Maintaining Excellence

Part III of Teach Like a Pirate affected my life both professionally and personally this week. Burgess's (2012) statement, "Realize that any time you say yes to something, you are saying no to something else" rang so true. I am one who finds it hard to say no to people, sometimes at my children's expense. 'Pick your kids up and scramble to find a ride home for one of mine because the car is full? Sure!' What was I thinking?!? I found repeating Burgess's words throughout the week. Every time I was about to commit to something, I stopped to think what I would also be saying no too. What a tremendous change in perspective for me.

The other words to live by I took from Teach Like a Pirate were "Get used to criticism". The more you step outside of the box the more you will become a target. Either grow from the criticism or ignore  and then move on! I had these words in the back of my mind when I was placing phone calls for a new program in town. They helped me to brush myself off and place the next call, keeping the focus on my passion not any negativity I received. Leo Babauta (March 2011) offers a specific way to handle criticism which could easily be applied to colleagues or students. He states, "After taking a minute to

calm myself down... I would respond and thank the commenter for his criticism. I'd acknowledge their point without being defensive. I'd respond with my reasoning, if I felt I had a point, or if the critic was right I would agree and let them know I was going to change things. Either way, I was grateful for their criticism. This had a startling effect: the commenter would often respond very positively. Thanking the commenter and acknowledging their point is disarming. People who leave rude comments don't expect you to listen to them, much less be grateful and empathetic." Babauta also shared an example of How not to handle criticism. I am sharing it now, not to bring further attention to this poor woman's unraveling, but rather as a reminder of how quickly things can spiral out of control. Take the moment the cool off and gain perspective! 

Next step, getting started.

"It's one of the most intimidating things. It's the lack of starting that kills most tasks and projects." (Babauta, 2011)

"Starting may well be one of the most difficult and under-appreciated skills of all." (Burgess, 2012)

"Thinking will not overcome fear but action will." (W. Clement Stone)

Apparently getting started is the toughest part. Bernadette Jiwa (2013) offers  eleven steps on how to start something. She echoes Burgess in stating you don't have to have it all figured out, 'sometimes enough just has to be enough'; ignore the naysayers and surround yourself with supporters; and do the work.

In order for me to maintain excellence I must just get started, give up perfectionism, remain aware of what I am saying yes or no to, and be prepared to brush myself off and pick myself up after failures or criticisms. 

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle



Aristotle. Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/aristotle145967.html


Babauta, L. (March, 2011). How to Start: zenhabits. Retrieved from http://zenhabits.net/begin/

Burgess, D. (2012) Teach Like a Pirate.

Jiwa, B. (2013) How to Start Something. The Story of Telling. Retrieved from http://thestoryoftelling.com/start-something/