JH & HS Principal - Cherokee ISD By Rebecca Sharkey
Mrs. Mona Parrish shared a story with me this past week that resonated. The story was about a taxi driver who dressed to impress and had the cab to match. He established and would present a mission statement to his customers, provided them complimentary beverages on their ride (of which there was a variety), and made the overall experience one to remember for his “guest” by providing them options or giving them choice. When questioned by one of his riders about how long he had been providing this type of service, he replied that he started making the changes two years prior to her encounter. The impetus behind the changes was he had learned about the power of choice. For years before he changed, he would complain and gripe and be angry and impatient like all the other cabbies. But, after learning of the power of choice, he began to make small changes. First to his attitude and then to his environment. He recognized that the old saying “whether you believe you will or you won’t, you are right” holds water. He knew that if he approached the day like it was going to be a bad one, it was and that its inverse is equally true. The difference in his decision of making the choice to take control of his attitude regarding the day and to control what he could of his environment quadrupled his yearly income and made his overall experience better.
My takeaway was twofold. One, we have the ability to control so much of our frustration and aggravation on a daily basis based on how we approach the day. If we take the time to prepare our attitude each day, we will have prepared our actions and reactions to the day’s events as we will be viewing these events through a more positive lens. And, our attitude is a choice. Second, when we provide choice to others, we improve their outlook as well. They feel more comfortable and in control. We, in turn, help to improve their attitude.
As educators, we have heard of providing choice in our classrooms and the difference that can make. Where we typically fall short is in giving ourselves the opportunity to choose. We allow what happens during our day to take control instead. Our challenge moving forward is to find a way to take the time to prepare our hearts and minds before we try to make an impression on the young ones in our halls.