JumpStart Year 3! (9/3/24)

QUOTE:  All I know is that my life is better when I assume people are doing their best." (Brene Brown)

MESSAGE:  As I’m thinking about launching into the new year, I find myself asking, “What’s a simple practice that could have a significant impact for the entire year?”  
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>>Assume the best - in people and in situations.<<

The idea that your thoughts and intentions can influence the course of your day, week, even life is not new.  It’s been explored by people from philosophers to scientists for centuries.

Often, when we make mistakes, we have a tendency to blame the situation or the other people rather than take responsibility.  And in a choice between situation or other people?  We have a tendency to lay blame on the other’s personality rather than the situation.  

When your soda goes missing from the faculty room fridge, you might immediately assume that someone stole it on purpose.  However, if you consider the possibility that they thought it was theirs, or they needed it for a diabetic student, you can approach the situation with more empathy and understanding.

This is due to the Fundamental Attribution Error which postulates that we have a tendency to overemphasize personality traits (internal) over situational influences (external).

This year, let’s apply another psychological concept, The Law of Attraction, which states that like attracts like. Don’t confuse this with toxic positivity where some people live all sunny on the outside but dark and judge-y on the inside. Actually putting good stuff out into the universe takes trust, intention, and deep self- and social-awareness about what’s actually right and needed. It also takes patience because the results aren’t usually immediate.

THIS WEEK, TRY THIS:  Try reframing a negative interaction with a co-worker this week.  Other than some negative personality trait of theirs that could have prompted the conflict, what else could be the reason?

EDUCATOR RESOURCE:  What Will You Do With Your Power? - Full-day workshop facilitated by Chanelle Walker, our keynote presenter from the 2024 Directions Conference in June.
In this workshop we go in depth into educator resilience, educator preservation vs. retention, and the purpose-driven professional. This workshop is designed based on evidence based research regarding those educators who stay in the profession more than 10 years and report a high job satisfaction rate. 

DAD JOKE:  What happens when a microscope crashes with a telescope?  they kaleidoscope.

I’m excited and honored to be back with everyone for another year.  Many have told me that you find this newsletter beneficial (even though I know you’re here for the Dad Joke, and that’s OK!).  I appreciate all of you - let me know how I can help you this year
~Matt
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