Principal's Corner: February 2012

February 2012

Something to think about!


Often, as I speak with students in my office concerning issues related to being successful in school, such as tardies, absences, failing grades, truancies and so forth, and then pose the question, “What if this were a job, would you be doing this?” Their answer back is, “Well, I wouldn’t be tardy or absent, or I would try harder if it were a real job. My answer back to them is, “You need to understand that being successful in school and obtaining a high school diploma is your job, and correlates to $1,000s down the road. Failure to earn your diploma now will result in far fewer options for employment, and earnings that are far below those who do graduate from high school, and especially those who go onto post- secondary school or training.” Earning a high school diploma opens the door to a successful future with many more options, and the potential for the quality of life most of us would prefer. 


Referring to a strategy used by Hyrum Smith, the founder of Franklin Planners, it would be in a person’s best interest to look ahead 5-15 years down the road of life, and visualize where they see themselves in terms of circumstances, position, or quality of life. After seeing in one’s mind where they wish or desire to be, refer back to their current status or position in the present time, analyze what current performance is taking place, and predict the likelihood of achieving their future plans or goals based on current behavior, habits and actions. If you can clearly see that what you envision for your future, isn’t likely to become reality based on current choices and behaviors, then change and put your life in line with expectations. A popular adage states, “If you want to keep getting what you’ve been getting, keep doing what you’ve been doing. If you want something different, change!” 


Mr. Bergeson