When you want something badly enough, and you know what that is, it changes you, and it can change others. It pushes you to move when you’re tired, to decide when it’s uncomfortable, and to stay when it would be easier to walk away. And so the question becomes…what do you want? And for leaders, what do WE want?
All achievement, no matter what its
nature or purpose, must begin
with an intense, burning desire
for something definite.
— Napoleon Hill
Watch "That Burning Desire" on the Educators Among Us Podcast
What do you want? That's an important question to ask at defining moments.
When first meeting a young man at the door who is picking up your daughter.
When hiring an educator who will influence students and represent the school.
When convening with upset parents where emotions have surpassed reason.
Understanding motivation is a vital way to assess how decisions will be made.
How closely does their internal drive match up with our external expectations?
Life is an ongoing process of choosing
between safety and risk for the
sake of progress and growth.
— Abraham Maslow
Our organization's culture is predictive of the energy and desire for excellence.
So many schools and systems are devoutly designed using disincentives to lead, with exhausting bureaucracy, rampant conflicts of interest, and confused goals.
Fear, uncertainty, and doubt dominate the culture due to the risks involved.
Wisdom leads us to honestly evaluate the incentives used with colleagues and students to ensure responsible alignment with promised progress and growth.
May He grant you your heart's desire
and fulfill all your plans!
— Psalm 20:4
We become remarkably more productive when we're clear about what we want.
Indecision is an energy drain because every situation requires reconsideration. Yet such motivating certainty still remains a rare and demanding achievement.
Some find inspiration for their desire in the beauty of creation, while others opt to delight in the Creator to experience the greatest level of love, peace, and joy.
So decide what you want, what you really really want, and get your act together.
Let clarity invade your life, giving you that burning desire that lights the way to achievement.
Listen to "That Burning Desire" on the Educators Among Us Podcast
