Passion, Persistence and Hard Work

The keys to success are passion, persistence and hard work and setting goals and personal targets is a vital part of the process because it helps us stay focused on where we are going as well as helping with motivation in the short term.

By setting goals and targets we are able to measure and constantly and consistently celebrate our achievements and our successes and focus on the areas where we are not achieving great outcomes. People talk about consistency as the English problem but we need to remember that so much of what we are doing in schools across the country is world class; outstanding and extra-ordinary. 

It's a very negative world out there and many organisations are struggling with the long pointless grind as they are told that aspects of what they are doing are barely adequate. We need to flip this message on its head and develop a culture of success and relentlessly search for the exceptional, the wonderful and the magical which from my experience is there in almost every school I have ever visited. We need to remember that we have seen some simply breathtaking progress and some remarkable achievements over the years particularly where colleagues have felt trusted, empowered, energised and able to release their magic. We must continue to create a culture of excellence in brilliant learning places where colleagues passionately believe in what they are doing. By setting ourselves ambitious and stretching goals, which we work towards with real discipline, rigour and focus, we can raise colleagues self-esteem and self-confidence, and help colleagues recognise their ability, potential and magic. The first steps any of us need to consider in setting our own personal goals are those where we consider what we want to achieve. So, what you want to do with your 'wild and precious life' now, tomorrow or 10 years into the future.

Chris