I am sorry but I need a break!

The blog is going to go quiet for couple of weeks while I unwind and get rid of the knots, recharge the batteries and gear myself up for another year in Leeds. Take care and look after yourself while I am gone.
Chris

There is no way to happiness.

Happiness is the way, so, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special...

"So, stop waiting...

• until you finish school,
  
• until you go back to school,
  
• until you lose ten pounds,
  
• until you gain ten pounds,
  
• until you have kids,
  
• until your kids leave,
  
• until you start work,
  
• until you retire,
  
• until you get married,
  
• until you get divorced,
  
• until Friday night,
  
• until Monday morning,
  
• until you get a new car,
  
• until your car is paid off,
  
• until spring,
  
• until summer,
  
• until autumn,
  
• until winter,
  
• until the first or fifteenth,
  
• until your song comes on,
  
• until you've had a drink,
  
• until you've sobered up,
  
• until you die,
  
• until...

Remember there is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So...

• Work like you don't need money,
  
• Love like you've never been hurt, and
  
• Dance like no one's watching."

~Author Unknown~

It's Your Choice!

The potential to be exceptional exists within everyone. There are no exceptions. Being exceptional is not defined by what you have or what you do, rather it depends critically on your attitude and the decisions you make...

Extraordinary achievers are ordinary people who make extraordinary decisions about the events in their lives. Your decisions drive your destiny and shape your future. What decisions did you make that have shaped where you are today? If you are dissatisfied with today, what decisions are you willing to make ... right now ... to create a different tomorrow?

It would be easy to justify reasons for other peoples success–- such as lucky breaks, better education, wealthy parents, etc. Yet the truth of the matter is attitude makes the difference between extraordinary achievements and mediocre results. All exceptional achievers make clear deliberate decisions about themselves, their future and their role in the world.

While you can’t change your past and the challenges in your present may “seem” insurmountable, almost every aspect about your future is yet to be decided. Do you choose a path of struggle, hard work,misery and mediocrity? Or do you choose to rewrite your future and become exceptional … however you define that?

The choice is yours.
Chris

Life's Big Prizes!

I found this quote searching the internet...

"Most of us miss out on life's big prizes. The Pulitzer. The Nobel. Oscars. Tonys. Emmys. But we're all eligible for life's small pleasures. A pat on the back. A kiss behind the ear. A four-pound bass. A full moon. An empty parking space. A crackling fire. A great meal. A glorious sunset. Hot soup. Cold beer. Don't fret about copping life's grand awards. Enjoy its tiny delights. There are plenty for all of us."
United Technologies Corporation slogan

Some Questions!

I wonder sometimes what it takes to build brilliant learning places and secure world class outcomes for our young people. What else we could do to release the magic in our young people...

We are already committed to providing a strong and dynamic universal entitlement which includes:

• brilliant teaching;
• intensive coaching;
• small groups;
• access to anytime learning;
• listening to young people's views.
  

We are also committed to providing targeted support for those young people who are not making the expected progress in their early years, their primary years and in their secondary years. This needs us to carefully track and monitor all our young people so that we know early on where to intervene to make a difference.
Chris

‘If we are to achieve the potential improvement in standards from personalisation, we need to create an early years and schools system where all institutions are consistently achieving at the level of the best’.
DCSF Children's Plan

One of my colleagues told me earlier today that I had upset some colleagues with my comments about the contribution outside agencies make to what we are doing here in Leeds. Just to be clear it was at the end of a JAR process which had consumed about six months of our lives and what I said needed to be seen in a wider context..."It is unfortunate that OFSTED, the National Strategies, the National College for School Leadership, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust ...are not yet part of the solution. We are constantly asking ourselves about our effectiveness and how we can refine, develop and do better for our schools. I think that the time has come for us all to stand up and to ask the same questions of these organisations. We need to ask what real value they add to the mix and suggest how we could use the huge resources they consume more powerfully and more effectively!"

I believe that the Six Keys to BRILLIANT are… Performance! Leadership! Teamwork! Attitude! Culture! Ownership & Engagement! We do have some brilliant support from OFSTED, the National Strategies, the National College for School Leadership and the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust but my question is how are we working together to develop real ownership at the grassroots.

Chris

Success Guaranteed!

Imagine that success is guaranteed; that you can achieve your dreams, your goals and be whatever you want to be...

Well follow a simple formula and anything is possible. Whatever you are currently doing, your background, your skills and abilities you can go wherever you want to go, be whatever you want to be and do whatever you want to do. It's your future, your opportunity, your choice!

The way to do it? Simple...

• dream big,,, where do you want to go!
• take ownership... where are you now!
• make decisions... what do you need to do!
• take action... just do it!

What is stopping you?
Chris

Attitude is more important than facts

Those who believe they can, can and those who believe they can’t, can’t...

It is as simple as that and no longer open to question. People fail and people succeed not because of who they are but because of who they think they are. You have been programmed to believe that you are good at some things and rubbish at others. Like Joan of Arc we all hear voices… voices that talk to us all the time and control who we are and what we do.

Who has programmed you? Your family, your friends, your teachers, the media and anyone you listen to. However,the thing that determines your success is your attitude, your beliefs, your emotions about yourself.
Chris

GENIUS!

FACT There is no such thing as genius…

Well perhaps a tiny bit if I am pushed. Success is 30% coaching, teaching, mentoring and supporting and 70% hard work. Look at Tiger Woods, arguably the greatest golfer in the world. He started when he was tiny, focused, was coached by his Dad and worked harder at it than anyone else and he still does. So I’m not clever enough is simply an excuse for the lazy and those not prepared to put in the effort… there are no excuses. Attitude is the force that matters. We all of us have great minds, great talents and great potential… you might not believe it yet but understanding this means that you will be able to achieve so much more. We all know people who have been dealt the worst possible deals in life. People who have been abused, locked up, bullied and oppressed and still succeeded. Just look at Nelson Mandela! When Nelson Mandela was elected as President of South Africa he told the people of South Africa that they were all brilliant, talented, gorgeous and wonderful.

FACT You are all brilliant, talented, gorgeous and wonderful but it’s your choice and there are no excuses.

Seven Steps

"Think, reflect, research, analyse and learn;
Be visible, accessible and available;
Walk the talk and constantly connect with colleagues;
Tell stories; celebrate, praise and challenge;
Teach, coach and model behaviours you want to see;
Get a life... live, love and regularly escape;
Do things to make people feel special."

Lessons from the Geese

Next Autumn, when you see the geese heading south for the winter, flying in a "V" formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way...

"As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily, because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.

If we have the sense of a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are heading the same way we are.

When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.

It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south.

Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

What message do we give when we honk from behind?

Finally - and this is important - when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of the formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies; and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their own group.

If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that."

Great story.
Chris

People who make a difference in your life!

I saw this on the web and wanted to share it with you...


"Take this quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five FA Cup winners.
3. Name the last five Best Films at the Oscars.
4. Name five people who have recently won a Nobel Prize.
5. Name the last five British Prime Ministers.
6. Name the last five World Motor-racing Champions.


How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name five friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a five people who have made you feel, appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name five heroes whose stories have inspired you.


Was this easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care. Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life."
Chris

Success!

Success is about determination, passion, persistence , commitment and resolve...

It's funny how many people constantly tell me why they can’t do things…

o not enough time;

o not enough money;

o not enough experience;

o they are not clever enough.

But actually they are all excuses because if you are energetic enough and determined enough and work hard enough you can do anything. You can change your life by changing your attitude.

OK what is stopping you from being successful… whatever it is, it’s rubbish.
Chris

Success!

It seems to me that successful organisations, successful schools, successful teams, all have the following characteristics...

• a vision, values and sense of purpose which shapes the way colleagues behave and helps everyone know they are making a difference;
• the courage to set challenging goals and to develop new and cutting-edge solutions;
• an innovative and creative culture that values people and makes them feel special;
• an innovative and creative culture that trusts, empowers and engages colleagues distinct and unique talents;
• a rigorous and aggressive approach to evaluating performance and individuals’ contributions;
• a concern for the wider community and the bigger picture;
• a reputation for excellence, hard work and passionate commitment;
• excellent long-term performance.

Chris

It's all about attitude!

FACT: What you think about yourself is the single most important factor in your life...

Everything about you:
o Your personality;
o Your actions;
o How you get along with other people;
o How you perform at work;
o Your feelings;
o Your beliefs;
o Your aspirations;
o Your talents;
o Your abilities…
They are all controlled by how you see yourself.

Are you brilliant, talented, gorgeous and wonderful.
Has anyone told you recently?
How do you see yourself?
Chris