I've heard from a variety of different people this year about taking risks. They're nervous, worried, afraid or any other adjective you can think of that conjures up similar emotions. I can relate because I felt the same way when I started this blog. It's nerve-racking putting your words out there in front of an audience. I did it to challenge myself. I did it because I was tired of what I "usually" or "normally" would do. We're creatures of habit. Sometimes those habits are great (see brushing your teeth, taking a shower etc.) but sometimes those habits are inhibitive. I've been thinking a good deal about how usually and normally are often the antagonists of innovation and personal growth. As the picture says, "Usually Happens" and it happens far more often than not.
If you're looking for a way to get out of the rut, to become innovative in a certain area of your professional or personal life, start by asking "What would I (or we) normally/usually do... and fill in your scenario. If you're a teacher, ask your students some of these broad questions along these same lines. "What do we normally do at the beginning of class?" "What types of things do I usually grade?" "Do I tend to ask the same types of questions on a regular basis?" Do I usually call on certain people more often than others for class discussions?" You can adapt these same stems to your personal life as well. If something you want to change aligns with a practice that you are usually or normally engaging in, that's a great place to start looking for a change. Again, seek input from those around you. It could be friends, colleagues, students, parents or anyone else you feel you can have a productive dialogue. Gathering ideas is critical. Usually, normally and other words affiliated with routine and predictability certainly have their place in life. Don't dispose of all your usually and normally, just honestly assess your practices, whether professional or personal and determine what are some places you could afford to shake things up a bit. When you shake the tree, the apple tends to fall a little further away.
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AuthorJeff Lahey Archives
January 2020
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