GRIT

A few years ago, I attended a leadership academy sponsored by the district.  I was nervous to venture beyond my campus but was excited to learn in a different capacity.  Before the first meeting started, everyone was chatting and introducing themselves.  Every person I met was talented, smart, and seemed to be the ideal leader in a group of leaders.  I remember cowering away, thinking to myself that I was definitely not of the same caliber as my fellow professionals.  I started second guessing my decision to attend and wondering if I should silently drop out of the meetings to come.  No one would remember me or even notice that I was gone.  Finally the meeting started, and our fearless leader began with one word: GRIT!

Grit changed my mind that day.  I decided that I was a person who had grit and that I may not know everything or have the most experience, but I was there to  learn and hard work counts for something.  I attended every session after that day, pushing myself to reach beyond my comfort zone.  It was one of the most fulfilling and challenging professional development experiences that I ever had.     For the next few months, I enveloped myself with this word and it's meaning.  I found myself teaching my class about grit and how it could mold their classroom experience.  I went on pinterest and found posters and quotes that embodied the meaning of Grit. One of my favorites was: "Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard."  I wanted my kids to understand that success is attainable if they are willing to put in the work.

I challenge you!  Think about GRIT and see if it changes your mind too!