Today I learned:
Locus of Control in Parenting: One of the most disconcerting times in life for a parent is knowing your child’s future will be impacted by factors beyond your control.
Our daughter – set to being kindergarten in the fall – has her name in a hat tonight with hundreds of other preschooler’s registered for French Immersion. With more families interested than spots available, the method of schooling of our daughter is now left to chance.
Growing up I didn’t learn another language, and this remains a regret. I would like to provide her with an opportunity I did not have, and it is quite bothersome to know I cannot control the outcome of the draw. It is not a matter of money. I would gladly pay for it it that option was available. It is simply a matter of which names come out of the hat.
So, today I learned for the first time, but certainly not for the last time, that not being able to control the path your child takes through life doesn’t feel good.
[Note @ 2013.02.01: After losing the draw she spent this year in English Kindergarten. It has been mostly great, with some annoyances…but we are now VERY pleased she won the lottery this year and she can switch to French for Gr. 1. Sad for all the other parents and kids that lose out to chance again.]
2. Don’t blame the tech: I participated in a webinar today which got off to a rocky start. Immediately after logging on we were all kicked out and told to wait five minutes then restart, giving the presenter time to deal with a technical issue. The program eventually started 15 minutes late and in turn went 15 minutes long, impacting the rest of my day
Blaming the technology is a nice fallback option to have, but this excuse is starting to feel like crying wolf. When a carpenter learns his trade, the rule #1 is “measure twice, cut once.” Other similar maxim’s include “success is 90% preparation,” and “practice makes perfect.” One of my favorites comes from from Abe Lincoln:
“If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I would spent six hours sharpening the axe”
How come then a similar lesson on preparation for presentations doesn’t seem to catch on? I wouldn’t wing it if I was renovating a bathroom. I would make a plan, learn the tools and find a way to practice. Yet people seem just fine winging it in front of a crowd of people? Here’s hoping this quote, from Wayne Burghaff, one day becomes as popular as the rest:
“It takes one hour of preparation for each minute of presentation time.”
two things i learned today 