The story behind my one word (aka knee surgery sucks!!)

Colleagues,

I go into more depth on this in today’s episode of The Assistant Principal Podcast, but the most important reason to have one word is to increase the intentionality of our actions.

Last year my word was speak and I used it as the litmus test for action.

When faced with a task or opportunity, I simply asked myself, “Is this going to help get me onto a stage to speak?” It focused my actions and helped me avoid distractions.

My 2026 word is move.

Why?

I’m two-weeks off knee surgery as you read this. I’ve been told a knee replacement is the next step. Best case scenario is I’ll be getting one in my early seventies. I’m tough, but I have trouble imagining myself bouncing back from a knee replacement at 70 and being able to hike 15 miles a day with a pack.

For the four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas my knee was locked up and I could barely walk. I had surgery on December 23. The whole thing has been sobering. I do not have many years left to go into the mountains with nothing but a pack and some freeze-dried meals.

I cannot control the inevitable, but if I take care of myself, I can probably increase the number of years (or months) I have left to hike.

When I played football in college, I approached the off-season with a sense of urgency. Every day brought the next season one day closer and I needed to push every day to meet my goals. I have not felt that urgency in a long time. 

But it is back now.

Every day brings my last hike one day closer. I can buy myself more days if I prioritize taking care of it. More on that tomorrow.

Thanks again to IXL for sponsoring today’s episode.

Cheers!

​Frederick