Once February hits, many people realize one thing, “I didn’t stick to my New Year’s resolution.” Whether it was to go to the gym more, eat healthier, stop scrolling through your social media feed so much… whatever it is, by February… a lot of people give up. To all you leaders out there - whether you’re the advisor of your school leadership class or the young leader for your student council - I have some advice. Don’t focus on your New Year’s resolution. Instead, focus on being resolute in all the amazing things you’re already doing. The definition of being resolute is this: “being admirably purposeful.” As a speaker who had the privilege of travelling across Canada in 2024 to share my story and various life lessons I’ve learned in my journey, I couldn’t help but admire the young leaders I met. I didn’t admire the goals they had for their leadership committee. I didn’t admire the aspirations they had for the various activities they wanted to do at their next pep rally. It wasn’t the resolutions they set for themselves that received my admiration. It was their sense of purpose. Whenever I deliver one of my programs to a school, I ensure that I leave enough time to stick around after a presentation to talk with the students one-on-one. Often, I’m not doing most of the talking. I spend most of my time listening. I listen to young leaders tell me all the things they’re doing in their school. And it quickly becomes clear to me that the leaders I’m meeting are filled with purpose. A purpose to make their school a welcoming place. A loving place. A place where everyone feels like they belong.
Every school I’ve visited this year has been resolute. They’ve been admirably purposeful about making their school better. I’ve noticed something else. That resolute quality and character these young leaders have is coming from somewhere. Oftentimes… it’s coming from you… their advisors. If you’re an advisor reading this right now – kudos. I saw what you accomplished in 2024. I saw it firsthand, live and in living colour as I travelled across this awesome country. I saw young people determined to make the school community they live in everyday is better for the people who will live in it after they’ve moved on. And my experience has shown me that the RESOLUTE purpose these students have is a learned behaviour. And they’ve learned it from you awesome advisors out there. So, again… don’t focus too much on resolutions for this year. Especially ones that get dropped, don’t receive “buy in” from the student population, or perhaps get chopped off at the knees by an administrator that lacks your vision. Honestly, just keep doing what you’re doing. Because what you’re doing is awesome. It’s admirable. And it’s filled with purpose. Continue to be resolute in 2025.
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January 2025
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