Colleagues,
 
MVP: Thank you Mara, Collin, and others!
 
I’m writing this on Sunday evening and won’t be back into full work mode until Monday morning, so I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you.
 
Thank you, Mara, for providing the peace of mind which allowed me to walk away from our work for five weeks.
 
Thank you, Collin, for making sure the podcasts were edited, loaded, and ready each week on time.
 
Thank you, all of you who invested time reading and responding to the messages Mara and I shared the past six weeks.
 
Thank you Pam, for loving, understanding, and walking alongside me these past 35 days and, more importantly, the past 35 years.
 
I will begin metaphorically unpacking the leadership lessons from my Grand Adventure on the Pennine Way later this week, but today I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who held down the fort and invested in our mission while I was gone.
 
Today’s intention: Think about someone who has helped you this summer and consider reaching out to give them a big “thank you!”

Cheers!

Frederick

Colleagues,

​MVP: We’re all just trying to figure it out

I have this ongoing joke with myself. When people ask me “So, what are you doing?” I always reply with “Ahhh, just trying to figure it out, ya know?”

It’s become a joke because I’ve realized that that is true for all of us. I see my siblings just trying to figure it out, my schoolmates just trying to figure it out.

I think I had this big realization when my dad began this business. After decades of being in one career path, he was still trying to figure it all out.

I oftentimes take life way too seriously, as I am sure many of us do. Having this realization has helped with that. 

Recognizing that we are all just trying to figure it out gives me peace, and also discomfort knowing that even 40 years from now, I’ll still be trying to figure it out. 

Today’s Intention: Give yourself and others grace - we are all on the path of figuring it out. 

Sending Sunshine,

Mara

It’s been awesome writing to y’all this week. Check out my recap of this week’s emails on The Assistant Principal Podcast! If you have any thoughts about my thoughts, please don’t hesitate to reach out - I love some good feedback ;)

Colleagues,

MVP: Everyone is a stranger until you talk to them

Growing up in a small town, waving at everyone and chatting with folks in the grocery store was second nature to me. Now that I am in a bigger city, I often become frustrated and isolated with the lack of small connections and gestures I notice. I wonder if others feel similarly. 

There have been moments where I’ve been in my own little world, but the smile or hello from someone else brought me into the present and changed the course of my day. Imagine, if a wave or a hello could brighten someone else’s day, why would we not do it constantly? I suppose life gets in the way of life. Funny how that works. 

Today’s Intention: For the rest of this month, I urge you to be mindful of who you pass by. Give them a wave or hello.There are many people that feel isolated and invisible, and that small gesture could change the course of someone’s day, week, or life.

Sending Sunshine,

Mara

Colleagues,
​
​MVP: Investing in yourself is investing in others

Like many, I make things more complicated than they need to be. Last week, I was feeling burnt out (if you've experienced burnout, check out yesterday’s ​episode​ with Dr. Helen Kelly). I was in the mood to be creative so I began thinking of all that I could do. I’ve been wanting to learn how to crochet, but I knew that learning this new skill would take time and energy that I didn’t have.

So, I went to Walmart (ew) and bought a $4 variety pack of markers. I don’t think I’ve gotten a new pack of markers since 4th grade, and I was quite excited.

I decided to make myself a bookmark. After I finished, I sent a picture of the bookmark to a friend of mine and she loved it so much that she wanted one. All of sudden, something I was doing for myself became doing something from someone else and bringing them joy.

I made my friend a bookmark, I wrote her a note, and sent it off in the mail. 

Investing in yourself is investing in others. I knew that I wanted and needed to do something creative, something that fueled my inner-child. Ultimately, it turned into spending time and energy on others, which made me feel great and purposeful. 

You aren’t wasting time doing “silly” things - you are acknowledging the child in yourself, feeding it, and allowing yourself to flourish for the good of others. 

Today’s Intention: Do something for your inner-child. Who knows, maybe it’ll end up benefiting those around you. 

Sending Sunshine,

Mara

Colleagues,
​
​MVP: Just show up!

Are you showing up for yourself and others? What does that even look like?

As I move into my mid-twenties, I am continuing to learn so much about myself. Part of that is recognizing that I struggle with consistency. I often have an “all or nothing” mentality, which can really prevent me from meeting my goals. 

In reality, some days are better than others. Some days we wake up and feel excited and ready to take on the world. Yet, there are many days we do not. Telling myself to “Just show up” allows me to be honest with what I’m feeling and still do the best I can. 

Ultimately, just show up.

Showing up for yourself and others IS success, and it WILL look different everyday! In the end, showing up no matter what will help you meet your goals and make an impact on others. 


Today’s Intention: How are you showing up today? Take a moment to check in with yourself. Give yourself permission (and grace) to show up the best you can. 

Sending Sunshine,

Mara