Not Easy, but Worth It #IMMOOC
Think of someone who you look up to, someone you admire, someone who inspires you. Do you ever ask yourself how in the world they’re accomplishing all that they are doing? How are they so amazing? Do they have a magical gift or have some kind of special talent? You want to be more like them and embody some of their amazing skills and strengths, know-how, and way of doing. What’s their secret? What is the trick?!
Here’s the truth…
There
is
no
trick!
As someone who constantly looks up to others to get inspired, encouraged, supported, and pushed, I am often guilty of drooling over other people’s “togetherness” while they make everything look so easy. But, what I’ve also come to realize over the years as people have shared with me that they see me as one of those people that has it all together, that moves mountains and makes it look easy, is that this is not reality. What you see, the successes, the final product, all the things that get done, those are just on the surface. What we fail to see is everything that goes on in the background. Everything that happens behind the scenes. Everything under the water, that goes unnoticed. The blood, sweat, and tears. The HARD work. The TIME. The stress. The sacrifices. The late nights and early mornings. People don’t see those as often which leads to a skewed perception or the illusion that success comes easily, quickly, and effortlessly.
The truth of the matter is, I am my own worst critic. I often feel as though I am falling short, in many aspects of my life. Right now, my passion lays in my work. I love what I do, I love growing and learning and continuing to strive to be the best teacher that I can be. But, this doesn’t mean that it’s easy. In fact, the more I work at it, the more I feel as thought I’m not doing enough. Ask my husband, he will tell you that he literally holds down the fort as I work ridiculous hours and chose to blog, take part in Twitter chats, or read educational books after our kids are in bed at night. Or, ask my mom and dad (with whom we’re living right now as we’re between houses for one month) who commented just last week on all of the extras I am currently doing in my work every evening, sometimes going back to work, sometimes just tapping away on the computer prepping). My mom said “it’s no wonder you’re exhausted”. Ask my kids who have certainly felt the absence of their own mother being completely drained and not having much left to give them at the end of the day. Ask my students, who have seen me yawn far too many times that I would like this school year already. Ask my colleagues, who have listened, hugged me and wiped my tears away after days where I felt I wasn’t good enough. Ask me, and I will tell you that it is not easy, but it is worth it (even though, on this Friday night, I am done, my brain is mush, but all I can do it lay in bed and blog to try and recharge and feel successful at something today).
So, next time you look up to someone and wonder how they’re holding it all together, take the time to tell them how amazing they are… they are working HARD even if they make it look easy. Chances are that that little comment will resonate and help them to keep pushing on… because this path, the path to success, is not an easy one, but it is certainly worth it!
Ariel
October 13, 2017 at 10:19 pmThis transparency is so important! It’s easy to drool over someone’s work without thinking of the commitment and sacrifices they made to meet their goals! Thanks for being honest!
Annick Rauch
October 14, 2017 at 7:02 amThank you, Ariel! Transparency is so important, but even at that, sometimes transparency isn’t always seen! No superpowers… just hard work! 🙂
Nicole
October 14, 2017 at 4:17 amThis post is wonderful – it’s easy to get sucked into the belief that others have it all together without realizing that doesn’t happen without hard work. Thank you 🙂
Annick Rauch
October 14, 2017 at 7:03 amThank you, Nicole! Hard work is what it takes for sure, even though it’s not always easy!
Ramona Meharg
October 14, 2017 at 5:08 amSo true! I sometimes get annoyed with a colleague who will say, “you’re such a good teacher.” I’m annoyed because I put a lot of time, effort and sweat into it. Sometimes the little devil on my shoulder wants to respond, “You would be too if you actually put some time into it.” But that would be petty. And I’m too busy learning, anyways! Thanks for the post!
Annick Rauch
October 14, 2017 at 7:07 amI hear you, Ramona! If often get well intentioned comments along the lines of “I don’t know how you do it” and want to respond by saying “I work my butt off, that’s how” 🙂
Ramona Meharg
October 14, 2017 at 9:11 am👏🏻❤️👍I hear ya, sista!
Diann Espinoza
October 15, 2017 at 3:15 pmThis sounds just like me! I am so pulled in different directions and my husband is now regretting that I went for teaching and not nursing! I am often in agony as I try new things and they fail miserably to get my students engaged. My mind goes a mile a minute most of the time as I am shifting my philosophy from follow the status quo to a vision of the future where schools are places secondary level kids can’t wait to get to each day. Your blog is very inspiring to this like-minded person 🙂
Annick Rauch
October 15, 2017 at 4:18 pmThanks so much, Diann! I’m glad it resonated with you and really appreciate you commenting to let me know. We are in this together! 💜
Kathryn Finch
October 22, 2017 at 10:58 amWe NEED to hear this. It isn’t easy and it’s so helpful to hear from the people who I admire and think are so put together, that it’s hard work for them too. Thank you so much for sharing.
Annick Rauch
October 22, 2017 at 11:04 amThanks, Kathryn! Thankfully, it being hard is much more manageable when we are surrounded by real people who don’t shy away from expressing how hard is truly is!
Theresa Ducassoux
November 1, 2017 at 6:21 pmI have that phrase, (“I didn’t say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it!”) hanging up in my classroom. I think teachers need to remember it just as much as the students. Thank you for your honesty in this post and for the reminder!
Annick Rauch
November 1, 2017 at 7:41 pmThank you, Theresa!
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