Productive Discomfort

This week, I have the privilege of attending the Future Ready Schools regional summit in Chicago.  Last night, after getting back from Wrigley Field with my family (Go Cubs!), I realized I needed to get a quick workout in.  As I was struggling through my push ups and sit ups I found myself asking, "Why am I doing this?" It's late.  I'm tired. I worked out yesterday... It really is a pretty good question....why do we do uncomfortable things?  What is the value of discomfort?

Discomfort is a good thing IF it's productive.  You see, I've made a commitment with a group of friends to do 100 push ups and 100 sit ups a day for 100 days.  I've made a commitment and I wasn't going to break it.  Additionally, I know that working out makes me healthier.  Our default mindset is to avoid discomfort.  We don't like it.  It HURTS!  It's uncomfortable! 

This got me thinking about schools.  Do schools need to be uncomfortable? Think about the workout analogy.  I make myself uncomfortable because it's productive.  It builds endurance and strength.  My doctor tells me it helps my choloestoral go down and my life expectancy go up!  So the discomfort of working out is productive.

The same is true of schools.  We need "productive discomfort!"  Schools where comfort is the priority are schools that aren't serving the needs of kids.  As we learn and grow and get better as teachers, we have to embrace discomfort...When it's productive it takes us from where we are and moves us to where we want to be.

Dave