Change requires us to hover between the known and unknown – to journey into that uncomfortable space where there’s uncertainty and often a lot of unanswered questions. It requires us to surrender to the knowledge that uncomfortableness is a part of this transition and crucial if growth is to occur. It is through our deep connection to our why, our sense of purpose, that change is less daunting.
As we begin any change journey, we first find our courage – consciously or not. We walk towards the unknown and we become unsettled, we’re in ‘the grip’ and perhaps we sense a kind of chaos. Our comfortableness is disturbed, our order is lost, and we all respond to it differently. It is our courage that reminds us in the midst of it all that it is through change that we are transformed. The chaotic journey is worthy and we know there's a light at the end of the tunnel. We emerge changed by the change. We are different, wiser, and awakened to new thinking. Our worldview has been altered, often for the better – our courage has served us well.
In my personal life, I am no stranger to chaos, and I suspect you aren't either. We all have had curveballs thrown our way and have been unwillingly forced to take a journey through them. We’ve also journeyed through the unknown by choice and reinvented parts of our lives that we wished to improve. Willing or unwilling, change often insights some kind of disorder. We must remind ourselves to take courage, for Being in the Grey is a worthy journey.
As educators, chaos is no stranger to us either. We visit chaos each time we shift our practice. Sometimes this transition is involuntary and at others, it's chosen. Either way, chaos ensues as we grapple with new ways and shift our norm in our strive for betterment. We harness our courage and emerge transformed.
The question of why we’d choose change is an obvious one. But, in education, the suggestion of choosing to change is often met with walls of ‘I’ve always taught this way and it works’ or ‘why fix something that’s not broken’; a resistance to enter the unknown and to instead remain in the safe place of familiar and comfortable order. As we all know, change requires time, committed effort, and free headspace. The mental load of teachers is often at the forefront of leadership teams, and I’d say that this sometimes prevents change from occurring, even when it’s seen as necessary.
In education, choosing change should be grounded in our why, something we each have individually and also collectively. I’d hazard a guess that most whys can be simmered down to ‘What is best for kids.’ Change in education may require us to Put Down the Duckie and shift our priorities. To stop doing what we’ve always done and to genuinely make time for something better. Change doesn’t mean throwing the baby out with the bathwater. We can reframe this thinking quite simply – it’s doing something better or differently, not additional.
Journeying through purposeful change is not something that someone else can do for us but it is something that we can do together. We don’t have to journey through in silos and instead can find deeper meaning in changing together. We can collectively muster courage and wander, make time and lean into the unknown guided by our deep, unwavering sense of why. When we do so, we might find we awaken to a new dawn that is more joyous as a result of our unity.
Change is essential and certain in our world. If fact, it might be the only thing that we can be certain about. Personal growth and often a feeling of reinvigoration are sure rewards for the sometimes trying journey. Staying still isn’t a great place to be – it’s where we grow stale and bored and lifeless. Meaningful growth does not come without some discomfort, as we boldly move out of our comfort zone. As we choose change, we find that we gradually get more Comfortable Being Uncomfortable, we find that the disorder is worth it. What emerges following the bold step into change is transformation. You can’t un-see what has emerged.
I used to be terrified of change – resisting change is a natural response. I’ve learnt instead to lean into it, guided by 'my why', even though it’s still uncomfortable and probably always will be. For me, there’s now a familiar surrender, an understanding of the journey ahead. I allow myself to fall down the rabbit hole a little more easily, for I know the bright new world, new thinking, new ways will emerge. I am learning to be courageous, despite my fears. I don’t know if change is as good as a holiday, but I do think it’s as good as a strong cup of good coffee – it has immense power to awaken us.
This is what I know to be true about change. For me, new eyes are worth the uncomfortableness.
Next: Stepping Into Potential
DOT FROM preview-next-diagram