As a young man, an All-Pro football player was pulled aside by his college football coach and told the secret of life: Everybody you meet in this world is either a fountain or a drain.
“I need fountains,” the coach growled. “You, you are draaaining me!”
“You’re either a giver of the basic wellsprings of life or a thirsty taker,” wrote J.R. Moehringer (WSJ article). “In a world of gutters, be a geyser.”
This isn’t a story about football. It’s about inherent influence inside each of us. It’s about the personal choice to lift up those around us.
More voices, more fountains
I am meeting with congressional representatives and senators this week in Washington, D.C. It’s an annual tradition called SPEAK Out! Day to share passion, experiences, and research regarding the impactful work being done in our schools.
More fountains and fewer drains amplifies the message. That’s you, me, and everyone like us doing the important work of health and physical education.
 Be a super fountain
Let’s face it. There are drains all around us. They are the ones who minimize the importance of physical literacy and physical education. The voice of the drain seems louder when the fountains are silent.That’s why it is important for all of us to be super fountains. Worry not, it’s easier than you think. Here’s a playbook to get started:
- Your message: Great communicators understand the importance of a meaningful and easily shared message. I use is Physical Literacy: the knowledge, skills, and agency to enjoy a lifetime of daily movement.
- Your “why:” Physical Literacy is the inspiration leading to a higher quality of life. Lifelong daily movement leads to increased happiness and health and correlates to higher academic achievement and earnings potential.
- Your audience: I suggest sharing with the people in the building – administrators, teaching and support staff, and obviously learners. Don’t forget the importance of being a super fountain to parents, board members, and community stakeholders.
- Your ask: What are your intended outcomes? Typically this is a change in policy or resources. Pro tip: Policy change often leads to more resources.
- The campaign: People need to be continuously reminded and energized. This is an on-going effort, not an event. Lather, rinse, repeat. Act, evaluate, refine.
Start today
There is a saying that the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is today. I encourage you to kickstart your super fountain journey by downloading a Guide to Physical Literacy in the Interactive store (no-cost).My version of a fountain means engaging with purpose, passion, perseverance, and perspective. The Guide puts it all together in clear, easy to digest terms. Download today for instant access and automatic updates as available.
Feel free to share this document. Contact me if you are interested in creating a custom guide specifically for your school or district.
 |
See you next time in the huddle . . .
Gary Lemke
Interactive (iHealth/iPE) |
|
