The seasons are changing. The last of the winter decorations in my home have been put away. I am ready to dive into spring! I am anxious for the landscape in Iowa to transform before my eyes. Watching the trees bud, plants sprout and grass turn green are a few of my favorite things. We’ve set our clocks ahead. Checked our smoke detector batteries. And now it’s time for some reflection so we can continue to LEARN and GROW.
Last night I attended the #iaedchat on Twitter. The topic was “Inside the Mind of Successful Leaders.” I enjoy connecting with fellow educators in Iowa and around the globe each Sunday evening. Today I wanted to share one question in particular posed by #iaedchat moderators @casas_jimmy, @Aaron_Becker32, and @mwdegner.
A simple fill-in-the-blank question caused a lot of reflection among chat participants. I have been reflecting on more today.
The question was ….
I use to think ___, now I think___.
It has caused me to reflect on how I have adjusted my sails! Here are just a few. I know I will continue to have other!
- I use to think I needed to have all the answers, now I think we can find the answers together.
- I use to think leadership was a title, now I think it is a frame of mind. We are all leaders. We can all empower and inspire others.
- I use to think I was not a very good writer, now I know I have a voice and the world is waiting for my contribution.
- I use to think failure or rejection meant there was something wrong with me, now I embrace it, stay determined and grow from the experience and try again.
- I use to think I didn’t have time for things like Twitter and blogging, now I need them to push my thinking, connect with the world and learn in the 21st century.
I love the idea for your post. My professor in my grad class had us working in groups talking about a coaching/ leadership book and the culminating activity was to write on a poster I used to think___ , but now I think__________. I plan to write a slice using this.
What coaching/leadership book(s) were you reading? That’s my favorite topic!! I think the sentence frame has a lot of uses! I’m glad I sparked an idea for a “slice.” I know I’m always on the look out for ideas, too! I look forward to your post!
Kathy
Loved your post! Very inspiring.
Thank you, Sonja. I appreciate your comment.
Kathy
I used to be afraid of being a bad writer. Now I think it’s ok to be a beginner. Thanks for the thinking. And the description of spring. I bet it’s beautiful in Iowa.
There is no final destination for a writer. Its a journey. I use to have a deep phobia of writing. I become more comfortable by forcing myself to write, no matter how I feel about it.
Spring will be coming soon. A little snow is predicted for tomorrow – but luckily it won’t last long.
Kathy
I like this a whole lot! I don’t have any wise or witty comments to throw in the blanks at the moment, but I know I’ll be thinking about it off and on over the next few days…
Maybe: I used to think I could do it all, but now I know I need help. OR I used to think I could do it all, but now I know I can’t do it all AT ONCE. 🙂
very thought provoking–thank you!
Thanks, Kate. I like your “I use to think _____, now I think ______ statement. So true. I use to think the same, but now know together is better!
Kathy