Instead of thinking, “I’m afraid of this, so I’m not going to do it,” we should all be thinking, “I’m afraid of this, but I know I shouldn’t be, so I’m going to do this.” It’s not about not being afraid in the first place but rather being brave enough to do the things we’re afraid of anyway.

Now, if only I could take my own advice! LOL

I’m a classmate of Jennifer’s, and I came to your blog via hers. I think it would be terrific if you were to develop and teach such a class. Too often we are left to our own devices to learn new applications and new technologies, while the schools (perhaps rightly so) continue to focus their efforts on traditional topics of librarianship. And most of us do pick it up on our own. But it would be terrific to have a more focused effort to incorporate these ideas into the programs.

And do not get me started on Blackboard and WebCT. Yahoo Groups has better features and better usability, and it’s free.

Sharon

Pete, I’ve read about your experiences with toastmasters and your improv group with great interest. You are definitely one of my risk-taking role models (improv would scare the life out of me!).

And thanks Amanda for sharing your experiences with adjunct teaching. I’ll probably ask to pick your brain on all that sometime soon.

Thank you for this wonderful and inspiring post, and congrats/kudos on the wonderful experiences you have been creating for yourself! A few people have commented that they really needed to read just what you wrote, and I suspect that’s partly because it’s always a good time to be reminded of the value of risk-taking.

A long time ago in a leadership academy far, far away (or maybe it was Utah), we learned, “Lean into your discomfort; that is where your growth lies.” That line has continued to ring in my ears for almost 10 years now, and it has helped guide me through decisions big and small (although I still feel like I don’t risk enough at times.)

And back to the the timeliness of your post: I
recently posted these words (writing about the value of my improv class): “We have to be willing to fail, and fail spectacularly…Being willing to fail spectacularly means being willing to take risks.”

Reading your post just reinforces the lessons that I am continuing to learn. Thanks for sharing your (as usual) honest, insightful and inspiring thoughts! -Pete

As for the adjunct opportunity — good for you for reaching for it! FSU would be crazy to turn you down, you have so much to offer the world of LIS education! Having been an adjunct for the past couple of years, I can honestly say it’s unlike any other teaching I do and it stretches me in amazing ways. I think you’ll love it (but you already know that!) and you’ll be an awesome LIS educator

Best of luck with the class!

In your case, I most certainly hope the answer is not no. I may have my own bit to say at some point about the current state of distance education, but others have covered its shortcomings quite well. You’d be a brilliant reformer.

FSU would be lucky to have you! Good luck! And go get that dog!

Laura
FSU ‘95