If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.
Sometimes you have to create your own path, take charge and not wait around for things to just happen to, or for you.
When my daughters are at summer camp one of their favorite activities is to play gaga. Don’t feel bad if you don’t know what it is – I didn’t either! Think dodgeball in a big round enclosed pit. My younger daughter especially was hooked. She was great at it and the more she played her confidence grew and grew.
She was beyond excited to find out her new middle school had a gaga pit in the recess playground! She couldn’t wait to start school just so she can get back to playing gaga. Even though it was a new school for her, she had something she enjoyed and was good at to break the ice with the new kids she would be meeting. Every afternoon at recess she heads straight to the gaga pit and usually ends up being one of the last 2 remaining players.
She came home one day and said “I want to create a gaga team!”
My older daughter told her she wouldn’t be able to because no one ever did it before.
I, on the other hand told her the exact opposite. If she wants a team she could be the first to create it!
Here’s what happened:
We spoke to the gym teachers – they loved the idea and after only less than 2 weeks of school already knew how great she was at gaga.
They suggested she start by creating a club – collect names from kids that would be interested, then present the idea to the principal.
I created a simple sign up form for her to get the names during recess. This is where you have to know your strengths. She’s the idea person and the athlete, not the public speaker. She collected a few names but knew she’d need help in getting the rest. While she was playing, she got another friend to collect the names of the kids as they got eliminated. Teamwork!!
They got over 20 names AND she got the commitment from her gym teacher to oversee the club.
With the list of names and the commitment from her gym teacher, she went to the principal’s office to present her idea.
I’m happy (and so proud of her) to say there’s going to be a new gaga club in her middle school starting in October! Woo Hoo!!
Lesson learned – when you really want something, go for it. You can absolutely create something from nothing. All you need is a strong desire, be hyper focused on the outcome, not worry about how it’s going to happen, surround yourself with positive supportive people who believe in you, cheer you on, AND hold you accountable!
What’s something you’ve been wanting to create?
