Leadership / First Year of Teaching

Optimist or Pessimist?  A Dual Life

 I have a confession.  I live a dual life.  I am both an optimist and a pessimist.  This dichotomy has caused me both stress and emotional conflict.  There is a constant push and pull as I frame my viewpoints.  One minute I will see the glass as half full, and two minutes later I look at the same glass and see it as half empty.  If I were to make a generalization, I would say in my professional life I lean toward optimism, whereas in my personal life I tend to be a pessimist.  Some of my friends refer to me as that “curmudgeon”.

When I was coaching, one of my strengths was optimism.  There was not an opponent we could not beat or a challenge we could not overcome.  My players and coaches believed in me and my plan.  I conveyed this optimism and confidence in the way I carried myself, planned, worked and interacted with people.  My optimism was contagious.

As an administrator, I could spin information and negative data so no matter how bad the news might have been we all walked away feeling good. I can also share that as I approached retirement from the public schools I could feel a growing sense of pessimism and gloom.  This caused me great stress because I actually would wake up wanting to be that optimist.  I am truly amazed by those individuals that can maintain their high level of optimism even in the worst of times.  In the previous paragraph, I mentioned that I thought my optimism was contagious.  Conversely, I also believe my pessimism was equally transferable.  I ask every teacher and administrator to take note of this.  The people around you or those that you lead will react as you react and take on your demeanor.  I am convinced of that.

This past week I watched the ESPY awards and was glued to the television when they presented the Jimmy V. Perseverance Award. The award is named in honor of Jim Valvano, a successful coach and announcer who tragically died in 1993 after a long public battle with cancer.  Every teacher and administrator should take time and view his speech from 1993. It is easily accessible on-line. It is a remarkable speech that conveyed Valvano’s spirit in the face of tragedy.  He was the eternal optimist.  The speech was probably most noted for the line when Valvano implored all:  “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.”  Valvano died within weeks of delivering that speech.

This year’s recipient was Craig Sager, a very skilled and veteran sports announcer who like Valvano is battling cancer. The award is given to those that demonstrate an uncanny ability to battle great obstacles.  Sager’s message was clear and moving.  He spoke of how he views every day as a blessing, and time is simply how you live your life.  He also shared with the audience that he always sees the glass as half full and has a powerful hope for tomorrow.

As an educator, you must possess this same hope for tomorrow and communicate this to your students on a daily basis.  Optimism can be a very powerful force and remember that you can communicate this optimism with not only your words but your actions.

Today’s topic made me think about a video I used during my administrative career.  The video is about Pikes Fish Market in Seattle and how the workers transformed their lives and business by adopting a very simple philosophy.  (Charthouse Publications has marketed a full line of products highlighting the Fish Philosophy. I urge you to look into the products.)

The Fish Philosophy is based upon four simple elements.  I will list them below:

• Choose your Attitude-Everyday as you awake you can make a choice. Are you going to be happy?  Are you going to be that hopeful optimist?  The choice is yours.
• Play-Encourage creativity and have fun at work. This is not to suggest that in some way you abandon your work and accomplish little.  I think the contrary could be true.  If you start each day believing you will have some fun, there is a good chance that you will.
• Be there-When you interact with a person, commit to that interaction. I learned a great deal from this concept.  Far too often, I would have a conversation with someone and be a million miles away thinking about a future meeting, another task or another conversation.  It was not fair to the person that needed me at that time.  I became good at being honest with people and tell them I could not 100% commit to our conversation at that time. We would schedule a convenient time later.  The person appreciated my candor and more importantly appreciated having my attention when we did meet.  I encourage you to try this.
• Make their day-Try to make sure your interactions with people are meaningful. These interactions can be quite small and may seem insignificant to you, but they could be extremely powerful to that other person.  Remember how good you felt when someone told you something or complimented you when you least expected it. They made your day. Think of how good your students will feel.

After reading today’s article, make a commitment to work to become that hopeful optimist.  Adopt that Fish Philosophy.  Choose the right attitude, be there for people, and make their day.  I am convinced you will feel a great deal better about yourself.  It is hard work, but worth the effort.  Try it!