Become a Changemaker

The 200th issue of Exchange was dedicated to change — what has changed our field, what will change our field, how you can change, how programs can change.  In this issue Margie Carter talked about "changing your view of yourself."  She noted...

"Change the story you have about yourself, rejecting the idea that you can’t go beyond regulations, there aren’t enough resources, 'they won’t let me,' and all the limiting things you tend to tell yourself.  Start seeing yourself as powerful, rather than powerless.  Jim Rohn was fond of saying, 'We generally change ourselves for one of two reasons: inspiration or desperation....  You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight.'  To me this implies you start seeing yourself as a leader, whether your job is that of teacher, administrator, or consultant.

"Rather than feeling alone, start seeing yourself as part of a cadre of what Loris Malaguzzi calls, 'an on-going story of men and women, ideals intact, who realize that history can be changed, and that it is changed by making it our own — starting with the future of children.'  Seek out others interested in innovative ideas and other possibilities for defining quality; meet regularly to support and challenge each other.   Tell yourself this is one of the most important aspects of your job.   Together, build an expanded narrative about what quality looks like.

"Before you start rushing around trying to ‘fix’ things, work on fixing anything that might be broken in your leadership.  The amazing thing about changing yourself is that it usually leads to others changing."

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