With Each Step, We Grow

I know why some people choose to hold back from living their fullest potential. But, imagine if we all embraced who we are at the core and lived true to ourselves? A life without fear, a life without hesitation. I’m curious how the world would be different if our schools placed a greater emphasis on cultivating the strengths and interests of individuals and intentionally fostered empathy in learners? 

I look at my own two boys and I want them to be knowledgeable about all of the opportunities that exist before them. We live in such an amazing time where anything is possible if we take advantage of the opportunities available. My hope is that my boys avoid settling into a job someday if it’s not something that they’re driven to do. Ideally, I hope they grow to be thoughtful risk-takers. There are definitely pathways that are likely to be considered safe, while others require more support navigating. As a parent, my mind has been consumed with this topic lately as our eldest son will soon wrap up his sophomore year of high school. He has an immense passion for video production, design, and creation. In fact, he’s even designed his own website and a business plan–– none of which has been formally taught within a brick and mortar school. Although I’m probably a bit bias, he seems to have a natural knack for what he does. He’s completely self-taught through Youtube and studying the work of others he admires through reading, watching, and even listening to entrepreneurial podcasts . There’s a lot of raw talent that I hope he continues to refine and grow.  

“The big challenge is to become all that you have the possibility of becoming. You cannot believe what it does to the human spirit to maximize your human potential and stretch yourself to the limit.”

– Jim Rohn

Every Child Has Unique Strengths and Interests to Be Leveraged

It amazes me that my son has such a drive at just fifteen years old. As a mom, I want to support him to connect with the right people and the education to grow. However, I also often contemplate how much more growth he would make if he could incorporate video to demonstrate his understanding or summarize learning within content areas of his core classes. Video production is amazing within any subject. I think that the integration of it brings content to life and truly empowers learning, developing a deeper understanding of the subject. Every child has unique strengths and interests, and I believe that as educators we can be exposing them to a variety of experiences to develop interests. By incorporating the strengths and interests of learners into the classroom, we are helping them learn content in addition to growing themselves in diverse ways. Doing so creates opportunities for personalized learning that is unique to each individual. Each of us can seize opportunities for learners to leverage and incorporate their strengths and interests in the classroom. 

As a parent, I’m more concerned that my own children cultivate the essential skills to be engaged as a problem finder and solver, communicate effectively, listen with understanding, network, think flexibly, and demonstrate empathy for others as opposed to knowing facts or information that they may require for the span of a class. And, in this day and age, it’s growing ever more important to know how to discern credible information.

I want to be clear, I’m not saying that any one class isn’t necessary, I can’t argue that. However, I do believe that cultivating the future success skills and ensuring our learners are equipped for their future is essential. One of my biggest hopes as a parent (aside from health for my boys) is that they don’t settle. I want them to dream big and go after their goals–– to do so they need to know the opportunities that exist and how to connect with them and develop their abilities. 

Do We Hold Back Ourselves?

As individuals ourselves, how are we holding back? What do we dream of doing, yet opt to remain reserved rather than chasing our dreams? Sometimes people choose options that are safe because it’s comfortable, I can understand that. Risks can feel… risky, uncomfortable–– even scary. I would never recommend careless risks, but I do advocate for individuals to take thoughtful risks; those in which you take time to plan through goal setting and strategic follow through. 

Lyrics within the song, Waka Waka by Shakira, remind us that you can take control of your own journey:

“It’s your time to shine, don’t wait in line. This is your moment, no hesitation. Today’s your day, I feel it. You’ve paved the way, believe it.” 

-Shakira

Regardless of where you are on your journey, I encourage you to continue. With each step, we grow. People will doubt you and you are likely to doubt yourself. I’m sure my own children experience doubt, but my hope is that they continue to develop the strength to overcome internal self-doubt. No one is responsible for our success more than we are ourselves. If there’s a dream you’re inspired to go after, take time to set goals. Each step is progress toward growth. And with each step, celebrate your accomplishments, but don’t give in to self-doubt or criticism from others. I wish the same for you as I do my own boys, make your dreams a reality and embrace opportunities, don’t just sit back and wait for them to come to you.

Let’s strive to promote the growth of our learners by developing and recognizing both their strengths and interests and commit to modeling what it means to develop ourselves to reach our full potential.