I was talking with my husband who is going through yet another "career change." I put it in quotes because, really, he has never had a career. He is an amazingly talented person who can do so many things really well, but he just hasn't found the way to make any of his avocations into a vocation.
As we were talking about how hard his new business is I shared with him some thoughts about changing his approach in order to become successful. He agreed, but he felt that it wasn't what came naturally to him.
So, I countered, just act that way.
ACT the way you want to be. Fake it til you make it. It's simple.
It made me think of an incident with a student. I had started to present an assignment for the lab and heard some moaning and groaning (I know, unbelievable!). I told them never mind, just act like you like what we're doing.
Later that night I received an email from one of the kids. She said, "I don't have to act like I like what we're doing anymore. I LOVE it. "
What a great actress. She convinced herself.
2 comments:
This is so true. I don't know if this explanation makes sense, but here's what I'm thining.
I started communicating with other educators online about two years ago. It is not really in my personality to break into social groups. I have "acted" as if I am comfortable in this way and it has come to pass that I have a great group of educators that I am comfortable with when I meet them in person.
I've had several opportunities to meet educators in person and we now have a common background through talking online. I look forward to conferences now because I have used these different online spaces to become more at ease at conferences. I don't have to act confident when I attend conferences, I am confident.
Ann
I tell my SPED middle school students the same thing you told your husband. These kids come from urban poverty and act in school the same way they do on the street.
I ask, "What do you want your life to be like when you become an adult?" Then I tell them to start acting like they want be. It has worked to curb some adverse behaviors.
BTW, I am something like your husband. Teaching is my fifth or sixth career. Mine were careers and I usually had two going simultaneously. Longest? 18 years. Shortest? Teaching (five years and going strong).
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