Hey friend:,
We've known each other awhile now, so I think it's time I shared something with you.
I learn by speaking.
Think about that for a minute. Seems a bit backwards from what you might expect. If were being honest, most people and our entire profession are built on the belief that you learn by listening.
In this and other ways, I am discovering that I am unlike most people.
I am not sure if I can fully explain it, but it's as if ideas are locked inside me, and the only way to release or free them is to speak the words into the light of day. Only then can I decipher if the idea is actually a good or bad one. I don't need anyone else to hear it, I just need to say it. It took me a long time to understand this about myself, but everything made much more sense as soon as I did.
I am sure that somewhere in a book about speaking, there are rules reminding me that as a "subject matter expert," I should parse my words and not share anything unless I have a reasonable level of certainty or assuredness that what I am saying is, in fact, true.
As someone who speaks for a living, the idea of speaking first and thinking second is, at best, counterintuitive; at worst, dangerous.
But that is how MY mind (and mouth) works.
I vet information in real-time. When thinking through ideas, I hear words coming out of my mouth, and process them as if I were hearing them from someone else for the first time. In fact, if you see me walking through an airport, you will likely see me having a full-on, out-loud conversation with myself, gesticulations included - all of which leaves others disturbed, and my family embarrassed.
This is not to say that I walk on stage or in front of a group and just "wing it." I definitely don't.
But, most of the long-form content in my presentations, books, and this blog started as a question or thought that (accidentally) eeked its way out on stage as a "What if?" Or, "Why not?"
It turns out that I am not alone in thinking this way, as acclaimed New York Times best-selling author Daniel Pink (Drive, A Whole New Mind, The Power of Regret, etc.) has a new project called Why Not?
In collaboration with The Washington Post, Pink is authoring a year-long series designed to give America's imagination an adrenaline shot where he challenges us all to "Spend less time opining about who's right and who's wrong and more time imagining what's possible?"
So, for the next year, each week, he will offer a single idea — bold, surprising, maybe a bit jarring — for improving our country, our organizations, or our lives.
As an example, he lists some of his introductory questions, such as why not:
Pay public school teachers a minimum salary of $100,000?
Relocate the U.S. House and Senate to a different city every few years?
Create a new job category for people over 65 to mentor young employees?
Give presents on our birthdays rather than receive them?
As a fellow mental meanderer, I like the concept of why not. So, I joined Mr. Pink in this thought exercise, albeit with a music education bent.
Why not:
Require every student to have a music class every day?
Have all students teach private lessons?
Sight-read at every concert?
Have students learn multiple instruments before settling on one?
Have an SES multiplier/bonus at contest?
Have a contest on September 1st, and again on November 1st, and the group with the greatest point differential is the State Champion.
Pick ensembles randomly for MEA conventions?
Eliminate a Bachelor of Music Education in favor of a Masters Degree.
Make beginner instrumental rental a three-year minimum?
Ensure that the marching band gets a PE credit?
Have teachers regularly rotate between ELEM/MS/HS?
Require that every pop star advocate for music education?
Have a "music tax" that generates funds for advocacy?
I could go on.
Like my friend Mr. Pink (we're not really friends), I have always enjoyed reimagining things in different ways and discussing it with colleagues. It is afterall, the purpose of this blog, and why I started writing it twenty years ago.
So...
For the remainder of this school year, taking a page from Daniel's playbook, (and perhaps a few of the bullet points above), I will ask/explore/and expound upon a new question weekly via this ezine. We can discuss via our Facebook group. It should be interesting.
Remember, the goal is not for you to agree or disagree with the premise, but to free your mind from "what is," to "why not?
You likely have much bigger and better questions than me. So, how about you use the button below to shoot your questions my way so I too can join in the fun. The only person I have to talk to is Riley, my Golden Retriever. And all she cares about are tennis balls.
So use the buttons below to shoot me an idea, or continue the conversation next week.
Did you use one of the two buttons above?
Why Not?
Have a great week!
Scott
p.s. Thanks to all my MEA friends in California and Colorado for their hospitality this past week. Ohio - wheels-down is 4:30 pm today. Texas, I am headed your way next week. If you see me at these or any other events, please make it a point to stop me and say hi!