Small Victories

Being hard pressed to find topics to write about in this most noteworthy of blogs, I finally fell upon some inspiration. Today as some of you know was the Ag Olympics at Ohio State. During the event I managed to place second in the bale toss competition. After the dust cleared on my close second place finish I was overcome with pride in the fact that I hadn't expected to do well and that I had contributed some good points for my team. In reality having a far bale toss is not a real wowing activity, especially since much of the outcome relies on some luck. Also where am I going to take that victory? Not to the hay barn. If the competition was on proper technique I would have failed miserably. So why did I feel so good?

Well I like to think of myself as a victory junky. (Not a Charlie Sheen joke) On a regular basis I try to set myself up for small victories. Maybe I will be at work and I will attempt to make the ball of tape we just pulled up into the trash can across the ballroom, or have a marshmallow catching competition with some block students. No, I’m not just trying to stroke my ego; I don't think it is that big. But small victories can definitely help you maintain your self-esteem and confidence. It's also doesn't hurt to grow your reputation as you perform awesome tasks of random and not so random.

In a teaching setting I feel giving students that small victory on a regular basis is important. Whether it would just be a simple, "great job Johnny!", or having a student take the lead on an important project. Let the students know that they are doing good work, or they have your respect, or that they have the respect of the class.

I am hoping that this is the start of a multi-blog series on my thoughts on victory and defeat. I am simply fascinated of the different components of how victory and defeat can make a person feel. Some planned topics are: Blaming in Defeat, Humble Defeat, Being the Observer, Winning with Style (and without style), Moving the Bar, and the Moment.

"You taught me victories sweet even deep in the cheap seats"

-From Cape Canaveral by Conor Oberst

From the Nosebleeds,

BEEF, BEEF, BEEF, BEEF ...!