“In life, you don’t sore to the level of your hopes and dreams, stay stuck at the level of self-worth. You don’t rise to what you believe is possible, you fall to what you believe you’re worthy of.” – Worthy by Jamie Kern Lima (p. 9)

As I write my last blog post of 2024, I feel an enormous sense of gratitude for the people I’ve met along the way, those who inspire me to rise to my hopes and keep me grounded in this work.

Education and leadership are important work. They are people work. They are heart work. It’s easy for others to stand on the sidelines, offering opinions or judgments without truly understanding the day-to-day celebrations and challenges of what we do. As my friend Meghan Lawson writes in Legacy of Learning, “The world doesn’t need more perfect people or more people who are focused on winning the approval of others. The world needs rolled-up sleeves and whole hearts.”

That’s why we’re here, to make a lasting impact, to help others rise to their hopes. 

In my last blog post, Leading Forward, I shared: “As you step into this next chapter, take a moment to celebrate how far you’ve come.” 

Because others believe in me and I work toward believing in myself, I’m able to believe in you. I hold tightly to the belief that we can rise to the level of our hopes and dreams, instead of letting others define our self-worth.

Jamie Kern Lima’s words remind me of this important truth: You don’t rise to what you believe is possible; you fall to what you believe you’re worthy of. Let’s focus less on likes, reposts, and others’ opinions, and more on the people we serve, their hearts, their growth, their potential, while inviting other perspectives. Let’s not let self-doubt or fear dim our light. Let’s rise to our hopes. 

This week, I stepped back for a much needed vacation and let others make decisions for me, a rare but necessary act. One moment that stood out was a conversation with our daily waiter on our cruise. After serving our family, he took a moment to ask, “Is your family happy with my service?” There was genuine care in his voice, and he went on to share, “I love what I do.”

That moment was important to me. His pride and joy in his work were contagious, and it reminded me that when we truly love what we do, it lives within those we serve. If we embrace that same love and passion for our work, it will inspire our teachers to do the same. And in turn, our students will grow into the best versions of who they are meant to be and rise to their hopes. 

It reminded me that your strengths and setbacks are like lanterns, illuminating the path you’re meant to follow. You’re not defined by past missteps but by the intentions we set now and in the future.

George Couros recently shared a quote HERE from Lainie Rowell, a contributor in my book, The Leader Inside: “What if we all had the audacity to believe in ourselves as much as those who see greatness within us? What limitless possibilities would unfold if we were so bold?”

So, write the book, apply for the job, lead a team, take your seat at the table, bring an idea to fruition, collaborate with others, celebrate the small wins, and share your story with others because you never know who needs to hear it. 

As we close out this year, I want to leave you with this:

I believe in you.

I believe in your ability to rise above self-doubt and embrace the greatness within you. 

Your work and hopes matter, and so do you.