Stuck In A Holding Pattern
It is easy to get stuck in a holding pattern. Often, even when you feel compelled to take action, you may allow fear, uncertainty, and doubt to keep you from stepping out on faith.
It is easy to get stuck in a holding pattern. Often, even when you feel compelled to take action, you may allow fear, uncertainty, and doubt to keep you from stepping out on faith. Sometimes we get stuck in a holding pattern because we have become comfortable in our current situation. The definition of a holding pattern is a state or period of no progress or change. I, like many others, have felt like I was stuck in a holding pattern. My holding pattern came when I was seeking an administrative position. I had been teaching for 14 years and desired to accelerate into administration. I was accepted into an administration cohort that consisted of 15 candidates. Once the program was completed, we received our Master's degree in Education Leadership and Principal Certification. After three years of program completion, I was the only participant who had not been picked up as an Assistant Principal. I felt like I was in a holding pattern. I begin to doubt myself and my leadership skills. I received so many no's that came in various forms. My support team encouraged me with positive affirmations not to give up, you are qualified, and your time is coming, but with all the encouragement coming my way, the loudest voice I heard was mine.
As I stated, I began to question myself…..Are you qualified to be an administrator? You've been out of the classroom for ten years teaching PE. Do you know instruction? Do you have the communication skills and leadership skills needed to lead educators? All these questions were swirling around my head, doubt and the belief that I was not qualified to reach this far-fetched dream. It didn't matter that I had been named Teacher of the Year, Department Chair, Head Coach, and Athletic Director. It paralyzed me, and for the longest, I would not even try to apply outside my district because I felt I was not good enough to be an administrator. One day, one of my best friends convinced me to put my application in with a neighboring district. I was very reluctant, but I did anyway with very little expectation.
During this time, my family began to talk me through a journey where I knew I needed to change the negative narrative I had been poisoning myself with.
I began to change my negative self-talk by telling myself the opposite. When negative questions popped up in my mind, I would counteract and say something positive. Such as Yes, I am qualified. Yes, I know instruction and how to analyze data to make data-driven instructional decisions. Yes, I have the leadership and communication skills to encourage, motivate, and empower others. At that moment, I realized I needed to start with me. I began using the same empowerment and leadership strategies that I used to tell my student-athletes, coaches, and fellow teachers in my department for my self-improvement. My confidence level began to rise. When I had the opportunity to interview with a neighboring district for the second time, my attitude and confidence level was different, and I walked into the interview expecting to get this position. I was offered the position. Even though I was the last participant in the cohort program to achieve an administration position, I was the only one promoted to Principal after three years. I held that position for 12 years at one school. What negative questions are you asking yourself that cause you to be stuck in a holding pattern?
What positive affirmations do you need to tell yourself to change the self-doubt, uncertainty, or fear you are experiencing?
