Today, I Confess: Sometimes I Miss the Obvious
In this week's episode of Beyond Measure, I spoke about the Barn Metaphor, and how it relates to teaching.
This gist is this: sometimes we miss things that are obvious to outsiders because we are too enveloped in our weekly student routines.
Let me be clear: No one knows the working dynamics of your studio better than you. You don't need to explain why you make the decisions you do.
At the same time; sometimes an outside opinion is exactly what you need to save you from perpetuating unwanted problems.
The best example I can think of comes from my toddler raising days. I'm embarrassed to share this story here, but that hasn't stopped me before, so here goes:
Full disclosure; the following tale involves potty training. If that's not your thing, feel free to skip to the end.
Transitioning out of diapers with my oldest daughter was relatively seamless. Her younger sister, on the other hand, was more challenging.
She had no problem going "number one" in the toilet but refused to do the other thing everyone does there. ๐
...She would only do THAT while wearing a Pull-Up...
I knew the logical thing to do was to stop putting a Pull-Up on her and let her figure it out.
And yet - I had a million excuses, including friends whose children struggled with the same problem and ended up hospitalized from their stubbornness.
I was convinced my child would do exactly the same thing, so I rationalized my way out of the only sensical thing to do.
At her next doctor visit, I explained my frustrations and the nurse looked at me with a stupefied look on her face and said, "If she'll only ๐ฉ in Pull-Ups, stop putting her in Pull-Ups."
(facepalm)
She was so matter of fact, it made me realize just how baseless my fears were. I'd spun myself silly with reasons NOT to do the one thing that needed doing.
It took someone otherwise removed from the situation to state it plainly. And - in case you're wondering - the obvious solution worked like a charm.
To this day, when I find myself over-thinking a problem, I'll laugh and say to myself, "Stop putting her in Pull-Ups". ๐ซฃ
Questionable decisions during sleep-deprived seasons aside, we are ALL guilty of rationalizing things that seem obvious to others. The next time you're struggling with a student dilemma, ask yourself what a straightforward outsider would say.
Music too hard? Put them in a different book.
Student hates every piece you put in front of them? Stop asking their opinion.
Parents want student to compete in an event they are not prepared for? Have the tough conversation and say no.
Some of us (ahem ๐๐ปโโ๏ธ) are really good at creating excuses for avoiding obvious solutions. Sometimes these avoidances are rooted in fear, sometimes in self-doubt. Regardless of their causes, let's do better, friends. ๐
If you're looking for a crew of sincere Teacher Friends who will speak the truth to you in love, SuperFriends in my Patreon Community are meeting tomorrow (09.25.26) for our September session of Teachers Teaching Teachers.
We will meet at 11am, eastern time, to share highs and lows of Teacher Life, problem-solve each other's questions, and examine a favorite piece of teaching repertoire.
This month's piece: Big Sky, by Catherine Rollin
So, friend, now it's your turn: Hit that reply button and tell me of a time YOU fought a (now) obvious solution. Don't leave me feeling like the only one! ๐
๐ฅ Cheers to stepping out of our day-to-day routines and examining our excuses, all in the name of embracing obvious solutions.๐ฅ