A Pencil is Useless Until it is Sharpened.

At first, the pencil resents the sharpener.

Much like the young athlete resents the tough coach.
Much like the child who resents after-school piano lessons.
Much like the student who resents the demanding teacher.

But after being sharpened a few times, the pencil begins to understand something powerful:

The sharpener doesn’t hurt me.
It reveals my edge and unlocks my purpose.

Teachers, the students sitting in your classrooms right now are filled with graphite – ideas, intelligence, and potential.

Sharpen them!

Dull pencils cannot fulfill their purpose.
And dull expectations produce dull outcomes.

Apply pressure.
Maintain the standard.
Refuse to lower the bar.

Sharpen them. (They will thank you later)

When We Lose Our Excuses, We Find Results.

Students,

Let’s shift from an Excuse Mindset to an Adjustment Mindset.

Instead of making excuses, make adjustments.

When we stumble, adjust.

When we fall short, adjust.

When we make mistakes or fail, adjust.

Please, we must stop blaming our weaknesses and shortcomings on someone or something else. We must reflect on our own actions, and then make the proper ADJUSTMENTS!

The Breakthrough

There is a certain peace that comes when you stop obsessing over when the breakthrough will happen and start trusting that your consistent work is moving you closer to it.

Breakthroughs don’t happen on their own. They come from preparation, discipline, consistency, and faith in the process.

So, Keep planning. Keep working. Keep showing up. Keep doing the right things, even when the results are not immediate.

The breakthrough is coming. Because when opportunity meets preparation, success follows.

Be ready.

Become Real Good Friends with “Self-Discipline.”

If we want to be great, not good, not decent, not “just ok.”

Not third, not second, but the absolute best at what we do, then we have to become real good friends with Self-Discipline.

Yes, you and Self-Discipline will have to be on a first name basis.You and Self-Discipline will have to be well acquainted.

Once we begin to discipline ourselves and begin to exercise control over that beast within us, well then – greatness is well within our reach.

Rugged Hard Work

Rugged hard work changes our lives for the better.

After we commit to the work, everything in life begins to inch forward.

We begin to notice a shift from dormancy to Activity.

From scarcity to Wealth.

From distraction to Laser-like Focus.

Rugged hard work is the turning point.

Washing Feet

Some of you have never served anybody in your life… You don’t even think that way! You think it’s belittling to be a servant. But I’m telling you that serving is empowering!

When Christ got ready to show us how high He was, He did it by showing us how low He could become. He took on the form of a servant, wrapped a towel around His waist like a waiter, dropped down on His knees, and started washing feet.

How dare you talk about what you’re too good to do!

– This post has been Remixed and Borrowed from the sermon, Principles of Service by T.D. Jakes.

Maurice Guest Jr., is an education administrator from Little Rock, Arkansas. Check him out on Instagram here.

 

Addition by Subtraction

Spend quality time with your family AND with yourself.

Sometimes we are on edge because we haven’t made time to enjoy a personal habit, read a magazine or book, or just chill – alone.

Just the same, we want to spend more time with our kids, our spouses, our family.

We have to do both!

We have to dedicate time to our families and to ourselves. Even if that means eliminating other obligations. It’s math – Addition by Subtraction.

 

Maurice Guest Jr., is an education administrator in Little Rock, Arkansas. Check him out on Instagram here.