I came across a picture on time hop today of a lil’giftie I handed out on my first day in a new job, many years ago. It was an out of the classroom job, and genuinely where I thought I wanted to be, professionally. I was so excited about joining a new team, all bright-eyed and bushy tailed. 
I’ll never forget the utter defeat I felt when several of the more seasoned professionals in said new department brought the cans back down to my cubicle, announcing they “didn’t have time for “cutesie” things like this”. The derision in their tone was PALPABLE.
It took a year and a half of those kinds of moments, those kinds of defeats before I would make a move that put me back into a setting where I could breathe. Where I could be myself. Where I could feel successful.
As we gear up for a new school year, if you find yourself in a place where you aren’t happy or feel like you can’t breathe… take heart. There is a place for you, where you can feel purposeful, and like it’s where you’re meant to be. Mine came mid-year. I kept my head up and treated every day like it was a job interview. I honed my skills and narrowed my professional intentions. I connected with George Couros, who changed my life and introduced me to a connected world that gave me all kinds of opportunities, relationships, and friends. When an opportunity came up, I was ready.
Don’t start the year sad or discouraged about where you are.
Encouragingly &
Love you, Friend! God is using you in mighty ways!! Glad I can watch from the sidelines!
LU2, KB! I treasure our friendship…you’ve been on this journey with me a LONG time! 🙂
Even for those of us happy with our environment this is a fantastic reminder and I’m glad you shared. We should always treat each day as a special opportunity to impact and change lives.
I love that theory! Thanks, Josh! 🙂
What a great reminder & love this post! Hope you have a wonderful school year and see the good!
This got me today! I have gone back to the high school level as an assistant principal after being an administrator at an elementary school for 20 years. I cannot tell you how excited I am about the change. I loved my elementary co-workers and students, but I really needed a change. This is just one of the many “God winks” that have made my decision the right one.
Thanks!
Love this post. It is so true and the perfect reminder as I start the new year with staff today.