“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.” — Lao Tzu
This week was business as usual. Running lunch groups, checking in with students, and taking on surprises is par for the course in my job. Although it has taken me time to clarify and develop as an educator, some things remain the same.
My primary focus is to do what I can do to prepare for the job at hand, and then show up and enjoy the experiences as they unfold. I enjoy interacting with all of the different people, and learning about myself along the way.
Although we all have much in common, we are also different in our own ways. Discovering what inspires you and in what ways you excel is a key part of being alive and successful. I recall reading a book by Stephen Covey, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” One of the things that Covey discussed was the importance of building on your strengths.
If we spend too much of our time focused on what we struggle with, we neglect the very things that we do well. Conversely, if we focus on the parts of our job that inspire us, then we gain energy to either handle the challenges, or enthusiastically enlist others who are better equipped to do those jobs.
Everyone is motivated differently. Some people perform best when they are laughing and joking, while others prefer silence and a more intensely focused environment. In the same way, some people prefer language that is direct and to the point, while others learn through poetry and abstractions. The most important thing is that you know how you learn, and what inspires you.
When you have this level of self-awareness you perform more efficiently and effectively and you are better able to access whatever support you might need along the way.
Working with our students, I am always making mental notes about what motivates them each as individuals. I have found that a student who is meeting his individual need for inspiration and motivation, performs better in every area of their academic and social world.
Too often, we build our world around meeting other people’s needs without taking into account our own. While it is noble to be of service, I have found that true service comes from a heart that is overflowing with the enthusiasm that comes from being self-fulfilled.
I was recently working with a student who was feeling creatively stifled. This student did not feel that he was being heard by the adults in his life. The effect of that sense of imprisonment was draining his motivation and he was not performing up to his potential in other areas of his life.
Together we started to recognize the importance of advocating for one’s self, and finding ways to get our needs met. Our conversations were the starting point for prioritizing those things that would inspire him, and provide him with more energy to focus on the things that mattered, such as doing well in school.
If you are feeling unheard, or unsatisfied in your own life, it is time to slow down and take inventory of what naturally motivates you. Are you spending enough time doing the things that you love to do? In what environments are you genuinely inspired? Make a list of things that bring you joy, and that ignite your creativity. When we are creatively engaged with our lives, in ways that have meaning for us, there is a ripple effect in every area of our lives.
You are worth the time it takes to nurture yourself. The results will benefit those around you and might inspire them to do the same.
Edward Biagiotti is the Inclusion Specialist for Culver City Unified School District. He is also co-host of the popular radio show, Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed, to find out more go to www.DarrellandEd.com. Visit www.TappingIntoGenius.com for more articles and a free, inspirational parenting download.
