To say the least, state office is a learning process. We are
now about nine months into our year (I cringe just typing that) and we’re beginning (yes beginning) to learn
the tools and tips of the trade. Having said that, let me transport you about
six months back in time to when the gang and I were learning how to facilitate.
I love opportunities to grow….that is after I’ve grown from
them. Facilitation training is unique because the only way to really get good
at it is to completely face plant a couple times. And, when I say face plant I
mean completely mangling a couple direction sets, forgetting what you’re going
to say, and looking like a goon while all the while being in front of a group
of people making notes on what you can
improve on. This sounds pretty terrible, but luckily for me I was with a group
of people who were all in the same boat. I remember one time in particular when
I was working on a direction set; I had gone through this set a couple
different times, and it was just not
clicking. As I mentioned earlier, I love opportunities to grow; one of those
opportunities for me just so happens to be patience. After tripping over this set
more than once I was getting a touch frustrated. Mr. Martin (our program
specialist) happened to be walking by at that point, so he stopped and talked
to me. While helping me with the direction set, as well as giving me a small
pep talk, he offered me a piece of golden advice. As I told him how I just
wanted to come running out of the gates with a perfect direction set, he smiled
and cocked his head.
“Kathleen it’s not going to be perfect. State office is a
process….don’t expect perfection.”
This hit home for me, so much so that I have his quote
hanging over my desk so I don’t forget. So many times people assume that the
first time they do something it has to be perfect. Whether that be nailing your
first lay up in basketball or placing first at district in your speaking event,
most people want to get it right the first time. It’s so easy to get wrapped up
in the perfection of something rather than seeing the beauty of the journey. My
experiences this year have taught me more lessons than I can express in one
blog post, but one of the most important is that you need to enjoy the journey
and let it grow you as an individual.
The next time you practice for a speech and keep stumbling
on the second line of the third paragraph, take a deep breath and say it to the
mirror yet again. It’s a process. The next time you land on your back rather
than getting a goal in soccer—smile and try again. It’s a process. The next
time you’re studying for a calculus test and keep forgetting the formula, don’t
throw down the pencil—keep working on it. That is DEFINITELY a process (I speak
from experience).
I don’t think many people sum it up as well as Asha Tyson; “Your
journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed
to be. Don't think you've lost time. There is no short-cutting to life. It took
each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now
is right on time.”
Each and every person reading this has amazing potential
inside of them. Maybe you’ve reached that potential or maybe you’re just
beginning to learn what your potential is. Regardless, I hope you are enjoying
your journey. Take time to learn from your mistakes, be willing to take
constructive criticism from others, and be excited to try again. Remember: it’s
a process don’t expect perfection.
Wishing you the best of journeys,
Kathleen Jacobs
Indiana FFA State Treasurer
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