The Illusion of Success

Success does not happen over night.  You will face challenges this year.  You will face great moments too.  However, when it gets tough, it seems as though we compare ourselves to others.  We see all the amazing administrators transforming their schools and making a big difference.

We get discouraged.

 We forget how success is like an iceberg.  We only see the top of the iceberg in other people’s lives.  But I’m here to tell you, they too faced persistence, failure, sacrifice, disappointment, etc…

Most administrators are up early and the first ones on campus.  We are the last to leave at the end of the day.  I don’t leave campus until the very last student is picked up and then I tend to stay an extra 30 minutes or hour getting ready for the next day.  It’s hard work.  It’s determination.  It’s dedication.

This is a sketch by Sylvia Duckworth.  I have to say it is brilliant.  It is one of the best illustrations of success I have ever seen.  Brilliant…just brilliant.  It totally sums up success.  Sylvia Duckworth drew this based on Matthew Syed’s book Bounce.

Outwardly, some appear to have success, but it’s not without a lot of tremendous hard work and sacrifice.  Successful people aren’t born with an advantage.  Successful people aren’t born talented. Success is complex.  Real success comes from practice.  Effort and practice creates success.  In addition, it takes hard work, good habits, dedication, etc…
As an administrator of your school don’t compare yourself to others.  Stand tall.  Even if you begin to taste failure and disappointment.  You can do it.  You can be the leader that will empower others and make a difference.  Keep in mind success is a journey not a destination. 
Take a look at President Abraham Lincoln for example.  He is known as one of the greatest American Presidents, but at the time of his election no one would have predicted his success.  Lincoln endured a significant number of setbacks, personal losses, struggles, disappointments and failures.  We tend to not remember those because we only read about his great leadership qualities he had as President of the United States.  He lead our country through its greatest crisis-the American Civil War.  He didn’t let his failures stop him.  In fact, I like to think he was able to lead our country at such a difficult time because of his failures.  Maybe that is what he needed to push him to success.  

What about you?  Have you let any of your fears or failures stop you from leading your school?  
SUCCESS WILL COME WHEN YOU SIMPLY REFUSE TO GIVE UP, WITH GOALS SO STRONG THAT OBSTACLES, FAILURE, AND LOSS ONLY ACT AS YOUR MOTIVATION.  You have the power to make it happen.  
Let’s do this! Rise to your challenges this year.  
One who never fails, but learns, succeeds finally-Abraham Lincoln

Stephanie McConnell

Stephanie McConnell

I’m Stephanie, and I’m the face behind Principal Principles. I’m a former principal turned educational consultant, presenter, and edupreneur. I’m obsessed with giving school leaders the tools they need to lead a successful school.

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Hi, I'm Stephanie

Hello friend! Welcome to Principal Principles. I’m Stephanie, and I’m the face behind Principal Principles. I’m a former principal turned educational consultant, presenter, and edupreneur. I’m obsessed with giving school leaders the tools they need to lead a successful school.

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