Allison Behne
February 8, 2013
Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.?Ralph Marston
This past week I was talking with my husband, Carl, about my dissertation and the stress I was feeling with it looming over my head. Samantha, my twelve-year-old daughter, was sitting on the couch pretending to read a book as she eavesdropped. I told my husband I almost felt like throwing in the towel. There was so much to do and so much information to analyze that it was making my head hurt. I spoke of how much time the dissertation process consumes and how I didn't want to take that time away from my family. It was basically a self-pity moment.
After I had finished my rant, Carl asked what he could do to help. Before I could respond to him, Samantha looked up and said, "I dare you!" At this point I was not in the mood to guess what she meant and I asked her what she was talking about. She explained that those words motivate her and that she was trying to motivate me. I smiled at her and said, "I wish it were that easy, Sammi, but thanks for trying."
She continued, "Mom, when we moved last year, I didn't want to go to a new school and make new friends. You told me it would be okay, and on the first day you dared me to make one friend. I didn't make only one friend?I made many. When I was trying out for The Wizard of Oz and was nervous, you dared me to do my best, and I got a part. When I was upset about my math grade, you dared me to improve my score a little each time, and it worked. So now I dare you to get your dissertation done. I know you can do it."
I was speechless. I wanted to tell her that my situation is completely different, but is it? Not really. Samantha was reminding me of what I have said to her so many times. We can accomplish anything we put our minds to. I can finish my dissertation. I just need to believe in myself, quit complaining, and start writing!
What is it that looms over your head that makes you want to quit? Do you have a new curriculum? Higher expectations? A difficult group of students? Remember, everyone is facing some kind of challenge. Maybe it is time we join together, stop complaining, and start doing. I dare you.