Introducing my new mentor and mindset coach… Rip Van Winkle! – SCN Encourager

He models the joy that comes with embracing “wonder and curiosity” at regular intervals.

I don’t.

When someone asks, “what’s new?”

I think, “anything but me.”

It’s not good.

I need more Rip and less R.I.P.

No doubt about it.

But changing my ways won’t be easy.

I already have my favorite pat answer to most of the questions I receive… well, down pat.

What do you think of the new Peach app?
“Dunno. Wazzat?”

Have you been to the new micro-brew downtown?
“Dunno. Wherezat?”

Did you see the extra fee the wedding photographer tacked on her bill?
“Dunno. Whyzat?”

Coach Van Winkle says the only way I can come up with more intelligent answers than these is to intentionally lean into today’s creative landscape with unabashed wonder and curiosity.

I think he’s fully bought into the notion – now also trumpeted by many business and leadership gurus – that every effective quality initiative is rooted in a sense of curiosity, as sparked by the question “How can we do this better?”

He even has a tattoo which reads “No one should sleep forever.”

No wonder Coach VW is excited about the February 3 Lunchinar with Superintendent Kelly Middleton.

Like most of us, he’s curious to hear what Kelly has to say about stepping up customer service in our schools.

I am, too.

But right now, I’m wondering about something else.

I’d like to know how Rip was able to sleep that long without ever having to get up once or twice during the night and traipse off to the bathroom.

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