I have been reading about 150 daily student journal entries for the past two months, through the anxiety, fatigue, elation, distraction, forgetfulness, fear, sadness, anticipation, sickness, and a host of other expressed up and down issues, one thing struck hard. It wasn’t a new revelation, but it really hit home. Maybe it was more graphic this semester because of a semester off from reading during my medical leave.
Do you know what is fundamentally holding back most students? Lack of study skills? No. Lack of critical thinking skills? No. Lack of self-discipline? No. Lack of dedication? No. Lack of time management? No. No, though so many students display these deficiencies, they are symptomatic of a much deeper and inner lack. The one thing that most of them lack and is their greatest need is: self-confidence. They need it in their personal lives, in their academic lives, in their social lives, in their jobs. They need the belief in their power to deal with and overcome circumstances; they need it for a freedom from uncertainty; they need it to lift the burdens; they need it to deal with personal and academic crises; they need it to come out from the corner and the shadows; they need it to be authentic and honest; they need it to vanquish debilitating fear; they need it to overcome adversity; they need it to become their own person. They need it to convert challenges from barriers into opportunities. They need it to keep them from shriveling and sniveling deeper into the corner and into darker shadows. They need it to assume responsibility rather than hurling blame. They need it to imagine, create, innovate, and achieve. They need it to perceive problems, tackle problems, wrestle with problems, and solve them. They need it to believe in themselves, have faith in themselves, have hope for themselves, and love themselves.
Without confidence, they are stoppable. Without confidence, they give control over themselves to others. Without confidence, there’s no hunger to explore, thirst for adventure, boldness to seize the moment, courage to make a mistake, daring to take risks, and reaching for the proverbial stars. Without confidence, they don’t aspire and perspire. Without confidence, discouragement and fear and ugliness rule the day. Without confidence, it’s easier to take the easy road than the right one. Without confidence, there’s no focus, no endurance, and no perseverance. Without confidence, a student cannot climb, build, dance, or sing.
The essence of teaching, then, is to help students acquire an “I’m better than that” attitude that can convert “I am not” into “I am,” “I can’t” into “I can,” “I don’t” into “I do,” “don’t want to” into “I want to,” “I won’t” into “I will,” “it’s impossible” into “it’s possible,” “I hate” into “I love,” and “I don’t believe” into “I believe.” It is our mission to help them tap their inner power to look at themselves and things around them differently, to be whatever they want to be, and to become the persons they are capable of becoming.
But, and it is a huge but, before we can offer such support, inspiration, aspiration, and encouragement to be big souled and big hearted, we have to do all that to and for ourselves.
Louis
Words I needed to hear after a long day at school. Being a principal I am able to lead and help others grow.
I also need to look after myself, tend my own garden and be fearless.
Fear is something I have always experienced – less now than when I was younger – thanks Louis for your words. I am uplifted.