Know Your Why

A common phrase that has become very popular at education conferences and all across social media platforms is “Know Your Why.”  Like many other things in education, so many people have grabbed on to this saying that it has already reached cliché status.  But as cliché or “buzzy” as this phrase may be, I experienced what I believe it really means this past week. 

I am struggling a little more than usual for the month of September this school year.  I’m feeling the “end of October” kind of tired in early September.  Policy changes, people retiring after the year has started, and a variety of other things have increased the meetings, paperwork, and red tape I have to navigate through.  But on a particularly challenging day, one where I had already had 3 parent conferences, I attended an IEP meeting, my 4^th conference of the day.  The result was the grandmother of the child calling me the following day, and with emotion in her voice, saying how overwhelmed she was with the number of people in the conference room who she felt genuinely cared about her grandson.  She thanked me and the school profusely for offering so many solutions and ideas and for being willing to work with them.  Her conversation was only about five minutes, but it gave me the great honor of sending an email to everyone who had participated in that meeting, and thanking them for the work they do every day. 

I am tired.  I feel pulled in many directions.  I am constantly second-guessing what I and my school are doing, but this is when the cliché helps me.  Knowing my WHY gives me the boost I need.  It steadies me.  It helps me tackle my doubt. 

So here is what I would suggest in Knowing your Why.

First, do you know it?  Spend some time identifying why you do what you do.  Who or what is your priority in your school?  Do your actions align with those priorities?

Second, write it down.  Put your “why” on paper and put it somewhere that will be in your face each day.  If your days are anything like mine, you can quickly start drowning in your schedule.  Let your “why” serve as your constant reminder.  Do what is best for your “why.”

Finally, share it.  Who can hold you accountable?  Let that person know what your “why” is so they can help you identify when you are losing focus, or when your actions or schedule don’t match the “why.”

So, embrace this educational cliché.  I believe this one is a keeper. 

Identify it.  

Write it down.  

Share it.

So what is your “why?”  I would love for you to share it here.