Colleagues,
MVP: Avoid distractions and focus on what is important. Two years ago, I had a vision for a greenhouse. I was inspired by a friend who gave me a bunch of large tempered glass panels and I set about designing something that was way too complicated. In May 2021 I dismantled my old greenhouse, which was some 5mil plastic wrapped around scrap wood, and set about building my new greenhouse. The project was beset with problems, and I did not have an operational greenhouse until June this year, way too late to help with the 2022 growing season. Although my greenhouse now is serviceable (see photo evidence) there are lots of upgrades I have planned. The challenge for me is to focus on what is most important. The greenhouse is only one part of the garden, and if I don’t get rid of the young trees growing nearby, any upgrades will be useless as the greenhouse will be in constant shadow. I suffer from shiny object syndrome. I like to chase bright things, and they distract me from what is most important. Today’s intention: Check in with yourself. What are you chasing today? Are you chasing what is most important? Not urgent, but important. Cheers! Frederick
0 Comments
Colleagues,
MVP: Important issues are usually complex, so invest time uncovering the problem before treating the symptom. One lesson I learned from The Artist’s Way was to pay attention to synchronicity. When something similar happens several times, it is something I need to pay attention to. In the past seven days I have had interactions with school leaders around these things:
What’s the similarity? There are traditional approaches to solving these issues, but those approaches generally treat the symptom, not the problem. These are incredibly complex situation, and a formulaic approach isn’t the best way to move forward. Urgent leaders treat symptoms, but strategic leaders identify problems. Acting before discovering the problem is like throwing spaghetti at the wall to see if it will stick. All you wind up with is a bigger mess. Reflect on a significant challenge that you are facing:
If you feel like sharing, I would love to hear what your challenge is! Click here to reply! Today’s intention: Think about underlying causes before you act today. Begin by asking “why?” Cheers! Frederick Colleagues, MVP: A simple change in perspective can create dramatically different outcomes. Last week I was able to spend some time with Katy Deas, THE awesome instructional coach at Sandhills Middle School in Gaston, South Carolina. Katy shared with me the table below, which describes the difference for teachers of having a designer perspective versus an assessor perspective. The remarkable thing to reflect on is how a simple shift in perspective can dramatically change the outcome. The designer and assessor are working on the same tasks, but using a different approach, they achieve different results.
This is why intention is so important! Intentionality is one shift in perspective. From urgent to purposeful is the result. It is all about the little things! Little things, like the five strategies in our new guide, Be a Better Leader in 5 Minutes a Day! Click here to download the guide and here to forward this email to a colleague! Today’s intention: Think about a task you need to do today. How are you approaching that task? Is there a different perspective that might help you to create more value? Cheers! Frederick |
Categories
All
Archives
July 2024
|