Anything that is worth doing is worth doing badly...

I know that what makes blogs successful and had people want to keep coming back for more is if one keeps posting regularly (and of course with interesting and cool stuff!). I have been immersed in "beginning-of-semester-getting-things-going" mode, and sadly neglecting my blog :( Now that my students are on their own blog journey, I need to lead by example, right?!!

One of my favorite saying to help me kick myself in the butt and get going is, "Anything that is worth doing is worth doing badly!" This may initially appear to be a plug for mediocrity, but actually it is quite the opposite. I think of how often, even as a child in elementary school, I would struggle to start something because I didn't know where to begin or was afraid of doing badly. The result was really bad .. i.e. nothing! Overcoming the inertia of just starting is hard when I feel like I have to produce excellence right off the bat. So what I have learned is if I give myself permission just to start -- anywhere -- and then if I feel like stopping, that's okay. At least I have started.

I follow this philosophy with exercise, too: My rule is that I have to change into my exercise clothes and go outside (if I plan to run, walk or cross country ski) or stand on the treadmill. I am then allowed to go back inside/get off the treadmill and do nothing further! Just knowing that I allow myself to opt out after even the smallest start gets me over the hurdle of starting. I have never actually (so far) quit without at least walking or jogging for at least 5 minutes (which is a whole lot better than not all all!), but usually I manage a respectable amount of time and effort. Rather than doing badly, it actually is a reasonable beginning, and sometimes is even great.

As a teacher I believe that it is really important for me to help my students develop courage and the confidence in their ability to try to do things that they might not believe they can do well. If you give yourself permission to start out badly, to be playful about your initial (and even subsequent) attempts, and even to try to make mistakes so that you learn form these, if can become really fun and a whole new adventure!

So this is what I will try to model here with my blog, and invite my students and anyone else out there who may stray across this blog to join me. Let's go on an adventure in Cyberland and see what we can learn about what is out there. Let's try new tools, subscribe to geeky apps, and see what they do (always making sure, of course, to follow basics of Internet safety, like not giving out home address and phone number). I look forward to learning along with all of you and sharing my own learning with you!