President's Message

It's often said that practice makes perfect. And for good reason. Practice is how people acquire and perfect new skills. Trial and error works. Why is it then that so many of us develop a fear of failure as we grow up? Take, for example, learning how to walk or how to ride a bike. Babies taking their first steps often fall down and topple over and, when they do, they usually laugh and try again. Many children find learning how to ride a bike to be frustrating and some others even stop trying before they can pedal on their own. But generally speaking, kids stop trying either because they are afraid of physical injury or because — oh look, the ice cream truck is coming!

Something happens as we mature and grow more aware of the people around us. How many of us have told ourselves that we wouldn't take that risk or reach for that opportunity because things are just fine the way they are? The old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” can easily become an excuse for avoiding fear of failure. Why do we convince ourselves that stability and comfort are the ideal even though we know we could do better? Do we stay in our comfort zones to avoid the embarrassment of other people seeing our mistakes?

Can you identify one thing in your life that you could improve with practice? Are you willing to take the chance?   

I'll be taking my first plane flight since the pandemic started for an AACUL meeting with other League Presidents. I’m sure it will all be just like riding a bike. But I’m kind of hoping for an opportunity to risk failure and learn something new.

 
As always,
Bruce