Have you ever seen the famous black and white photograph of Albert Einstein with his tongue sticking out? If not, a quick internet search of this photo would provide a meaningful visual as you read this blog. The described picture of Albert Einstein was on display in my science classroom for my entire teaching career. When I became a principal, Mr. Einstein and his silly tongue sticking out of his mouth followed me to the walls of the principal’s office. When I became a Federal Programs director, he joined me in that adventure as well.
Students, parents, teachers and colleagues regularly asked why I kept Albert Einstein’s picture hanging in my work space. To be fair, it was an overwhelming poster measuring 27” x 40”. I always replied that while this picture may not capture the famous scientist’s best angle and it certainly does not scream, “Brilliant Physicist,” it communicates life lessons. As we begin the new school year, let’s reflect on lessons from Albert Einstein and consider new and exciting ways to carry out our designated responsibilities.
Lesson 1: Perfection is unattainable long-term
Albert Einstein was not the best student early in his learning career. He reportedly earned grades below As and Bs on occasion. A teacher said to Albert Einstein, “Albert, you will never amount to anything.” He was distracted and disinterested in school. When he finally found subjects and content that excited him and he became a famous physicist, he failed to prove several scientific theories. He was not perfect, and neither are we.
Learning from imperfect moments is the best way to grow. Mistakes give us the gift of improving. Maybe you received a less than favorable monitoring review last school year. Today is the best day to address the deficiencies and ensure that they won’t reoccur. Maybe you had a strategy that you could not get past funding. Today is the best day to rethink the strategy and resubmit the request. Maybe a coworker made several mistakes that were costly to your time or programming. Today is the best day to mentor and advise him or her toward success.
Whatever the “maybe” is in your mind, approach it with a growth mindset. Don’t settle for failed scientific theories. Get out there and discover the answers. Einstein’s willingness to overcome his own failures and challenge current ideas resulted in his Theory of Relativity, the cornerstone of Physics. People thought he was a lunatic for these outrageous ideas, but today we all know E=mc2. Be bold! Forgive imperfection and make changes today.
Lesson 2: Small things matter
When Einstein was a child, he was ill and bed-ridden. His father brought him a compass to play with while he recovered. That compass sparked his interest in the universe. The movement of the needle always pointing toward the North blew his mind and lit a fire inside of him to understand the impossible. A small, insignificant toy changed the entire direction of science for the whole world. This teaches us that small things matter.
Reflect on the tasks you complete automatically. How can these small, seemingly inconsequential tasks morph into meaningful, deliberate actions? If you’ve been a Federal Programs Director for a few years, maybe it is time to reflect more deeply on the way funds are budgeted annually. Are there some line items that are assumed to carry over each year? Are they still producing the fruit they are intended to produce? Your schedule may seem automatic at this point in your career. Are there ways to use your time more efficiently, or ways to be more efficient with the use of others’ time? It is also important to remember that small things matter to other people as well. Are there ways you can celebrate the accomplishments of the people who support you daily? A surprise latte or, “Hey, it’s Friday. Get out of here 15 minutes early,” would go a long way. It’ll cost you about five bucks, or fifteen minutes of time, but it shows people that you are paying attention to the small things and they matter!
Whatever the small things are in your daily life, work or otherwise, you have the power to reimagine those things into something bigger and more meaningful. Einstein essentially turned interest in a compass into the ability to develop the Theory of Relativity. How can you use the ordinary to become extraordinary? You just have to be intentional.
Lesson 3: It is OK to be yourself and have fun
If this picture teaches us anything about life, it is that it is perfectly acceptable to be you and enjoy doing it. In first grade, my oldest son participated in a school event called the “Maypole Celebration.” The first graders all dressed in pastel colors and decorated a pole with pastel-colored ribbons through a series of dance steps. It is a precious, timeless tradition at the school, and one parents treasure. The song the kids sing and dance to annually is, “The World is a Rainbow, “ by Greg and Steve. You can google all of the lyrics, but the lyrics I love most in this song are found right at the end:
Now you be you
And I’ll be me.
That’s the way we were meant to be.
But the world is a mixing cup.
Just look what happens when you stir it up!
The world is a rainbow
With many kinds of people,
And when were work together
It’s such a sight to see.
The world is beautiful when we live in harmony.
Find your harmony and be joyful in your daily life. Be joyful at work. Be joyful at play. Be joyful at parenting, or caring for elderly parents, or cutting the grass. Just choose joy. Others around you will see that you live joyfully and they’ll admire you and try to mimic you. The more you force yourself to smile, the easier it becomes. You change the lives of children, some of whom you will never meet. You enable their education and well-rounded experiences. You give them access to meaningful learning. You have a lot to smile about!
With the start of a new school year, there are no limits on how you can reimagine the ordinary to make the world a better place. It may seem like a small thing to you, but when you are touching so many lives, it is not small. Reflecting on these lessons from Albert Einstein can help you to reset. A lot of good can happen when you stir it up. From all of your friends at 806 Technologies, Happy New School Year! We appreciate the work you do each day!
Need Customized Professional Learning?
Our team of certified educators have walked in your shoes. We understand your challenges and career aspirations. We are experts in the professional learning field with extensive school administration experience. If you don't see a professional learning offering that you're interested in, CONTACT US! We would love to develop a custom training that meets your exact needs.
Contact Us