Schedule, Ramble, & Let It Go--3 Keys to Travel & Teaching Success

In April, I visited the Netherlands. We explored Amsterdam (which is absolutely delightful!), but also Haarlem, Leiden, and Delft. Travel allows you to step away from our daily trench to gain a broader perspective. Here are three travel insights apply to coaching as well.

Amsterdam is just such a cute city!

1) Consistent scheduling is key! It's crucial for students--and definitely for me as well.

Vacations can make me a little bit stressed because of the disruption to my regular schedule. I can get a 'just don't know what to do with myself' kind of feeling. I therefore schedule one thing a day to do. The rest is optional, but I'm strategic: I make a list and a map of possible things to do that are in the neighborhood of that one fun scheduled activity. It works! We see and do plenty--but it's not a forced march.

Meanwhile, scheduling disruptions are inevitable in teaching, of course. I'm so grateful for the mutual understanding that we (the parents and I) develop. We all do our best to meet consistently, because that produces the best results.

My epiphany: Like most children, I thrive on a consist schedule. When I began coaching, having sessions scheduled at all times of the day scrambled my brain. I had to create firm teaching slots in my afternoons to help tame the chaos.

But on this vacation I realized that this wonderful side-hustle I have is consistently disrupting my teaching schedule. I love it--but coming back home, I made the decision: the side hustle must go.

2) A Bit of Rambling Creates Magic.

I'm all about researching a place before traveling there.

However, my travel companion thrives on wandering aimlessly. The reason we have such a great time on trips is because we combine both approaches.

I could share a dozen examples from our aimless rambles: discovering the perfect outdoor cafe on a canal during golden hour. Nesting in a dark, four hundred year old distillery, and eating bitterballen after the overwhelm of bustling around a popular, neighborhood. Happening upon a gardening farmer's market while taking a whimsical short cut. Listening to gorgeous violin music under a bridge. Coming upon a shop that sells pepernoten--these amazing little round Dutch cookies and diving in to sample all the varieties.

I take the same approach in teaching. When engaging with teenagers, some of our most valuable discoveries and key insights emerge from random deep dives conversationally. In these moments, teens practice intellectual engagement not as an assignment, but as something enjoyable for its own sake.

3) Expect the Unexpected & Focus on Preparation.

I prepare for my trips for months. I research. I plan. I dream. I consult with travel gurus. This may sound anal retentive, yet I am one mellow traveler. Perhaps its because I expect a few annoyingly unexpected things each trip; things such as inconvienent delays. Yet writing this, I couldn't even remember one frustrating moment of our trip the Netherlands. So I went back and checked my journal. Yes--there were two things, but they were teensy and minor. What I do remember is sitting next to a chatty woman on the plane back to the US who had just been to Iceland and was full of complaints about almost everything. She seemed negatively flustered because so much of the trip just wasn't what she was expecting.

Working with the talented and gifted, I direct our focus on getting down to work day by day instead of focussing on winning trophies. (Trophies such as winning prizes, or contests, or entry into exclusive workshops or camps.) I very much upport learners who apply for exciting chances. In fact, I believe that if you apply for a program, or a special opportunity, you should yourself gold star just for trying. The world has lots of goodie bags scattered throughout it. Those who keep putting their hand in the bags logically haul out prizes more consistently than those who don't try. ***

We can't control getting accepted into this or winning that, but we can control being prepared and ready to apply. We can control building our skill stacks. If you don't get accepted, if the camp is already full, well there's a next time, or another alternative--we'll be just fine. Resiliance is key! Above all, don't take not being chosen personally. This approach is great for confidence. :)

So there you have it: schedule, ramble, and let it go--my three keys for travel success and teaching success!

Does your child need consistency, a chance to explore? Do they need a low pressure, but enthusiastic environment? If you think you need my help, please reach out with your questions. I'm always happy and grateful to meet parents and learn about their hopes and concerns. :) :) :)

As always, if you or someone you’re raising is interested in writing a big project, you can let me know in the contact form and we can chat about you/your learner and the project to see if I can help.

*** I do want to acknowledge that there are so many factors of race, class, and gender that can affect who has the time and energy to seek out these extra goodies, who has access to them, and how the granting bodies may be afflicted with problematic attitudes. I totally get that for some of us the world is definitely not a level playing field.