Saturday, July 6, 2013

First we get started...

This post has been a long time in coming to fruition- written in response to a friend who has been very patient in waiting for me to fulfill a promise that I made to him months ago.  Way back in March, I was fortunate to have met George Couros while at ASCD 2013, along with a plethora of educational leaders whose work I greatly admire.  To be honest, I was rather star struck.  As a first year administrator, it was rather surreal to find myself in the midst of such greats as George, Dave and Shelley Burgess, Jimmy Casas, Dr. Joe Clark, Tom Whitby, Joe Mazza and Eric Shenniger, just to name a few.  Because of Twitter, I was warmly welcomed into their conversations.  It didn't hurt that I was with Tom Whitford  (aka @twhitford)  who had been chatting with so many of these people much longer than I had.  I did what I usually do in a new situation- stand back and observe, just soaking it all in.  But George quickly put an end to that, pulling me into the center of things.  He encouraged me to share what I know, what I am thinking, and what I have been learning this year.  Over lunch, George, Tom and I chatted about ways to support staff in response to all of the new initiatives that are coming our way, as well as the goals that we each have set for ourselves.  George answered many questions, but asked just as many of us. If you have met him, you will understand what I am talking about.  George pushes your thinking, challenges your responses, makes you really consider what you believe.  I appreciate that about him, even as I occasionally shook my mental fist at him.

Still, having made a promise to him that I would start blogging that very weekend, I found myself stalled.  I blamed it on needing to reconnect with my children, with the intense workload waiting for me back in my office, on just about anything that let me off the hook for not following through.  But when I am being truly honest with myself, it was procrastination out of fear.  Fear that I would not be successful at this new skill, fear that I might be mocked, or challenged in my thinking, or that I might even misspeak and say something that I shouldn't.  I recently read Ben Gilpin's blog post  on The Fear of Sharing  (if you haven't read his work at colorfulprincipal.blogspot.com  , you should definitely do so)  I admire Ben's work a great deal and the idea that he has had the same fears that I have been facing is reassuring.  It was also motivating.

This is just the beginning- but it is a beginning.  Someone I greatly admire has often told me, "First you get started, then you get better."  I am finding that this philosophy helps me continue on when I stall, looking for the perfect moment, or the perfect decision.  There is no such perfection, but as Maya Angelou said, "When you know better, you do better."  What inspires you when you stall?  How do you battle self-doubt?  What are you beginning?

And, George, thanks for the push!

18 comments:

  1. Brava! What a great beginning to your adventures in blogging.

    When I stall, which is often because my to-do list is spread out over too many interests, I remember how good it feels to just get up and do one thing. Just one thing.

    And getting buried in the work itself is a good way to combat self-doubt. When I'm paying proper attention to the job at hand, there isn't as much time for doubt to creep in.

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    1. Thanks so much, Lynne! I am amazed at how good it feels to have this first post done. I appreciate the support and feedback!

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  2. Good for you, Leah. Writing a blog is a fear I know I need to conquer myself.

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    1. Thank you for reading my post, Sue! If I can do this, you can too! I look forward to reading your blog- you have so much to share!

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  3. Leah - you did it! You conquered part of your fear, and you have become a role model for others. I have found that blogging helps me clear my head, and gives me practice as a writer (which I still believe I am not). I like how George rubbed off on you - did you see that you asked questions at the end of US? Enjoy this journey now that you've taken the most difficult step. Bravo!

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    1. Joy, your feedback means so much! I must be honest- it isn't just George who has been a role model- there are so many incredible educators who have so willingly shared their knowledge and expertise, along with their own self doubts. People like you, Tom, Jimmy Casas, Dave Culberhouse, Jessica Johnson, Ben Gilpin...
      I am blessed to be surrounded by all if these people and do many more!

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  4. Great job getting started, Leah. You conquered your fear! I love the quote, " First you get started and then you get better." We all need to remember that!

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  5. Wonderful first post! Congratulations for getting started--I know that's the hardest step... I just posted my first piece as a blogger on Friday, and am so glad I finally did. I also love the quote, "First you get started and then you get better." Kudos to you for taking this first step!

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  6. Leah,
    Congratulations on your first post - awesome work!! I really loved reading this piece and I am so glad that George gave you that nudge - we all need someone to do that for us! I am so glad that you dipped your toe into the blogging pool because you have so many important stories, ideas, thoughts and perspectives to share and the world should hear them! That first post is always the most challenging but then it can become quite addictive - at least that is what happened for me! Seriously though, blogging is such an important practice that all educators should engage in (even if they dont share it publicly) because it allows us to reflect, share, critically consider ideas and collaborate - all critical to our success (or at least survival)!
    Thank you so much for sharing this first post with us... I cannot wait to hear the next one. As someone who just finished your first year as an administrator, I am sure you have plenty of things to share! :)
    Tony

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    1. Thank you, Tony! I appreciate the support that I have been receiving from so many! I finally faced up to the fact that I can't let fear of failure keep me from doing something that I know will improve my work in my school. How can I encourge students and staff to take risks if I am not willignn to do the same? I have learned so much from all of those who have shared their thoughts in their blogs- including you! Thank you for the feedback and the inspiration!

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  7. Hey Leah...After interacting with you at ASCD I knew that more people need to hear what you have to say and share. I was lucky enough to have lunch with you, but MORE people need to be able to get to listen and learn with you.

    I am glad you jumped in! 140 characters would not do you justice :)

    Congrats :)

    George

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    1. Thank you, George, for pushing me to take this first step! I am still amazed by how many connections I have made through Twitter and all that I have learned this year. Truly, when people reach out to conncect and support one another, how can we fail? I hope that Tom and I are able to connect with you again in the near future- we have so much more to learn from you!

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  8. Great post Leah! I'm thrilled you are sharing through your blog. I've always believed you have insightful, valuable thoughts.

    My favorite part of your post was, "shaking your mental fist!" Your honesty is what makes you wonderful! Thanks for the mention as well.

    -Ben

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  9. Having a parallel experience with you! I posted my first blog yesterday on wordpress. Like you, I procrastinated forever in writing it and then had to force myself to hit the publish button - sharing the same fears and insecurities as you expressed. Made me have a renewed appreciation for the risks I ask my students to make. Congrats to you, and to me! Baby steps.

    Tracie

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  10. Thank you for stopping by, Ben! I am honored because I know how much your posts have resonated with me.

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    1. I wasn't quite finished but it wouldn't allow me to type any more! Arghhhh! Your most recent post really struck a chord with me and I have shared it with my staff. Too often we forget how much power our words- and red ink-?have in the lives of our students. That someone with such a gift at expressing himself should doubt his talent because someone was more caught up in the mechanics of writing than the emotion bring expressed is regrettable. I am glad that you have found your way back!

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  11. Leah,

    What a wonderful first post! If your second, third, one hundredth posts match this, wow! :)

    "This is just the beginning- but it is a beginning."

    This quote is the one that stood out to me. It's your first post, but for me, each post in my first post because each one is unique, different in why I'm writing, what I'm writing, and for who I'm writing for. Each time I open my blog up, I get that shot of excitement simply because, just like my students, I have a more global voice now. And like Joy said, I too use this as a way to clear my mind, write about a "just now" kind of event, or just something silly. That's the great great thing about your blog, it's yours!

    Thank you for sharing with us and good luck with your continued writing! :)

    Darin
    @AnIowaTeacher


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  12. Leah,
    Thank you for your thoughtful and deeply reflective post. I truly appreciated your honesty and openness about your fears about venturing out into the wide world of blogging. You spoke to the fears that many of us have about sharing our thinking and our work. George Couros provided me with inspiration to get get started too. I wrote about it in a blog post last December: http://jenniesnyder.com/2012/12/28/a-personal-challenge-for-the-new-year/

    Keep up the good work! I look forward to reading your reflections and learning with you!

    Jennie

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