Build Your Impossible

  Navigating a New World: The Strength of Today’s Students A few weeks ago, at a conference, we were asked to complete the sentence, "Kids these days…” My first thought was, “Have the ability to learn anything for free”, but the more I thought about the question, I added a few things to my perspective in a different way.  Kids these days are asked to navigate a world unlike anything we have ever seen, and they are doing so with incredible resilience, adaptability, and strength. The Challenge of Devices and Social Media Today’s students are growing up in an era where smartphones, social media, and 24/7 connectivity are normal. While these technologies offer amazing opportunities—instant access to information, global connections, and platforms for creativity—they also present challenges. Students must learn to manage the constant notifications, the pressure of social comparison, and the addictive nature of these devices. Technology today requires students to have an incredible amoun

Celebrating Every Win on Your Journey Have you ever found yourself comparing your achievements to others, only to feel like you’ve fallen short? It’s so easy to get caught up in the pursuit of the gold medal, the highest honor, the ultimate goal—whether in our personal lives, professional careers, or even in our day-to-day tasks. But what if we shifted our mindset? What if we started celebrating the bronze medal moments, recognizing the simple joy and gratitude of just being on the podium? I recently listened to an episode of Mel Robbins’ podcast, where she talked about the “Bronze Medal Mindset.” I quickly connected. It is about being thrilled to be where you are and filled with gratitude for your journey. A rich life is not just about looking up and seeing how close you were to the silver or gold; it’s about appreciating that you’ve made it to the podium, a place many others didn’t reach or might never reach. The Olympic Lesson: A Reflection on Consistency and Perseverance A week ago

The last week and a half has been packed with inspiration. Energy has come from watching Katie Ledecky claim her ninth gold medal, Noah Lyles crush the 100-meter dash, Colleen Hoover, best-selling author of It Ends With Us, and Steven Spielberg do amazing things with the production of "Twisters”, Simon Biles do outstanding work in gymnastics to witnessing both of my boys dive into entrepreneurship. While watching these people in action today is impressive, the true richness of each person emerges when their backstory is understood. Lately, I have been thinking about the experiences and individual stories that shape us. Understanding these narratives is significant, especially in the classroom, where recognizing the unique strengths and challenges of each student can transform their educational journey. Listening to the stories of others is beneficial. When you know the backstory of Simone Biles for example, it is so much more rewarding to see her come back to the Olympics with st