'Good' Isn't Good

 ‘Good’ isn’t good.  

I just returned from a trip to Wales in the UK to visit family. 

I tend to fly back once or twice a year and every time, I have moments of clarity about my childhood or teenage years that I can appreciate with a broader perspective now that I'm old(er).


I drove past my old high school, where I mostly had a pretty miserable time as someone who didn’t fit in with the majority crowd. Somewhere I excelled however, was in music and drama classes….(and Catering - Yes; my school offered a GCSE course in Catering - Random)


I had a flashback to a moment in a drama class where I was asked to do a scene with an unfamiliar regional Welsh accent. I had never tried doing it before and the lack of preparation time or control made me terrified. I felt so intimidated to just be put on the spot. Mainly because the time I spent in music and drama class was when I felt safe and confident because I was considered the talented kid. The top-of-class student who took everything very seriously. 


I was very bad at the accent. I did a terrible, half committed attempt at it because I cared so much about not looking foolish in front of my classmates. Which ironically made me look more foolish. It was a brief couple of minutes and it shouldn’t have been an issue but I felt the other students in class rejoice as they watched the ‘gold star kid’ struggle with something. (They should have just watched me play rugby!) 

My realization during this visit was just how afraid I was of not being okay back then. All the time.

Thinking back to those years, I wish I had been encouraged to not need to be good. 


I wish someone had told me that to give it a wholehearted shot was more valuable than being perfect. 

I was ALWAYS praised and commended for the things I did well and so I just continued to do more of those things to protect my ego and self esteem. I wish I had been supported in learning new skills and trying different things more. 


The point of this story is to offer this piece of advice:

“There’s more growth in play than good”


Don’t focus on being good at something. Good/Bad/Indifferent is always determined by those watching and is subjective and beyond your control regardless. 

Commit to play. 

Commit to silliness. 

Commit to curiosity. 

Commit to uncomfortable. 

Commit to YOU!


You deserve the most fruitful experience in your work and in life and being brave in those out of control moments is important and will benefit you more in the long run than always seeking to be ‘good’.

As your teacher and mentor I will do everything I can to make you feel safe in your vulnerability.


Keep up the great work


Mark 


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