Reflecting on hard work

The year ended with some difficult feelings -

"not knowing," confusion, frustration.
There were intense discussions about tough subjects.

It strikes me  -
these feelings we have,
as we face the daunting task of growing a school,
these feelings are what every student experiences when learning something new,
when challenged,
when the work is hard.

I expect joyful, excited, compelled.
I forgot "not knowing," confusion, frustration.

You have to
keep on,
stay at the table,
see it through,
reflect,
be resourceful,
stay open-minded,
consider different ideas,
keep questioning,
try again.

You are learning as you go.

And it isn't straightforward. It isn't always clear.

What do you try next?
Is there only one way or many ways?
How do you ensure you are moving in the direction you desire?

In the midst of the hard work, you wonder,

Do I have the "grit" and "perseverance" for this? 

Yes, this is exactly what students feel as they experience hard work.

Learning and creating don't come easy.
It is good to be reminded of that.

Is grit something you only know you have when you are looking backward, 
in hindsight, 
seeing what you accomplished? 

Maybe you don't know you have it when you are doing it?

Hard work.