The "Idea Beam"

I see my projects as large beams, "idea beams" if you will. Every idea can be represented by a beam of some size and weight (depending on the complexity of the idea).

At the beginning, the beam is laying on the ground. In order to get the idea off the ground it must be supported by a plan. A plan requires support and action to keep the idea off the ground. If either support dissolves, or action is never taken, the idea will never get off the ground.

If it is a small idea it may require only a few people to support the idea and only a few (sometimes only me) to act on it. Most of my ideas are extremely cumbersome beams. I work with the educators to gain support for the plan and everyone helps me lift that end off of the ground then set it on a strong foundation. I move to the "action" end of the beam and I find that no one follows me to help me.

What causes such a lack of action on ideas that they agree are so great? Are they disempowered? Unmotivated? Lazy? Unappreciative? Is it learned helplessness? whatever it is, it is causing me a lot of excess stress.

What they seem to be forgetting is that I am here to help them do, not do for them. They have been waiting for the Department of Education to do everything for them for years. Maybe they see me as someone hired by the DOE to come and do their work for them. Do they not realize that I am separate from the DOE and I even though I have similar goals, I am not here to do all of the work that the DOE promised they would do? It seems not.

I guess it's time to take a few steps back and re-re-establish an understanding with the educators of what is required of them. My principal said she understands what I am going through and that she too has yet to completely coax the desire and willingness to help make change out of them. She says "you're growing", I say, "We'll see".