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In expecting the extraordinary, we encourage others to do their best and use our expectations to inspire great achievements. In order to inspire others, we must inspire ourselves by understanding what we envision as the ideal. Using a notebook or other media which you can save and turn to in the future, write and respond to the following questions. Be honest with yourself, do not try to figure out what would be the ideal or “right” answer. This tool is meant to help you reflect and learn about what personally inspires you at your core.

What is your Ideal?

You have just been chosen to start a new school based on your own teaching and the success of your classroom.

1. What is unique about your classroom and the teaching experience?
2. Why would potential students want to be there?
3. What is the ideal outcome for all involved? Are these outcomes juxtaposed to today’s status quo? If so how and why?
4. What does this ideal contribute to students, parents, colleagues, administration, the community, and yourself?

Why am I here?

Consider what future you envision. Does it match what you are currently doing?

1. Am I in this job to do something or for something to do?
2. Do I come to my students or do they come to me?
3. What is it that I want to do? What do I want to accomplish?
4. Why do I want to do this?
5. Why?…Why?…Why?...Why? (This is like the game young kids play. Ask yourself why you gave the previous answer and then ask why you gave that answer. Keep going until you are confident you have really drilled down to the true reason why you want to do what you envision doing.)

What drives me?

The following exercise encourages you to reflect on your inspirations. Once you have completed this section, you can consider how you personally relate to the ideal you just developed.

1. What mission absolutely obsesses me?
2. What is my ideal work community?
3. In what do I absolutely and totally believe or feel passionately about?
4. What is my dream about my work?

Where is my support?

1. Do I inspire myself?
2. Where do I get meaningful recognition?
3. Who sees into my soul?

The answer to this question can serve as a reminder of what recognition “really” matters to you. The person who knows your inspirations, knows what drives you, and sees into your soul is the only one who can truly recognize what it is that makes you do what you do. These are the people that constitute your community of trust and can help you to accomplish the extraordinary.