September 17, 2010
Anthony Robbins, Entrepreneur, Author, and Peak Performance Strategist once said something that has haunted me a bit since. The quote was something like, "People are not lazy. They simply have unimportant goals?that is?goals that do not inspire them."
It first led me to be reflective about my own life. Why is it that I find myself dragging my feet and masterfully avoiding tasks that would help me accomplish something positive? And why, at other times, am I so motivated and excited about something that even sleep takes a back burner to the goal?
Closely following that reflection came thoughts about how this might apply to the children in our classrooms. Andy pops into my mind first. I had Andy as a fourth grader many years ago. He was very bright, athletic, kind, respectful, infinitely patient with our special needs kindergarteners, and had a hysterical sense of humor. He had tremendous potential, yet the adjective that people in his life used to describe him (including his parents) was 'lazy'.
If Tony Robbins is right, I can't help but wonder if we failed to provide Andy with the goals that would have inspired him to effort and action. I desperately hope that as he grew, he found things that inspired him to a life of learning and meaningful work.
What about the students I work with now: those reluctant writers, struggling readers, and math avoiders? If they aren't lazy, how can I make their goals so personal and attainable that they will be inspired to action? Is it possible? I believe it is, and I'm going for it. I bet that's a goal Tony Robbins would say is worth aspiring to.