bcg blog

I Am ...

It’s August of 2001. The first day of school, the first of my teaching career. I’ve spent my entire college life studying education and couldn’t possibly feel less prepared. Standing in front of thirty, blood-thirsty teenagers isn’t something any class, or four years of classes, prepares you for. 

As all uncertain teachers do, I open class with a few ice breakers: Who are you? What do you do outside of school? What does home look like? Nothing too fancy. I don’t want to scare them away on the first day of school.

The majority of the students jump through the hoops as I predicted: Jenna likes to run track and lives with her mom, dad, and two brothers; Chris works at McDonald’s and lives with his grandparents; Stephanie babysits and lives with her mom and little sister.

Then there’s Dustin. His answers are different - more revealing, more personal. Every other student began their response with “I am their name”. Dustin begins with “I am a Christian. My name is Dustin”. 

Interesting.

Why Should We Care?
Our name is our name, but the words we choose to use to describe ourselves following the statement “I am” should be viewed as a self-fulfilling prophecy. It’s a clean look into how we see ourselves. Whether we realize it or not, we live in accordance with this belief. Spoken or unspoken, our “I am” is who we are, every day in our choices and actions. It’s these actions that clue others into what follows “I am” for us.

“I am” is an invitation. It offers direction and clarity. It declares priority. When we know what follows “I am” we have a clear picture of what is most important to us. And, in that vein, what is not. We can’t be everything, but the things we are going to choose to be, we should strive to be fully. How we complete “I am” is a great tool for living a life of intentionality.

Most of us will try to complete the sentence multiple times, in various directions. Of course, we have numerous roles to play in life, various values that are important. That’s ok, but only one can be first. Only one can be the priority - one role, one value. 

So, what is your most important lot in life? What is your non-negotiable value?
You are …

REAL TALK - Action Steps
The start of the year is a great time to consider what your “I am” is. Lock it in and build some inspiration and intentionality into the year ahead. Here are a few ideas to get started:

• The Role
  
  • What is the most important role in your life? 
    
  • Father, mother, husband, wife, brother, sister, son, daughter, teacher, leader, mentor, follower, friend, teacher, citizen, homemaker, volunteer, learner, caretaker, christian, …
    

• The Value
  
  • What is the most important behavior to show up with each moment of your life?
    
  • Curious, tough, thoughtful, caring, passionate, relentless, honest, bold, accountable, humble, persistent, trusting, transparent, adventurous, balanced, compassionate, …
    

It may sound extreme but the word you choose to follow “I am” will choose your life. 

Checkout Surrender the Outcome on Amazon and order The Score That Matters with Ryan Hawk & Brook Cupps. The latest blog from Blue Collar Grit can be found here!