So, here I am, one-week post shoulder surgery on an AC joint wrecked by about 35 years of playing cricket.
I’ve made some solid strides since the op too. I’ve ditched the sling. I can almost lift a cuppa without wincing too. But instead of patting myself on the back (with my good arm), I often find myself fixated on not being 100% yet. It’s like I’m hiking up a mountain, reaching the halfway point ahead of schedule and – instead of enjoying the view – grumbling that I’m yet to plant my flag at the summit.
This, “I’ll be successful when…” mindset is a slippery slope. Dean Jackson, a marketing guru, flipped that internal script with his, “I know I’m being successful when…” list. It’s about recognising success in the now, not at some distant finish line. Some of Jackson’s personal list are:
- I can wake up every day and ask: “What would I like to do today?
- I’m working on projects that excite me and allow me to do my best work.
- There are no whiny people in my life.
- I wear my watch for curiosity only.
- I can quit anytime.
That’s all fine and dandy if you’re a rich marketing entrepreneur, right? But what if Jackson was a teacher or school leader? Would he engage in a relentless chase for perfect outcomes, better data and flawless performance? Not a chance. Jackson just wouldn’t allow daily wins to be overshadowed by mythical destinations in the distant future.
Educators simply don’t celebrate the present enough. It’s way beyond time to recognise the success in engaging a recalcitrant student, in sparking curiosity, in the small, daily victories. By shifting focus from a distant “when” to the current “now,” we not only boost morale but also foster a healthier, more productive culture.
If you’re teaching in a restorative or Real Schools partner school, you’re being authentically successful when you:
- Use affective statements for most of the low level positive and negative behaviours in your classroom.
- Resolve conflict and wrongdoing through a rapid Past > Present > Future intention.
- Use circle architecture to reduce your teaching strain.
- Reflect through the restorative operating domains for about 10 seconds a day.
- Workshop stored responses for common teaching challenges (bonus points if you do this with your colleagues).
In a nutshell, your success hinges far more on what you do today than a milestone you might pass later on.
Keep fighting that good fight,
P.S. School holidays can be a good time to catch up on all those things that slip away from us during the school term, which is why I’ve reserved 20 free School Culture Strategy Session spots with one of our Expert Facilitators during April. In less than 60 minutes, we’ll work together on the culture of your school and develop an action plan you can get started on right away.
Valued at $175 – be one of the first 20 to reply to this email with “I’ll take the freebie!” and we’ll book you right in!
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