Some Thoughts on "Greatness"

As the time when I embrace my new career(s) fast approaches, I can't help but think on the end goal in mind. Teaching is not a pursuit of normalcy, but rather one of passion. Because of this, there is an expectation I hold myself to, and it's actually that very expectation which is making me feel daunted and horrified about my endeavor.

This expectation being Greatness.

While there is an allotment for "the learning curve" in Greatness, I tend to approach it with a childish impatience. In any case, I've noticed that in all my pursuits, whenever I sought Greatness it wasn't circumstantial, instead it was the meeting of my expectations of Greatness. I've met people who were great runners, ultimate players, mathematicians, and instructors, and they have an interesting take on their Greatness: it doesn't exist.

The pursuit of Greatness is something which may propel us to being great, however, if one never meets their expectation of Greatness they may feel they have fallen short or even frivolously attained upward mobility. A great instructor could change a kids perspective on a given subject matter, and this instructor may do this more often then not, but if this instructor feels that they can only be great if they affect every student this way, they may feel disappointed.

Essentially, I'm learning that approaching Greatness isn't something to be done lightly. It requires a series of small and specific goals, slowly ratcheting up in difficulty. It takes time, patience, and most importantly pragmatism. My goal as an instructor is to inspire. I will feel I am a great instructor when I regularly feel like I am engaging my students. Perhaps I should work towards this by first structuring my lessons well! I can't inspire a student with a lesson if I can't even write it!

I always hate ending a deep thought with a formula, but it appears that pursuing Greatness is something which required A Great Patience from the onset.