Eureka! I figured it out! I solved it and so from here on out things should be easier! Right?

Wrong.

We often run into images of the overnight success, the tough problems solved with the perfect words or actions. In fact, movies and TV practically ingrain into us the notion that any problem can be solved in an hour or so.

In this time of New Year’s Resolutions and long-term goals, we should look at how change really happens.

Real and lasting change takes time. Lots of time. Years.

At Austin High School in Minnesota, they figured that since they were so excited about Link Crew, their leaders would be too. And they were….at first. Kirsten Lindbloom said, “The leaders were so excited after orientation that we scheduled too much in the first year. They burnt out.  Last year was too little because we didn’t want to stress them out. I think we finally have the right balance now in our third year”. Three years. Three years is what it took for them to find that balance. That’s definitely not overnight.

The challenge of maintaining energy and enthusiasm is even harder if you are doing it by yourself. So many programs start strong and then one or two people move on, leaving just one person to try to carry the load.

Leaning on each other has become part of the magic at Abbey Park High School in Oakville, Ontario. For Anna Creighton, Kristi Morrison and the other coordinators at Abbey Park, the relationship among the coordinators has been critical. Anna commented, “Part of our success is certainly because we have a team of 6 of us and we all really like each other”.

According to Kristi, “The original reason to start Link Crew in the Halton board was a concern over Grade 9 performance. The program at Abbey Park was started by a couple dynamic, motivated teachers, but really has been able to go to a new level as we added team members. It’s amazing to look back on 5 years and see what a difference the program has made. We made a difference not just in Grade 9 performance, but the spirit of the school overall!”

Five years. Change happens when we have a passion and then nurture it day after day. We all know we will back step sometimes, but when you have a passion for making a difference, you are able to return to that focus.

Anna laughed when I asked if they ever get together outside of school to talk about Link Crew, “It might sound weird to some people, but we have been known to be out together having an adult beverage and suddenly Link Crew will come up. Our conversation gets more intense and then we have to laugh because we are having fun talking about Link Crew even outside of school.”

Maintaining passion over the long haul is not about big huge sweeping resolutions or lofty goals, although they can help.

The long haul is more about having a deep desire to create change and then creating a structure around you that will support that change.

Day after day. Year after year.

That’s being in it for the long haul. Thanks for being in it with us!