We all have fears – it’s what has kept us alive as a species. When early man saw the sizable sabre toothed feline coming over the hill, fear worked for him. If he ran fast enough, he lived. If fear didn’t kick in, he was early meow mix. It was that simple. Fear still plays a big part in the survival of the race BUT it also can be a stalling point for humans as individuals. Because of fear, we can slip onto lives of comfort and complacency, living lives that are not maximized. In honesty, that would be MY biggest fear, a life not lived.
Do you know people who have not simply hunkered down in COVID but in life? They’ve fallen into the compliancy and routine of life and their groove has slowly but surely become a rut. They can’t even see over the edges it’s so deep. They wake up, shower, go to work, come home, eat dinner, watch tv and go to bed. Repeat this groove regularly with a few movies and dinners out a year and you’ve got yourself a pretty deep rut.
My encouragement now is to make plans – big plans. Think of something that you’ve always wanted to do and set a plan to do it in small manageable steps. Make a list and check the steps off as you go. It’s highly satisfying! Thinking of a trip to Costa Rica? Watch some YouTube videos – check. Look up Airbnb’s – check. Make a list of things to pack – check. The checking gets you closer and closer to your fantasy trip and it’ll seem easier and easier if you break it down. Baby steps.
Here’s the biggest reminder though. Book it with some of your favorite people. Not only will you hold each other up to be brave enough to do it, most of the fun will be because you’re doing it with like minded people! In my experience, it’s not necessarily what you do but who you do it with that puts the story in the adventure. Laughter, groans and the full human experience will be shared with some of your best people.
The same goes for your classroom. Sometimes, trying something out of the ordinary in your practice can be frightening. Will the kids get out of control? Will they learn what they need? Will this cause ME undo stress? All the questions that come from stepping out of the groove of your practice arise So, just like an adventure, use the baby steps. This week, change the seating arrangement, next week, try a little more group work, next month, try scaffolding a little group project. Step out from the depths of your groove and try a fresh approach, it may be the exact shake up you need in your career.
Do it once and I truly believe that the world will open up for you., The next time you do it, you’ll be a bit braver so it’ll be a little easier and you’ll get to know that you have great people to do it with and, you may just inspire others to join the adventure. That’s my goal – to inspire through living.
Keep on learning – stretch your self!
Dave
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