A ship in the harbor is safe – but that’s not what ships are for.- John A. Shedd (yes he is going nautical again!)
My poor staff has to endure my nautical analogies. It has become a joke among some of my staff about checking the compass, setting the sails and positioning the rudder. The above quote is one of my favorites about the purpose of sailing ships in the Age of Discovery. They were not made to stay in the harbor for safety, they were mean’t to traverse the ocean in search of riches and knowledge. Apply this to today’s learning and teaching. Why do some want to stay where it safe? Because we fear the unknown? We fear the effort? We fear failure? Principals as well as teachers must be willing to venture into the unknown. We must be willing to experience the following:
1.Risk–Of course it is always easiest to stay with what is known. Staying within one’s comfort zone, not attempting to try new things, is easy (until the hull rots and the ship sinks) for there is no challenge. But if we choose to set sail, risk the unknown, we learn a lot about ourself during the journey and could possibly find a whole new world at the end! Whether it is trying a new strategy in class, attempting a new schedule for classes, taking on a new responsiblity, or cutting ties and moving on, we will certainly gain (if only experience) for making the attempt.
2.Destination–Sometimes it is not the destination that matters at all. It is the richness of the journey that is most important. O.K. so getting there is only half the fun. I think that as I gather more experience as an educator, the more I am moved to believe that there has got to be a better way to prepare students for the real world. Maybe the destination should be, if we’re willing to take the risk, a reformed school system where students collaborate with each other, with teachers(as facilitators) and professionals from the real world of work to prepare for their life’s vocation.
3.Doldrums–Defined as period with no wind to catch the sails, leaving a ship “stranded” in place on the ocean. If we are not making progress or we see hard work having no effect, we are like a ship stuck in the doldrums. Although not technically anchored in the harbor, sometimes we feel no progress is being made despite all of our effort. We must maintain our effort to make the journey happen even though it seems like we have lost all momentum. We must not let those who would take the wind away from us stop us from making progress!
4.Discovery–The reward for leaving the comfort zone. The satisfaction of conquering the unknown. The feeling of accomplishment after reaching a goal. So many times I have found that it is the risk takers who are the ones who enjoy their tasks and make the most progress. Even though I doubted I could ever run 13 miles at one time, I found that not only could I do it, but I could enjoy it and feel better about myself for having attempted it. The same is true in our profession. I know several principals who were afraid of using technology until they tried and now they are pioneering new things in their staffs and students as well as for the benefit others who follow them through social media.
What about you? Are you willing to take some risks….step out of your comfort zone?
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