I Hope This Works: Making the Most of Every Opportunity

When nothing is at risk, trying new ways and extolling innovation is like kids play. That makes it easy to talk about a growth mindset, school transformation, and disruptive strategies.

As educators, our decisions carry significant weight, impacting not only ourselves but also those around us. This is not a rehearsal—we're living in the moment, facing experiences that can profoundly influence people's lives.

Every aspect of schools and learning is being challenged to adapt to new realities. In response, we bring a renewed energy and a willing spirit that is ideally more thoughtful than just hopeful. In times like these, our adaptability and resilience empower us to make the most of every opportunity!

He is the best man who, when making his plans,
fears and reflects on everything that can happen
to him, but in the moment of action is bold. 
— Herodotus 

Vacation experiences are relaxing, but they can also be sources of inspiration. As the grandkids were playing in the sand at our favorite beach this summer, I noticed they wanted to solve a problem: Building a sandcastle doesn't work if the walls keep collapsing.

So one suggested adding water to the bucket of sand to harden it before flipping it over onto the base. After reaching a mutual agreement, seawater was then collected and poured into the sand-filled bucket as they gathered to see the result. Ready to flip, Naomi smiled and exclaimed: I hope this works! 

Hope and wisdom combined with a boldness to act is a powerful combination that serves the educator well.

There are risks and costs to action. 
But they are far less than the long 
range risks of comfortable inaction. 
— John F. Kennedy

None of us manage time—we can only productively prioritize and then daily practice the disciplines of personal and professional development that enable better results.

The intensity of the school schedule and unending distractions make it even harder to stick with our priorities, but our deeply rooted faith and a love for people keep us going. Clarity regarding our core beliefs and values enables greater perspective and courage.

Knowing the power of our influence,
we show up,
we stand up, and
we make our mind up.

Making prudent decisions is crucial for growth at every level of education, so we creatively and persistently expand our options to seek out better advice and options.

Be very careful, then, how you live—
not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity  
— Ephesians 5:15-16a

Some opportunities arrive with clarity, while others require discernment to see them. Our pace of life significantly influences our vision. When we're moving fast with urgency, the people and needs around us become more of a blur. 

Don't miss those opportunities for generosity and kindness to grow as a servant leader.

Don't miss those opportunities to spend time with the Creator because, in those quiet moments, He shapes our desires and fills our deepest needs so that we have even more to give.

Don't miss those opportunities to innovate and create something new, even when everyone around may be questioning sanity. 

Don't miss those opportunities to learn and improve, embracing changes that will advance the mission and culture.

Make the most of every opportunity, my friend, steadily developing the habits and mindset that enable you to be bold in action.