I know that it's not a good idea when I think instead of sleeping but my ramblings recently reminded me about why I do what I do...

I love what I do and I passionately believe that we are making an incredible difference here in Leeds. However, it isn't enough and we need to do more. We need to find a way to work smarter, to focus ruthlessly on standards and outcomes for our young people. At the heart of this is the vision, the values and the beliefs that shape Education Leeds as a truly brilliant organisation... a commitment to people and to relationships, a belief in their potential and a relentless focus on doing whatever it takes to achieve great things and to release the magic. We all have such enormous potential to change the world for the better. Not necessarily in big chunks but in small pieces that together achieve great things... in bite-size pieces that can move mountains.

It's funny but after nearly eight years here in Leeds I am still unconvinced that we all live, eat and breathe this agenda; that we all thrive on what we are doing and don't see it simply as a job. That we get to work and think that we are so lucky to be doing this and serving the young people of Leeds and don't see it as a chore. That we all come to work everyday determined to make a difference and don't spend our time on the mobile phone or thinking about what we will be doing at the end of the day.

This job we do is so important to the health and well-being of the city and if you don't believe in what you are doing you should go and find something where you do pasionately believe and live that dream instead. Why waste your life doing something that doesn't excite you, that doesn't stimulate you, that doesn't make you think WOW aren't I lucky to be here!

Chris