Jen McDonough is a literacy specialist who is currently transitioning to a school leadership position in her Florida school district. She is also the co-author with Kristin Ackerman of Conferring with Young Writers: What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do (Stenhouse, 2016). In this post, Jen embraces her discomfort as she moves toward becoming an administrator. She also shares five questions she has for her new role.
The day after I announced that I was leaving my literacy specialist job and taking on a new position at my school as Director of the Lower School, a book arrived on my doorstep.
Inside the front cover was a handwritten inscription from my friend Kristin that read in part:
“I have learned that I feel the most joy when I am uncomfortable. I hope this book inspires you to celebrate a willingness to avoid comfort and take on a new role at school.”
The book, The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self, by Michael Easter, frankly had me scared to open it. As my good friend, Kristin knows that I find the most joy when I am IN my comfort zone.
Thus the purpose of the book on the porch.
Three months later, I opened it and began to read. Easter explores big ideas throughout the book as he writes of lessons learned from off-the-grid visionaries, disruptive genius researchers, and trailblazers unlocking the potential and benefits of discomfort.
Three lessons I’m learning as I leave my comfort zone
#1 - Live to my potential
He reminds us of Mary Oliver’s famous line from “Wild Geese”, when she tells us that we need to do something with our “one wild and precious life”.
I could have made the decision not to take on a bigger role at school. But why? If I am not growing and learning, then I truly don’t feel like I am living each day to its potential.
#2 - Confront my weaknesses
I also read about a contemporary form of the Japanese ritual of misogi. It involves creating a challenge that forces you to face your fears, doubts, and weaknesses.
Mark Seery, a psychologist at the University of Buffalo, conducted studies on adversity. He found that “people who’ve gone through some adversity show a more positive response; they feel like the event is an exciting opportunity rather than a sense of overwhelming dread.” (50).
I am not a girl who has had a lot of adversity in my life. This could be part of the overwhelm that I’ve been feeling since I accepted this new position. While this new job is not exploring Alaskan backcountry in a tent for weeks on end, or climbing Mount Everest, it is my misogi as I confront my weaknesses (making schedules, confrontational conversations) and learning to turn them into strengths. With the support of others I can do this.
#3 - Appreciate my increased presence with new challenges
Finally this quote resonated with me from The Comfort Crisis:
“We all suck at new things. But clumsily exiting our comfort zones offers way too many upsides to ignore….Learning new skills is also one of the best ways to enhance awareness of the present moment; no burning incense, Buddhist mantras, or meditation apps involved” (61).
I realized I have been more present with the new challenge.
Not going to lie…my brain hurts. My anxiety has been high. But I have been extremely present in my life since I made the decision. That feels good.
As you look towards summer, the next school year, and the years beyond, what will be your misogi?
How will you leave your comfort zone to become more present in this “one wild and precious life”? With intention, guidance, and a lot of support, I am ready to begin this adventure.
My Top 5 Questions as I Transition from Teaching to School Leadership
As I begin a new transition from literacy specialist to Director of our Lower School, I am looking to others for guidance and advice. Here are my top 5 (out of approximately 10,342) questions as I learn to become the best school leader I can be.
What is your best advice for having potentially confrontational sticky conversations with other adults such as teachers and parents?
How do you rally the group towards a common goal and avoid spending your days chasing whatever shiny thing gets your attention?
If you became a leader in the same school in which you were teaching, how did you navigate going from a peer/friend relationship with the teachers around you to becoming their boss? Did it even have an impact?
What one thing do you do every day that has made a difference in the success of your school?
What is the one thing or mantra you say to yourself every day before you walk into the building?
One more and then I will leave you alone…what is one book/podcast you would recommend that informs your leadership?
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What!? Stop it-I love this podcast recommendation. Thank you!
That is so funny. My mentor who is leaving the position gifted me with a 10 pack of small notebooks and told me I would end up needing more. I am already finding that if I don't write things down, the conversation never happened. I keep saying can you email me that and put it in writing? I also agree with always going back to what is best for kids. That will help me stay grounded. Cheers to embracing the uncomfortable-we've got this!