The most successful people I know go and figure it out. Too many people figure it out and never go.
More on that in a second, but as always, a bit of a setup.
Recently, I had the opportunity to keynote the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) conference in Houston, Texas, on “Forward, Together,” and it was an incredible experience.
Not only because there is a big momentum shift toward “Forward, Together” and the focus of bringing communities together and learning from where we disagree, but also because I have worked in Texas for years, know many people there, and knew it was going to be a great event!
Because of that, I brought a good friend of mine, who happens to be an incredible videographer, along, and he captured footage of my talk, which I wanted to share with you below.
Not only is the video below a snippet of my talk, but it also shares why “Forward, Together” matters so much to me and why it is essential for building communities.
Check out the video below, and I want to share a few takeaways.
Because I like to think in threes, I want to share a few takeaways about the process of creating this video.
1. You Are More Capable Than You Think
First of all, I edited the entire video myself on CapCut! There is a reason I share this with you.
The video might not be perfect, but over the years, my approach in these spaces has been to focus on my own learning and growth. I do not have the equipment to do the video, but I did have the software to edit it myself, so I wanted to try.
Personally, I love how it turned out, even though I know there are some flaws and things that I was not able to do without higher-level software.
And when I sent the video to my dear friend, Dr. Katie Novak, she asked me who produced it and said it is so “professional!” When I told her that I did it myself, she shared the following:
The lesson here: You might not be able to do exactly what you want, but you are often more capable than you think. And I am not limiting this thinking to video editing.
Try the “thing” yourself, and don’t be scared if it’s not perfect. Even if it is (which it never will be), someone will criticize it anyway.
Focus more on your satisfaction with what you create than on anything else.
If you don’t, you will become more consumed by others’ perceptions and lose yourself in the process.
2. Listen to Feedback, but Don’t Lose Yourself
Two people gave me feedback on the video’s order, and they had opposite views. Knowing that I would disappoint one or the other with my decision, I moved forward with what made the most sense to me. I didn’t overthink it, though. I just did it and lived with my decision.
Now when I say, “I would disappoint one or the other,” that is not totally true, if even true at all. At the beginning of the day, they might be bothered for a minute if I didn’t take their feedback, but at the end of the day, they won’t care. But I will.
So when your gut tells you something, it is usually right. Go with that.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t listen to feedback.
When I wrote “Forward, Together,” I asked people subscribed to the newsletter to choose among three cover options, knowing which one I wanted most. The majority of people disagreed with me, which doesn’t necessarily mean I would change my mind. It was their reasoning.
I asked them not only which cover they preferred, but why they chose the one they did. That feedback pushed my answer in a different direction, and they talked me into something with thoughtful explanations.
This is literally the premise of “Forward, Together.”
Be open to feedback and different ideas, but at the end of the day, be comfortable being wrong. But you always have to stick with your principles, which is why I wrote the following:
Last one.
3. A Meaningful Message Matters More Than a Perfect Delivery
I believe in “Forward, Together” and the ideas behind it. So much so that people have noticed that I have been “pushing” this more than anything else I have done in the past. I really believe in this message and the power of communities coming together. I have said that one of my goals right now is to be the person who seems to be obsessed with bringing people together. I would rather be that than a divider.
But I am a flawed person (as we all are).
And I make mistakes in writing.
I also say “filler” words when I talk.
There are so many reasons I could use to “polish” my message before I deliver it. But I would rather have a flawed approach with a message I am passionate about than a perfect delivery and a message that does not drive me.
Too many people I know are brilliant and don’t share a meaningful message because they overthink the delivery. They get in their own way. I started “speaking” not because I wanted to become a speaker, but because I was passionate about what I had to say.
The same is true with writing.
Years ago, someone sent me a nasty email because I said “bare with me” when it is “bear with me” at the beginning of my post. They wouldn’t read the rest because they said I lost credibility for using the wrong version of the word (I still think it is a stupid rule unless there is an actual BEAR with you, which you should probably run or lie still, depending on the type of bear #ThingsYouLearnInCanada). If perfection is the standard I am held to, I am bound to disappoint. And one of the best things about AI right now is that it is pushing people to crave authenticity more than anything.
And authenticity comes with flaws. That is part of its beauty.
The most successful people I know go and figure it out. Too many figure it out and never go.
I know my choice.
And with those reflections, I present my video to you again.
I am very proud of it, not because it is 4 minutes of editing, but because it encapsulates some of my flaws and what I have learned up to this point.
If you watch it and enjoy it, I am going to be one of those YouTubers to ask you to “Like and Comment” and even share it with others! You can even subscribe to the channel if you want, but I don’t want to push it!
I hope to get it out to the world to make it a bit better.
Thank you so much for being here and for any sharing and support you can provide. It means a great deal to me! If you share it anywhere on social media (again, greatly appreciated), please tag me! That would mean a great deal! Thank you!
If these ideas resonate with your school community, I’d love to explore how we can bring the “Forward, Together” message to your next event. Explore my keynote speaking topics.
