This one will be quick, but I think it is very important. I hope you get something out of it!

Since I have moved into administration this year, I have had to deal with a few things at work that I have never dealt with before. I cannot go into the specifics out of respect for the confidentiality of those involved, but I can speak to my own personal experience.

With a couple of these situations, I specifically remember sitting in my building principal’s office, discussing next steps and potential outcomes and thinking to myself, “Man, I do not want to have to do this.” I’m just being honest with you. These situations were things I’ve never experienced, and I knew they were going to require very uncomfortable/difficult conversations with parents and teachers.

Thankfully, the story does not stop there. In both instances, I recognized the negative self-talk taking place in my mind, and I changed the narrative. I went from “Man, I do not want to have to do this” to “At the very least, I am going to get to learn how to _________, and that will be important for me as I continue to grow in this profession.” When I changed the narrative, I immediately became more confident in what I was doing. I immediately felt that awkward feeling in my gut begin to subside. I immediately felt my mood begin to perk up. All of a sudden, each of these “bad” situations became something “good” for me.

When it comes to “bad” or difficult situations, one of my friends/mentors, Joshua Medcalf, constantly says “This is an opportunity to learn and grow.” I’ve heard him say that a lot, and I’ve read it in his books. However, I honestly have not had to apply it that many times in my professional career. I have been very fortunate (debatable term) in that the number of really “bad” situations that I have had to deal with throughout the years has been very minimal.

However, as I have forced myself out of my comfort zone (coaching football) by taking on this new position (administrator), I find myself running into more and more of these difficult situations. I think that’s the whole point, right? As you step out of your comfort zone, you run into situations that you aren’t familiar with. Then you either grow through them, or you run back to your comfort zone and hide. Well, I’m not running, and neither should you.

What’s the point?

This is where we transition from “yeah, that sounds like a great idea” to “Oh man, I actually have to put this mental training stuff into practice.”

We have to recognize the self-defeating narratives that make their way into our minds. We have to change the story from “Have to” to “Get to.” We have to realize that each “new/bad/difficult/uncomfortable” situation is really just another opportunity to learn and grow. We have to make ourselves accept that truth, and then we have to act accordingly. I’ve seen the difference it has made in my life over the last 6 months, and I know it will make a difference for you as well.

Thanks to everyone out there that is reading and sharing my blog. I really appreciate you guys!