Nothing is harder than making a decision that you know not everyone will like. Being the new director of the theatre program at a new school, I’m striving to build meaningful relationships with students in a difficult transition period. Over the past two weeks, I had to make a decision on which show opportunities would be offered in the spring: a student-directed Shakespeare, 24 Hour Play Festival, Class Plays, a Festival One-Act, and/or a MainStage production.
Different students were rallying for each opportunity, and I was seriously torn between each show's educational merit. During the day, I was consumed with worry about what to do, and at night, I would have these dreams where students mutinied against me because I made the “wrong” decision. I created a Google form to collect votes and data, let my student leadership board make a recommendation, the parent group made a recommendation, discussed options with the administration, and it all made my head spin!
Then I found some peace.
I came across this piece of advice that changed everything for me:
It’s important to make good decisions. But I spend much less time and energy worrying about “making the right decision” and much more time and energy ensuring that any decision I make turns out right.
While it’s understandable that I was anxious about making the “right” decision, by focusing on the choice, I forgot that I have the power to make it right no matter what I choose. Focusing on the choice made me lose sight of my ownership and sense of agency. But by changing my focus to the effort that will be required after the decision, helped me see that control resides in my day-to-day activities rather than one-time decisions.
No matter what option I choose, my efforts to support its success will be more important than everything that led to our choice.
As a theatre teacher, I think this is especially true. It’s in the decision to do “Anything Goes” or “West Side Story” or “Grease,” or whether to cast Olivia or Emilee as Maggie, or which job to accept, and which to decline. We frequently make impactful decisions!
In an interesting parallel, I am exploring Anne Bogart’s concept of hard and soft focus in acting this week. I learned it at last year’s EdTA conference and repeat the exercise where everyone stands in a circle and changes from hard to soft focus at the clap. The idea that the decision is right if you make it was that clap for me. I hope it can be for you, too!
Are there other pieces of impactful advice that you have ever received? Please share it below!