Old Dog, New Tricks

You try something new.  It doesn't go as planned.  What do you do?  You have a few options...

a) Never do it again. Complain to everyone you know and brag about how you knew it wouldn't work.
b) Keep trying until you're blue in the face, without making changes, determined to make it work.
c) Evaluate, learn from your mistakes, make adjustments, try again.

You CAN teach an old dog new tricks...but it will take time.  Be patient. 
(By the way...you're the dog.)

Graduation: The Beginning

Being an educator and living on a college campus, I have the privilege of attending many graduations.  To be honest, I used to hate it.  It's a formality.  It's not required.  You don't even get your diploma on that day.  As a spectator, you sit and listen to people talk for over an hour until your friend/family has their name called as they walk across the stage for 5 seconds.  What a way to spend an afternoon!

My Sister Ashley

Close

However, the farther I get into the field of education the more and more graduation is growing on me.  I might even say I enjoy it.  I like to imagine all of the amazing things that are going to be accomplished by the people in the caps and gowns.  I like to think about all of the problems that could be solved by the people with the tassels and cords.  I like to think about how far each has come from their freshmen year or even middle school years.

Graduation itself is not a life-changing experience.  It is a celebration of the life-changing events that graduates have experienced. 

Another reason I like graduation is that it serves as both an end and a beginning.  The ceremony is often called the commencement.  The root of that word being commence, which means start or begin.  As people graduate from high school, college, or graduate programs, they may be finished with their degree but they are beginning something new.  They now have new knowledge, new perspectives, new goals, new opportunities.  How exciting to be a graduate!

As you attend graduation ceremonies as a participant or a spectator, remember that you are not there for entertainment.  You are there to celebrate, support, dream, and begin!

What's The Plan Stan?

I was in the gym the other day and my friend Andrew asked me what I was doing.  (Obviously I was working out but he was asking about my exercise routine.)  I briefly told him about the 4 week plan that I am currently doing from Men's Health Magazine.  Andrew said, "You're into plans aren't you?"  I quickly answered yes but I have been thinking about it ever since. 

I am into plans.  In my experience, plans work.  And even if plans don't work, you are probably better off than you would be without one.  I like workout plans because they remind me what to do everyday so that I can push myself to get better.  When the plan is over I am able to see its effectiveness based on my strength and endurance.  Without a workout plan, I would just go hang out in the gym and not get any stronger.

I like plans for other areas of my life. 

I have a plan for my finances (combo between Dave Ramsey and Robert Kiyosaki).  I have a plan for my education (read 2 books each month until I begin my PhD).  The purpose of this post is not to tell you about my plans but rather to say that I have learned that the old saying "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" is definitely true.  I have a plan for my marriage, career, health, life, future, and pretty much anything you can think of. 

Do my plans always work?  Absolutely not.  And when they don't, I simply check out the situation and make a new plan. 

Unfortunately, many people spend more time planning the wrong things. 
People spend more time planning their wedding than their marriage. 
People spend more time on the plans for their new house and than the plans for paying for it. 
People spend more time planning a week long vacation than they do the next 5 years of their life.  People spend more time planning a meal than they do planning their health.
People spend more time planning a toddler's birthday party that they won't remember than planning to develop their character, let alone their college fund.

Plans work.  What's your plan?

What's It Going To Take?

What is it going to take for you to make a change for the better?  

Are you going to wait until you get a doctor's diagnosis before you start exercising & eating healthy? 
Are you going to wait until you go bankrupt before you start living within your means? 
Are you going to wait until you get fired before you look for the job you really want? 
Are you going to wait for the divorce papers before you work on your marriage? 
Are you going to wait until the funeral before you apologize?
Are you going to wait until mandatory rehab before you face your addiction? 
Are you going to wait to get hurt again before you ask for help? 
Are you going to wait until you're good enough before you ask God to change your life? 

I mean I guess you could wait before you make the change.  Or you could save some heartache, pain, tears, and time and go ahead and make the change now. 

Why wait for good health, financial security, purpose, great marriage, freedom, safety, and Love when you can make the choices to change for the better today!

What's The Weather Like?

My wife and I had dinner with some friends of ours tonight.  Yes, they are old enough to be our grandparents but they are funny, wise, kind, great Christian role models.  We like to hang out with them when we can. 

We have a lot of people we like to spend time with but we make sure to spend time with people wiser and more experienced than us so that we may learn from them.  They also claim that we help keep them young but I think they do a pretty good job on their own.

Two paragraphs from Donald Miller's book Father Fiction paint a wonderful picture of why this is necessary.

I was on a plane a few years ago, flying from Chicago to Portland, and happened to plug my headphones into the jack on the armrest.  On a plane, you can sometimes listen to the radio transmissions coming in and out of the cockpit.  I was curious about what pilots say to each other so, like a good geek, I listened for a while.  It turns out, most of the transmissions are about weather and whether or not the plane is heading for choppy air.  The pilot would radio to a plane that was en route an hour or so ahead of us and get a report on what kind of turbulence they were experiencing; then would turn and radio the plane that had just taken off in Chicago to explain what sort of air we were fling through at the moment.  They system was primitive, but intelligent.

It occurred to me, listening to the pilots talk to each other, how much this is like life.  I could see it clearly, the fact that in life there are people being born, just as others are passing away.  And all the way through life, the guys who are twenty years ahead are teaching the guys twenty years behind what kind of weather they will be encountering at whatever stage of life they happen to be living in.

Do you have older, wiser, experienced people speaking into your life?  If not, I challenge you to find someone by next week.

Life as a Principal

I love my job!

I am a middle school assistant principal.  It is safe to say that my job is never boring. 

On any given day I could be...

a judge making decisions regarding consequences for poor behavior.
a crime scene investigator, checking survilliance cameras.
a detective questioning witnesses and doing background checks.
a teacher covering a class if there is not a substitute.
a janitor cleaning up the cafeteria in between lunches.
a bouncer breaking up physical altercations.
a counselor mediating girl drama.
an instructional leader providing strategies to teachers...I wish I could do this more :(
a mentor helping students make better life decisions.
a coach giving kids pointers during lunch recess.

And all of this could happen before lunch! (except for the lunch recess one of course)

Of course, there are also things I don't like about my job but I think this is true for everyone and every job. You have to choose to focus on the good, invest in those around you, and keep showing up. 

Education Reform

Interesting thoughts on Education in the 21st Century.


What do you think about it?

Emotional Bank Account

Everyone has an emotional bank account. 

Every time you say or do something positive for someone you make a deposit.  A compliment, words of encouragement, thank you card, act of service, and the like are all examples of making a deposit into someones emotional bank account.

However, when you say or do something negative you make a withdraw from their emotional bank account.  When you speak harshly, use sarcasm, make rude comments, gossip, lie, or hurt someone in any way that would be a withdraw. 

In life, withdraws will happen.  You are going to have to speak the truth in love or make a tough decision that may hurt someone's feelings.  The important thing is that you have made enough deposits that the inevitable withdraws don't cause emotional bankruptcy for someone.

In 2011 I challenge you to enrich the lives of your family, friends, students, coworkers, and even strangers by making numerous deposits in their emotional bank accounts.  You can make people rich without spending a dime!

(Emotional Bank Account concept by Steven Covey)

Fruits of Labor

Lately my wife Katy and I have been "fixing up" a house.  New paint, carpet, tile, light fixtures, deep cleaning, etc...  It has been so rewarding to watch our progress.  We remember what it looked like and smelled like in the beginning and have worked hard to develop it into the end product that we pictured in our minds.

This isn't something we get to do very often.  Not fixing up a house but getting to see a whole project come together.  As educators we rarely get to see the end product.  My wife works with college students and I with middle schoolers and although they are not "fixer uppers" (I guess some of them are), they are still developing as young men and women.  Yes we remember what they looked like (and smelled like) when they came to us and yes we are able to see some progress. Unfortunately, we rarely get to see the final product as the students are still developing as they move on to the next stage in their lives.

I can speak from experience and say that the feeling you get when you create something from start to finish is rewarding, whether it be fixing up a house, knitting a scarf, making a video, writing a book, making a craft, etc...  However, it is only a fraction as rewarding as getting the opportunity to see a successful student that you have poured your life into. 

Being educators (or parents, pastors, managers, supervisors, mentors, or any leader really), we rarely get to see the fruits of our labor.  But when we do, it sure makes all the time, effort, and energy worthwhile and fuels us to continue to work with the students we have, while we have them.

Help Yourself

I don't get to travel as much as I would like, but I have been on airplanes enough to have their spiel memorized.  You know the seat belt, emergency exits, oxygen mask, no smoking, stay seated, seat-back and tray table speech.

I always found it interesting when the flight attendants tell you to secure your oxygen mask on yourself before attempting to help anyone else.

I have come to realize how important this way of thinking actually is.  It is so important to take care of myself so that I can take care of others.  Sure, I may save someone's life by helping them with their oxygen but if I don't put mine on first, it may be the last person I am able to help.

In the world of go, go, go that we live in it is always difficult to find time for you.  I'm not suggesting that we overindulge in self pampering or retail therapy.  I am saying that it is important to set aside time on a regular basis to make sure you are spiritually, physically, and mentally healthy.

Somewhere in your busy schedule is 30 minutes for you to exercise.  Maybe not every day but probably at least 3 days a week.   Ask a friend to join you and hold you accountable so both can stay physically healthy.

You can also find an hour on the weekend to attend church or participate in a Bible study.  With church online (www.lifechurch.tv) you can have a church experience any day of the week.

In order to stay mentally healthy your brain must be challenged.  This can be done by reading books, blogs, magazines, educational television, or participating in healthy conversations.  This can be as little as 15 minutes a day.

The reality is this.  You will not be able to take care of others if you do not take the time to take care of yourself.  Don't wait for an emergency to decide to start.



How do you take care of yourself?

The Who, What, When, Why, & How of Blogging

I never thought I would be a blogger.  In fact, thought it was pointless and secretly made fun of blogging.  The next thing I know, I have been blogging for 6 months and this is my 70th blog post!  Here is the Who, What, Where, When, & Why of blogging.

WHY blog?  There are countless reasons to blog.  Here is why I do it.  There are lessons that I have learned that have changed me for the better.  By blogging, I can share these lessons with others so that they may be changed for the better as well.  Share the things that make your life better.

WHAT to write about?  Blog about what you know.  Everybody has something they know a lot about and enjoy talking about.  Whatever that is for you, why not take the conversation online?  You don't have to be an expert, just write what you know.  A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer.  It sings because it has a song.  Start singing! 

WHO reads blogs?  Blogs are the new magazines.  Eventually you are going to attract some followers.  Maybe it's friends and family but maybe it spreads to people you've never met.  These people are reading because they not only like what you have to say but enjoy the topic.  I have learned this the hard way by blogging about some random stuff and losing people's interest.  Just stick to what you know.

WHEN to blog?  Often.  If you want people to read your blog then it is helpful to blog regularly.  When I first started, I blogged about every other day.  Due to some writers block and a busy schedule I have been blogging about once a week.  Because of this, my blog traffic has been cut in half.  Learn from my mistakes and blog consistently. 

Tip - Just Write.  There are times when I feel like writing and sometimes I don't.  Sometimes I feel good about a post and sometimes I don't.  The interesting thing is this:  Some of the posts that I feel good about get zero response while the ones I feel bad about get a lot of comments.  The point of this is that you never know who might need to hear what you have to say.  So stop trying to make it perfect and just write!

HOW to advertise?  Share it on Facebook and Twitter.  Over 80% of the people that read my blog do so via Facebook and 10% via Twitter.  Without sharing my blog on Facebook and Twitter I would lose 90% of my readers. Enough said.  However, even if nobody reads your blog, you will be surprised at the benefits you will personally receive by going through the process.


Do you blog?  Why or why not?

Characteristic of Great Teachers & Learners

HOW TO BE A GREAT TEACHER:

Great teachers have this scientific, yet artistic ability to make all material and information relevant to students.  Great history teachers scientifically know that students are more likely to remember information when it is built onto or related to something they already know.  So he or she may artistically paint a mental picture of Boston Celtic Kevin Garnet participating in the Boston Tea Party.  In the same way, Great English teachers use the poetry of the Black Eyed Peas to get students interested before introducing them to Shakespeare. The examples are endless.

HOW TO BE A GREAT LEARNER:

Unfortunately, not everyone is a great teacher and even great teachers have their off days.  Not to mention it would be foolish to think that any teacher, preacher, or leader can make everything relevant to every single person, every time.   Therefore it is your responsibility to take the information and relate it to yourself.  This should be easy since you know you better than anyone!

Great learners make new information relevant on their own.  A great learner will take any new information and figure out how it applies to them or at least how they can remember it if necessary.  A parent that is a great learner can take a business model and apply it to his/her life and use it to improve their family model.  A salesman that is a great learner can take a sermon about being fishers of men and apply it to his/her business and improve sales.  Any person that is a great learner can take nearly anything and find a way to learn something from it.

Lucky for everyone, this is not a gift that you either have or don't have.  It is a skill that can be learned with a little extra effort on your part. The key is having this attitude of "what can I learn from this and how can I apply it to my life" while you're listening or reading.

Let's start now.  What did you learn from this post? How can you apply it to your life?

Life Lessons From P90X

I'm a big fan of P90X.  The program works for 2 main reasons, which I think can be applied to other areas of our lives.

1.  Consistency -  The 90 represents days.  If you consistently exercise for 90 days in a row you are bound to see some results.

This can be applied in all areas of life.  If you want to increase your knowledge of something, consistently study it for 90 days.  If you want to strengthen your spiritual life, pray consistently for 90 days.  If you want to improve your relationship with someone, serve and pursue them for 90 days.  Consistently doing anything on a daily basis will create positive habits to get the results you desire.

2.  Variety -   The P90X program works because it is designed around muscle confusion.  Basically, it works out the same muscle in different ways.  So instead of simply doing bench press to build your chest you would do a variety of exercises including multiple types of push-ups, dumb-bell presses, yoga holds, Kenpo karate moves, and other chest exercises that you've never heard of before.

If we keep doing the same stuff we will keep getting the same results.  When you read, make it a point to read a variety of books, blogs, and magazines.  Switching between fiction, christian, business, occupational, leadership, health, and other topics keeps your mind sharp as you think in different ways.  When you pray, do so in a variety of ways including silently, aloud, written, alone, with someone, while driving, showering, running, etc...  When spending time with someone, grab dinner, an early breakfast, go on a walk, exercise, attend a concert or museum, create something, go on a road trip, or just be adventurous.  You are still spending time with the same person, but by doing so in a variety of ways you are strengthening the relationship.

Learn from the success of P90X.  What do you need to be more consistent with?  How can you add variety to areas of your life?

Mental Exercise

This statement could not be more true.

Walking, running, lifting weights, hiking, biking, swimming, P90X, etc... are all ways to improve your physical health.  For those that are in great physical shape, these exercises are done on a regular basis to keep the body fresh.  If you want muscle strength it is important to challenge your body as muscles do not grow unless they are pushed to their limits.

Reading, writing, blogging, listening, problem solving, creating, analyzing, etc... are all ways to improve your intellectual health.  For those that are in great intellectual shape, these exercises are done on a regular basis to keep the mind fresh.  If you want brain strength it is important to challenge your mind as your mind does not grow unless it is pushed to the limit.  

Are you more physically fit or intellectually fit?  How can you improve on one and still maintain strength in the other?

Use It Or Lose It!

If you're like me (and I know I am) you learn something new everyday.  Part of that is because I truly am addicted to learning so I seek out ways to learn new things as much as possible.  The other part has to do with being human and facing personal, professional, social, and spiritual challenges on a regular basis.

The problem is putting what I learn into practice.  I may hear something profound in a sermon, at a conference, or from a mentor or friend and want to come back and put that into practice...but never do.  I might read something in a book, blog, or on twitter that totally changes my perspective...for a few minutes.  Then I start doing something else, get back into my routine, and forget all about it. 

Here are a few things that have helped me remember what I learn.

1.  Apply it to you.  Great teachers make information relevant to students.  Great students make information relevant on their own.  Think about how this new information connects to what you already know.

2.  Summarize it.  It's hard to remember everything. Constantly be looking or listening for the main idea, the one thing you can take away from any book, conference, lesson, sermon, etc...

3.  Use it or lose it!  If you don't use what you have learned within 48 hours, chances are you will lose it.  

4.  Tell someone.  When you tell someone what you learned it does a few things.  It helps you remember because you have to put it in your own words.  It helps you decide if you agree with it enough to put your name on the idea.  It also makes you think more about it if someone begins to ask questions.  Many people believe you truly haven't mastered a subject or skill until you have taught it.

You learn something new everyday.  Do something with it!

The Most Complex Profession

I heard this story today at a conference and I had to share.

A well known educator was speaking at a conference.  Her topic of discussion was how teaching is the most complex profession.  She provided personal experiences, cited research, and told many stories to support the fact that teachers have the most complex profession.

When she finished, a well dressed man approached her.  The man provided positive feedback to her presentation but disagreed with one thing.  The conversation went something like this:

Man:  I enjoyed your presentation but I believe I have the most complex profession.
Teacher:  Really?  What do you do?
Man:  I am a brain surgeon.
Teacher:  Wow.  That is complex.  Okay.  Let me ask you a few questions.  When you are performing a surgery, how many people do you work on at a time?
Man:  Well just one.
Teacher:  Teachers work on 20 - 35 brains at a time. 
Teacher:  I'm sure there are other reasons though.  Let me ask you this.  What state of mind are your "subjects" in when you are performing brain surgery on them?
Man:  Well....they are under heavy anesthesia so they are unconscious.
Teacher:  I can guarantee you that some teachers wish those 20-35 students were under heavy anesthesia while working on their brains.
Teacher:  Let me ask you one more question.  How many people do you have helping you perform this brain surgery?  
Man:  I have 11 people on my surgical team.
Teacher:  You see sir.  While you are working on one brain of an unconscious person with the help of 11 people, Teachers are working on approximately 30 brains of very conscious students with usually no help at all.  
Man:  You're right.  Teaching is the most complex profession.

I don't think this story takes away from any other profession.  However, I do think it shows the complexity of teaching.  Many people think they know what its like to teach because they went to school for 12-16 years.  Just because you had brain surgery doesn't mean you know what its like to be a brain surgeon.

Teachers have slowly lost respect over the years.  Somewhere along the way we started believing the word of the elementary student over the word of a professional.  If we want better public schools for our kids then we have to develop and instill that level of respect for teachers, schools, and education in general.  It has to start somewhere.  It might as well be with you.

It's Never Too Early

Advice is great.  It helps people learn from the successes and failures of others.  It is great to learn from people that have been in your situation or have experienced what you are about to experience. 
The only problem with advice is that people usually wait too long to ask for it.  People are either in denial or they are so sure that they are the only ones in history that are facing their current issue that they are embarrassed to ask.

If you want to stay on top, if you want to be the best spouse, employee, employer, parent, friend, teacher, coach, player, anything... then you must learn to ask for advice before you need it.  It is better to ask how to have a successful marriage before having to ask how to salvage one.  It is better to ask how to stay healthy as you age rather than how to lose 100 pounds.  It is better to ask how you can better do your job rather than asking what you could have done better when you lose it.  It is better to ask how to stay out of debt than to ask how to get out of it.  My former boss and current mentor called this getting a checkup rather than an autopsy.  Perfect example!

Please understand that it is never to late to ask for help.  But it is also never too early to ask for advice.  Keep learning, growing, seeking, asking, searching, and striving.  

The Myth of Multitasking

It is cool to be a multitasker these days.  Many people have so many things to do that they feel like they need to do them all at the same time in order to finish.  Some really have too much to do while others just like to feel important.

The reality is multitasking is impossible.  The human brain cannot effectively do 2 or more tasks at the same time.   Those that are good multitaskers are actually good switchers, meaning the ability to quickly switch from one task to another.

For example, my Dad pretends like he can read the paper, watch tv, and have a conversation at the same time.  Now although it may seem like he is doing all of those at once, he is actually switching from task to task. (Which he does quite well.)

You may be someone that can talk on the phone, check your e-mail, cook dinner, and watch your kids all at the same time.  Although you may have 4 or 5 "tasks" going on, you are only doing one of them at a time.  You stop talking on the phone while you read your e-mail.  You stop watching your kids while you are browning the meat.  You let the water boil over while you are checking Facebook. 

Multitasking or "switching" is an important skill to learn as long as you remember 2 things.
1. Be Respectful - When people are involved it is important to make them feel important.  Stop everything and listen to what they have to say.  If you only have 3 minutes then tell them you only have 3 minutes.
2. Focus First - First, take time to focus on each task and complete it so you can do it to the best of your ability.  You'll be impressed with yourself when you knock out your to-do list.  Multitask the rest of your list if necessary.

(Sidenote:  Multitasking is only good when one of the tasks is mindless or takes a while to complete.  My wife reads while blow-drying her hair.  My friend listens to audiobooks while on his commute.  I check e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter while in the bathroom....oh don't even act like you don't do the same!)

28 Things I Learned in Costa Rica

My wife and I just returned from a mission trip in the mountains Costa Rica.  We served at Camp Roblealto with 5 other families through Pine Cove ONE:8 Trips.  Here are a few of the many things that I learned.

1.  Volcanoes are indescribably beautiful.
2.  Daily rain makes everything greener.
3.  A smile is multilingual. 
4.  Beans and Rice are good at every meal when you're hungry.
5.  There is not a good way to take a cold shower.
6.  I'm so thankful for the plumbing and sewage system in the USA.
7.  A 5 year old boy is a 5 year old boy, no matter what country or culture.
8.  Justin Bieber is somehow a global icon.
9.  You can communicate a lot through hand gestures and body language.
10.  My way is the best way for me, but not others.
11.  God's grace is needed around the world.
12.  I have way to many clothes and shoes.
13.  Being wasteful is disrespectful.
14.  A handmade gift means more than a store-bought gift.
15.  You grow closer to the people that share your struggles.
16.  I rely on my plans too much and God's plans too little.
17.  Costa Rican coffee is delicious.
18.  It is better to experience the rainforest in the trees than on the ground.
19.  There is freedom in going a week without looking in the mirror.
20.  I need to learn how to do more with less rather than less with more.
21.  There are more important things that I should be doing than watching TV.
22.  Facebook is revolutionary!

23.  Kids can impact the lives of others just as well as adults.
24.  Religion keeps a lot of people from experiencing God.
25.  Singing praise songs in 2 languages is better than in one.
26.  Serving is a great way to break down cultural and language barriers.
27.  Saying hello is much easier than saying goodbye.
28.  God answers prayer in all languages and is active in all cultures.

A Million Miles...

I just read the book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz).  It was by far the best book I have read in a while.  Without giving you a summary, here are a few reasons why I liked it and think you will too.

1.  It's an easy read.  This book just kept flowing and I couldn't put it down.  I read the whole thing on a round trip flight.  Although the reading is light the writing is very deep.  I promise that will make sense once you read it.

2.  It's thought provoking.  While reading through the authors story you can't help but reflect and examine your own story.

3.  It's challenging.  You can learn how to create a better story for yourself and your family.  It's like reading a self-help book in story form and much more entertaining.

4.  It's funny.  Donald Miller's writing style is very conversational and people looked at me as I laughed out loud on the plane while reading it.

5.  It's sad.  I didn't cry but my throat got a little lumpy once or twice.

I could go on but I would rather you read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller.  Hit up Barnes and Noble or check it out at your local library. 


Learning is a Drug.  Get Addicted.