I don’t know if it has anything to do with the students I worked with and wrote about in my last blog, or the college students I – along with several other members of my Toastmasters club – recently helped prepare for a career-oriented Elevator Pitch competition. But I’m getting ready to go back to school – sort of. And I’m really excited about it. Also, just a little bit nervous.

Like many people, I consider myself a lifelong learner, and have always enjoyed the seminars, workshops, and classes I’ve taken over the years, whether they were for credit, professional development, or just for fun. And whether they were through a college, Toastmasters, the Writers Museum, community ed, or any other organization.

The one I’m getting set to start is unlike any program or class I’ve ever taken before. It’s a Leadership Program sponsored by, and focused on,  the city and county I live in. There will be once-a-month, all-day sessions in which we’ll be meeting with members of local government and businesses, non-profits, and other organizations. There will also be a weekend retreat and a community-oriented class project. I believe that will be something like an Eagle Scout Project, except done in a group. And by adults.

Some of the things I’m excited about are the chance to meet and get to know new people who live and work in my community, and the opportunity to learn about and explore places and activities that are right in my own back yard, but that I never even knew about. I’m also looking forward to working with a group of other people who have some of the same goals and interests I do, but who come from a variety of diverse backgrounds and professions.

The part I’m most nervous about comes from wondering if I’m up to the challenge. The program comes with a number of responsibilities and commitments, and I’m willing to bet some of them will be well beyond my comfort zone and skill set. I’m not worried about failing the class. It’s more a concern that I might let other people down. And I don’t want to do that.

But pushing ourselves into new territory and experiences is how we learn. It’s how we grow. And I’m not going to back away from that.

So it’s back to school for me. I’m confident that I’ll find it to be a rewarding experience. Some of the people I know who have already gone through this program have told me it’s one of the best decisions they’ve ever made. I’m sure I’ll feel the same way, and I can’t wait to find out.

I’ll let you know how it’s going – as soon as I get my first report card.

October 15, 2021
©Betty Liedtke, 2021

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