Comfort zones are interesting to me. We all work so hard to get to them, but once
we get there, we are really scared to step outside of the peace that they
offer. They provide us with a sense of
calm, but I question whether or not they help us to grow. If we spend too much time in the comfort
zone, it is much harder to take risks and step outside. I completely understand it. There is rarely time where we take on a new
activity and it turns into awesome right away.
Take a pen and a piece of paper…write your name on the paper with your
non-dominant hand. How are you feeling?
Clearly the more you practice the better it would get, but if we are constantly
reminded that we’re not good at a particular task, we are much less likely to
continue doing it. Having said that,
there are not too many things in the world that we could do right away. In essence, the learning always came from
outside our comfort zones.
Some people step out of their comfort zones and try
something new. I am currently involved
in an activity that doesn’t just fall a little outside my comfort zone, it
resides miles away. We are a few weeks
away from Dancing with the Eau Claire Stars.
I was asked to be one of the contestants, and it has been quite the
experience! Now…I don’t consider myself
a star, a dancer, and I don’t live in Eau Claire. So…this could not be more outside my comfort
zone. The dancing portion of the
activity is difficult and well beyond my level of expertise, which was clearly
a switch for me. I tend to pick
activities where I feel like I can experience a relative level of success. I had no idea how I was going to have that
feeling in a choreographed dance. Inevitably,
everything I do tends to get my wheels spinning about how it relates to schools,
students, staff, and professional growth.
So…here are a few thoughts going through my head as the process has
rolled out…
Don’t waver
The longer it takes you to make the decision, the less
likely you are to do it. We tend to
talk a lot in education…we discuss and discuss and discuss before making a
decision and sometimes forget the most important part…actually making one. Do your research, but when you
commit…go. Once you know you are in you
will feel much better about the process.
The Impact of Peers
As administrators we can lead the process of challenging
staff members to grow outside their comfort zones, but when it comes down to
the ownership of the process, the value of peers is incredible. The support from peers as you take a risk in
your practice can be a true motivator when it comes to confidence. People want to be acknowledged for what they
do, and that includes attempting to try something different. This has to be the culture of classrooms as
well. Students will not go out on a limb
if they feel like their friends are going to insult them or their teacher won’t
support them. I know really intelligent
kids who do not participate in class because they are afraid of what their
friends will say. I know kids who knock
others down emotionally because it is easier than admitting that they don’t
understand or know the answer. I have
worked with staff members who don’t want to extend themselves for fear of what
their colleagues would say. I am lucky
to work in a place where the support for peers is really solid, but even in
that space it can be hard for people to step out of their comfort zones.
Have Fun
Find the fun…these dance rehearsals are hard for me because
every time I try to do something I am constantly reminded that I am not good at
it. I feel awkward and frustrated when I
can’t get the steps right. I have really
amazing teachers. Allie and Amber are
great dancers, and better people. They
have made this process so fun for me. We
laugh, shrug our shoulders, make things up as we go, and at no point have I
felt like I am a burden to their evenings (though Amber may have a few
bruises!). We are having a blast…and I
am so glad I decided to take part in the process.
I am so far out of my comfort zone. Allie and Amber are fantastic teachers. They ask the right questions and push me to
get better, while understanding the concept that I am way out of my
league. I feel like I am accomplishing
more every time we rehearse. This feeling has to
be a staple of what happens in schools.
Adults need to feel like they can grow, and not be stuck in a rut of
their own professional development. Kids
need to feel like they are getting better and have ownership in how they grow.
As you get ready to start the year, understand that you will be asking kids to
step out of their comfort zones to maximize their learning and you can be an incredible model if you step out of your own.
Have a great start to the year, everyone. Go Crickets!
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