The Power of "Yet"

I'm sure you've heard of Carol Dweck and her research on Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset. If you haven't, click here.

Anybody want a poster? We have a fancy
printer in the office now.

Basically, her theory is that people who have a Fixed Mindset believe they have a very limited capacity to change or grow. I'll out my husband who used to say, "I am who I am" (fortunately, he's come around to the Growth side). Folks who have a Growth Mindset understand that, with support and effort, they can improve in whatever area of their life they'd like to work on.

It's really a wonderful theory and one that is rooted in neuroscience. After all, neurons that fire
together wire together. Not to mention that practice makes better (my old band director used to remind us that perfection is impossible - how uplifting).

Mr. Traini, ca 2000, shouting to go
back to set #1 again because practice
makes better.

I just got back from visiting seven schools and, as I left the final one, I had a thought: I wish I were better at offering support. Why don't I ask my people what they need from me? I suck. That's rather fixed, yes? Happily, Carol Dweck's voice popped into my head soon after and offered me yet. So, now I'm reworking (my therapist would say ruminating) how I interact with other people. I'm setting an intention to ask: "What are your needs at the moment?" during 65% of my future interactions with colleagues.

One of my biggest projects this year is procuring a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist to work with Carlo and myself on systemic changes within our agency. The goal is one I firmly believe in and so I've devoted many hours to research, writing, conversing, updating y'all, and seeking funding sources. Despite my efforts, I'm basically nowhere. I've encountered block after block and I've been intensely frustrated with this entire process. I genuinely want to deliver on this promise and I will absolutely keep working at it. In the meantime, I am setting another intention: To give myself the same grace I offer everyone else. It's going to come in the form of yet. The processes I've tried haven't worked yet. The people I've contacted have failed to get back to me yet.

For every problem, there's a solution. I'm already feeling more hopeful, which almost always leads to creative problem-solving.

Random and relevant

Activities Update

Greetings! I'm going to take a break from dropping resources this go-around to share with you a bit about what I've been up to. In the last month, I've attended several professional development opportunities, co-taught, observed, coached, and (of course) attended a slew of meetings.

Is this not perfect?

One of the highlights was getting to co-teach at Kearney for a couple of days. The kids can be challenging, but I loved being the "Jolly Rancher Lady" and getting back into the proverbial trenches with Michael.

Another high point was attending a course called "Managing Remote Employees" through Employer's Council. Carlo graciously paid for half of this training and I learned an enormous amount about conducting performance planning and reviews, daily communications with staff, giving good feedback/asking good questions, and even how to conduct behavioral interviews to screen for good remote employees. I walked away with loads of techniques and am having a blast rolling out some of the simpler ones. 

I live in that zone.

More recently, I spent a couple of days with Dr. Diane Bassett. We travelled to multiple schools and were thoroughly impressed with the work being done. The kids were, as always, curious, wise, intelligent, and adorable. Visiting classrooms is by far my favorite thing.

The last bit I'll share with you is that I'm working with some CMAMI partners to assemble a presentation for the National Mentoring Summit, which will take place in January. The topic will be all about how understanding identity can strengthen match relationships. I'm stoked to be working with two fabulous ladies on this project!

Coming up, I've got more co-teaching, site visits, and meetings. I'm excited for two of those things - Can you guess which ones? :-)