Stop Waiting to Be Chosen and Create Your Own Opportunities: Educator Growth

0:02 SPEAKER_01: Welcome to The Road to an Effective Classroom Environment, the podcast where we explore leadership, growth, culture, and strategies that empower educators, leaders, entrepreneurs, and change makers to thrive. I'm your host, Dr. Lashanta, known as the Classy Sassy Consultant. And before we jump into today's episode, I want to give a quick shout out to Michelle Jones Walker. Michelle builds AI systems that solve real problems. She's the founder of Her, Human Expertise Reinforced by AI. Her replaces five disconnected LinkedIn tools for female founders with one intelligent system that knows your business, helps you to create content, write posts, and shows you exactly who to follow up with.

0:51 SPEAKER_01: If you're a woman entrepreneur looking to increase your visibility, grow your network, and leverage AI in a meaningful way, there's a free diagnostic waiting for you. Head over to aipowerwomen.com. Take the assessment and receive a free personalized blueprint around your business. That's aiPowerewomen.com. Definitely worth checking out. So again, check out Michelle Jones Walker. Now let's dive in today's episode. Have you ever felt overlooked? Have you ever watched opportunities pass by while waiting for someone to recognize your talent, validate your expertise, or invite you into the room?

1:37 SPEAKER_01: The truth is many of us spend years waiting to be chosen, waiting for the promotion, the opportunity, the invitation, or the recognition. But what if the breakthrough you've been waiting for isn't coming from someone else? What if the opportunity begins the moment you decide to create it yourself? Today's episode is entitled Stop Waiting to Be Chosen: How to Create Your Own Opportunities, Step into Visibility, Confidence, and Purpose.

2:07 SPEAKER_01: We're talking about how to stop sitting on the sidelines, step into your gifts, increase your visibility, and create the opportunities that you have been waiting for. So grab your notebook, settle in, and let's get started.

2:26 SPEAKER_01: So the waiting trap. Let's talk about what that looks like and what that entails.

2:36 SPEAKER_01: Most of the times you have where people will spend years waiting for the promotion, the invitation, the recognition, the opportunity, the title, or even the approval. And the challenge is that waiting often becomes a habit. You wait long enough and you think that somewhere along the line it's going to happen. All I have to do is just wait to be chosen. But what if you don't have to wait? What if all you have to do is create your opportunities? Because waiting is fine if that's what you want, but you may wait so long that it doesn't happen.

3:18 SPEAKER_01: So why not create your own opportunities and your own spaces? Many times we convince ourselves we're waiting for when they notice me, when someone recommends me, when the timing is right, when I'm more qualified. But opportunities often go to people who are visible, prepared, and willing to step forward. So I want to share some of my own personal reflections on that waiting and why waiting can be so, so dangerous. The time in which I waited for an opportunity, and I have um talked about this before on some of my other episodes.

4:06 SPEAKER_01: But whenever I was a classroom teacher, I taught high school social studies, and there were my colleagues, they were telling me, you know, they saw some leadership, they saw leadership in me, and they felt that I should go on and get my master's in educational administration. And I really didn't think that that was something I was going to pursue, but I knew I wanted my doctorate because that went back to my my dream as an 11-year-old, was that I wanted to be a doctor, doctor someone. So I looked into educational administration and signed up for uh the classes, and it was a good way for me to earn to earn more money once I got the degree, because of course, you're as a classroom teacher or as an educator, you're paid based on your number of years of experience as well as the the degrees you hold.

5:04 SPEAKER_01: And so as a single parent, I knew that I wanted to be able to provide and do more for my my children, um, for my son and for my daughter. And so I got the degree, but I waited. I waited the waited on the right time, the right opportunity for me to begin applying for administrative positions. And so once that that urging within me was like, okay, it's time. You've you've waited a couple of years now, because it was about two years after I finished my degree that I started actively uh pursuing uh uh a different level of work and being an assistant principal.

5:47 SPEAKER_01: And so once I started interviewing, then I knew, yeah, this is it. I'm ready for this. But I waited. I waited two years. So that's an example of a time in which I I waited instead of uh pursuing as soon as I was finished with my degree. And then a time in which I created an opportunity for myself. You're listening to it right now. This podcast is an opportunity that I developed out of a training that I went through. And I went through this training and I said, Oh my, I have found what I have can call myself because everything that this training involved was me.

6:36 SPEAKER_01: It was me building relationships with with my students and with staff, making the lessons that I taught relevant, and also building the rapport with individuals that I came in contact with. I'm like, this is me, this is me. And so I wanted to be able to share me with the world because this podcast is broadcast and it goes out on several platforms, and I have had people from different countries, many, many different countries that are listening to this. And so I created an opportunity to help others, uh, not just within my little small sector of where I live, but now this podcast is something that can help others.

7:24 SPEAKER_01: And whether you're an educator, a woman, or a leader, or a parent, there is information on this podcast, The Road to an Effective Classroom Environment for anyone. And so that was this is a situation in which I created an opportunity for myself to put my voice out there as a thought leader, and a time in which I I take initiatives. So every day I'm taking the initiative in my in my role as an assistant principal, as well as being a business owner, a thought leader. I take initiatives every day. But specifically, because I have I have been in the hot seat, which is known as the principal seat, since I've been in that seat before, I know the types of stressors and how much is on the shoulders of a principal.

8:23 SPEAKER_01: And so, in my role as an assistant principal and going back to that role, I am able to support whoever the leadership is at that time because I know what it takes. So if there's something that I can do, whether I'm asked to do it or not, I will find, I will find ways to help take some of the load off of the principal, even if it's something that I'm not asked to do. And so just sharing with you some of my own reflections of times in which I've waited, I've created my own opportunity and when I've taken initiative.

8:59 SPEAKER_01: And one of the takeaway quotes that I want you to keep in mind is that no one can advocate for your gifts better than you. So, why do people stay invisible? So there are a lot of reasons, and I've talked about a couple of these reasons on some other episodes as well. One of the most common reasons that people stay invisible is fear of rejection. People worry about hearing no. Well, no one wants to hear that word no. I don't care who you are, you don't want to hear no. Because if you're asking for something or is or some or be to be able or permission to do something, you want to hear a yes.

10:27 SPEAKER_01: And uh just a little funny story. One of the EDs in my district, uh, he he came through at our school. I think this was about, I think this was last year, and he came through and I casually said, Hey, can I get$5,000? And so he looked at me and he said, What is it for? I said, Oh, just a half. So even though I knew it was gonna be a no, I still put myself out there. I said, I'm gonna ask because you never know what you're gonna hear. Now, if I had heard that, sure, I'll give it to you because you've done such an awesome job and what you're doing.

11:05 SPEAKER_01: If I heard that, yes, I would have been, you know, elated. But that's just an example of a me asking, just going out there on the limb, asking for money, and the money would have gone towards many different things. But I I put my I put myself out there, and it was a way for me to try to break the ice with him and getting him to smile, laugh, because on in this job of leadership, in this role, in this role as a leader, you have to find your opportunities, have fun, and to create um experiences that will keep you going on a daily basis.

11:42 SPEAKER_01: So, but fear of rejection, going back, fear of rejection, this is definitely a reason why people stay invisible. But you got to keep in mind that every successful leader has heard that word no. So you can be a success and you've still heard no, whether it's from your supervisor, your boss, or from co-workers, from your parents' children, you're gonna hear a no. But that doesn't mean you're not successful. Fear of judgment is another reason why people stay invisible. People worry about what others are going to think.

12:22 SPEAKER_01: And in this world, you cannot worry about what others think about you when it comes to what you are trying to accomplish in life. If you are trying to accomplish things that will be productive and helpful to the world, then you can't worry about what people think because guess what? People are already thinking something, so you might as well give them something meaningful to talk about. So I go back to the song, it's the oldie but goody. Let's give them something to talk about. Give them something to talk about, okay?

12:59 SPEAKER_01: And then imposture syndrome. This is something else that will keep people in a state of I'm invisible. Imposture syndrome. When I first learned about this term, it was in a boot camp that I was in. I was I'm always trying to find ways to improve and to add to my knowledge base. And especially in building a business, you want to be able to add to your knowledge base. So I was in a 10-week boot camp with the National Entrepreneur Association as I was getting my certification, and I learned about imposter syndrome.

13:38 SPEAKER_01: And so people who are high achievers, many times they feel as if they are a fraud. They feel like they're phonies, and they have a fear of being exposed for not knowing something. You can't know everything about your roles that you're in. There is no one in this walking this earth that can have knowledge of everything. Do you know how much knowledge there is out there on different levels and different aspects? There is so much to take in and so much to know. So you can't know everything. But imposter syndrome says that people who are high achievers, they feel as if they're going to be exposed for being a fraud if they don't know something.

14:31 SPEAKER_01: As a classroom teacher, I would be asked questions of students, and if there was something I did not know, I would tell them, you know, I don't know this, I don't know offhand exactly how to answer that question right now, but give me until tomorrow, and I will come back and give you some information. I was letting my students know that it's okay that I don't know all of the answers. And many times my my students they did, they would ask some of the best questions and they would challenge me and stretch me, especially my students who were those high achievers, who were the ones who always had where their minds were trying to connect pieces and put things together.

15:21 SPEAKER_01: So it's okay to not know everything. And many talented people believe that they're just not ready for visibility. But the reality is that confidence it doesn't come before action. Confidence comes from when you begin to act. So be confident.

15:53 SPEAKER_00: So what opportunities are you missing because you're waiting for permission?

16:00 SPEAKER_00: What opportunities? Think about that.

16:05 SPEAKER_01: So as we transition, how do you create your own table? So you can pull yourself up to someone else's table, or you can build your own. So what are some ways in which you can create your own table? First, you've got to become visible. That's number one. Visibility is not about being vain, visibility is about service. And the ways that you become visible, launch out there and start a podcast. 20 years ago, no one could tell me that this was something I would be doing, that I would put my voice out on the airwaves, on the internet, and that I would be doing this on a regular basis helping people.

16:54 SPEAKER_01: But I am.

17:04 SPEAKER_01: So start a podcast, write an article, submit a proposal for a conference, speak at a conference, launch your business, share your expertise online.

17:20 SPEAKER_01: Another way to create your own table is to build relationships. Many opportunities come through relationships. I have met so many wonderful people just on the LinkedIn platform. There are people who have knowledge in areas that I'm not an expert in. And just learning some of the things that these individuals do in their fields and their businesses, it has added to my growth level. So building relationships, whether you're doing it on platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, uh Stacks, there's so many different platforms out there.

18:06 SPEAKER_01: It just depends on how you want to connect. Some people love just love the one-on-one, introducing themselves to new people, uh, going to events. And anytime you have an opportunity, if your your job or your business allows you to be able to travel and go to different conferences or to different meetings and retreats, take the opportunity to, you know, gain one or two new friends or clients by reaching out to them, reaching out to people and creating authentic conversations. And that's how you build relationships is being authentic, you know, not coming with an agenda of, you know, you want to sell.

18:48 SPEAKER_01: Because of course, you're in business. If you're in business, you want to sell your ideas, sell your product, your service, but everything goes back to being genuine and being authentic and developing the relationship to see where it goes. Because it may not be that individual that needs your service or your product, but it could be someone else. So build the relationships. Ask yourself who needs to know what I do? Who am I serving? And what rooms should I be in? So get into the rooms, bring your table, create your table, and then put it in those rooms.

19:25 SPEAKER_01: Another way that you can create your own table is to create before you're chosen. So, what does that look like? That means if you want to be an author, just write the book. You gotta write the book first to call yourself an author. If you want to be a speaker, you gotta start speaking. Start somewhere. I have called myself an international speaker since my inclusion into LinkedIn where I have been more active. Um I had said that I am an international speaker, and my voice has been heard internationally.

20:06 SPEAKER_01: I am speaking on topics that I know about. So don't wait to become a speaker, just start speaking. And that may be in your classrooms, in your meetings, at a board meeting, at a community activist meeting, wherever, but just start. Start speaking and sharing your knowledge. Instead of becoming a leader, lead where you are. Again, when we wait for those titles, we wait for the recognition, we may miss out on opportunities. You are all leaders in your own right in what you are doing right at this moment in whatever capacity that you are in.

20:50 SPEAKER_01: So just lead, lead where you're where you are. Because you can get recognized in whatever capacity that you're in. You can be recognized, but if you build your own tape, your own table, then you already are at the top of the game. Visibility creates opportunities. Opportunities create momentum, and momentum creates transformation. And then another way that you can create your own table is to own your expertise. You don't have to know everything, and I've talked about that. You don't have to know everything, you only need to know enough to help someone else take the next step.

21:37 SPEAKER_01: That's powerful.

21:39 SPEAKER_00: You only need to know enough to help someone take the next step.

21:47 SPEAKER_01: So as we are looking at moving from comfort to purpose, I want to give you some reflection questions. So you're gonna hear more of those types of things where in my in my episodes, I want to have uh questions, a segment where you're able to reflect because I want I want these episodes that I bring to you on the road to an effective classroom environment to also speak to you and help you to develop and grow. So here are some reflection questions I want you to think about. What gift have you been hiding?

22:25 SPEAKER_01: What opportunity can you create this month? So even though this is we're now in at the end of May, what can what idea what opportunity can you create for the month of June or for whatever month that you are hearing? This is because you may hear this two years from now, and it's still going to be relevant. So, what can I create this month? What fear is keeping you small? And what would happen if you stopped waiting? Those are your reflection questions. So, what gift have I been hiding? What opportunity can I create this month?

23:08 SPEAKER_01: What fear is keeping me small? And what would happen if I stopped waiting? So, this is my challenge to you for the next seven days. I want you to choose one action that increases your visibility. One action, and that can look like anything, but just one thing, whether you are posting online about your area expertise, or you're applying for a speaking engagement, or you are beginning a project, an idea that you've had for a while, and you've just kind of let life get in the way, or you're submitting a proposal to speak at a conference, or even reaching out to a mentor, because in life we all need someone that we can go to to help coach us and to give us guidance.

24:04 SPEAKER_01: So that might be something you want to do is to reach out to a mentor, or you may want to just schedule a discovery call with a life coach, with someone that can help you. And if that is the case, as you all know, I am a life coach, and so you can sign up for a discovery call as well. And the discovery call, of course, is free of charge to see if I'm a right fit, the right fit for you to help help you in your life's journey. So one action, one opportunity, one step forward. That is your challenge for the next seven days, is to work on that.

24:50 SPEAKER_01: So as we're closing out, I want to leave you with these final thoughts. The people you admire did not arrive where they are because someone handed them success. They created opportunities, they took risks, they stepped forward before they felt ready. And you can too. You do not need another invitation, you do not need another title, you do not need another person's approval. What you need is the courage to move because the moment you stop waiting to be chosen is the moment you begin choosing yourself.

25:26 SPEAKER_01: If today's episode encouraged you, share it with a friend, colleague, or a fellow leader who needs this message. Be sure to subscribe and leave a review and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Five stars would be great if you leave a review. Please leave a review on any of the platforms, but especially for my iPhone lovers and users, five stars on Apple Podcasts. But there are also other platforms that you can leave reviews as well: Spotify, YouTube, wherever you're hearing this information.

26:05 SPEAKER_01: For coaching, consulting, speaking engagements, and leadership development opportunities, please visit Lee Jane's Consulting LLC. And until next time, I am Dr. Lashante, reminding you that growth happens when you stop waiting for permission and start walking in purpose.