connections that Reagan built and the connections educators need to build to combat the array of critics taking aim at public education. While this is true, I think many of those connections are already built. Each district and school has built connections with the community in which they reside, with the community and business leaders, and the parents. What is truly needed is the direct communication that Reagan used so skillfully. As educators, we must continually communicate the positive things that schools and districts are doing for our students. Without that critical piece, the naysayers and critics will continue to overwhelm the populace with their negativity.

Deciding on Action

I came across a story as I was reading The Noticer (p. 111) and thought I would reprint it and comment.

"Five seagulls are sitting on a dock. One of them decides to fly away. How many seagulls are left (on the dock)?"

"Well . . . four." (was the reply)

"No. There are still five. Deciding to fly away and actually flying away are two very different things."

For some reason, that struck me as funny as well as quite to the point. Intentions are fine and good, but without action, they are of little consequence. One of the reasons for the 19-day challenge was to make a point of taking action, even if there are times when I can't decide on a course of action (or a topic to write on) or don't particularly feel like writing. By getting into the habit of committing to a course of action, the things that inhibit our opportunities due to inaction are lessened.