My Work Earned a (Pretend) Pulitzer Prize
Moments of formal recognition can be few and far between. Let’s change that.
A few weeks ago I was rehearsing a talk in the room where I’d be speaking. When I was done, I packed my stuff up and wandered toward the building. As I reached toward the door handle to open it, a colleague I hadn’t seen in a while opened it from the other side and stepped in. I was pleasantly surprised to see her, but not as surprised at what she told me next.
She said she was coaching her staff to present data at an upcoming meeting, and that she used a video I made as inspiration.
If you’ve ever made something and forgotten about it, then later had someone unexpectedly tell you how much they liked it, you’ll know what I mean when I say I felt humbled and proud at the same time. Humbled, because I was reminded that my work cannot reach others without the interest, generosity, and support of my audience.
And proud? That requires more explanation.
The Personal Pulitzer Prize
See, when you’re an educator, you’re creating for an audience. Whether you create lessons for students, professional growth for staff, or manicured campuses for communities, you are a content creator.
Documentary footage of me receiving my Personal Pulitzer Prize.
And though you do the work day in and day out, moments of formal recognition can be few and far between. And so over time, you develop your own internal metric for success: the look on a student’s face when they grasp a new idea, the image of staff in small groups excitedly passing ideas back and forth, or watching students stroll through a spacious, well-maintained campus.
I call these moments The Personal Pulitzer Prize. And I got one that day when my colleague told me my work helped her lead her staff. It felt great, like a hug just when you need it. Or like the waiter surprising you with ice cream after a meal. Or walking into the staff lounge and seeing fresh flowers.
Like the actual Pulitzer Prize, nobody can control when they get their Personal Pulitzer Prize. The good news is, you can pick a Personal Pulitzer Prize that makes you feel good. And you can make stuff that you feel is deserving of one.
And when you do get one? Do like the pros do and receive it with grace and gratitude.
Reflection
I love prompts for my private journal. They teach me to write with abandon and to view my own work with patience and kindness, no matter the quality. And best of all, they spark the kind of free association that expands my perspective. Try these journal prompts to help you discover your Personal Pulitzer Prize:
Think of a time at work when something made you feel fulfilled. There’s no right or wrong answer. Go with your intuition. This is your Personal Pulitzer Prize.
When was the last time you experienced this feeling of fulfillment?
What would you tell yourself if you made something and received your Personal Pulitzer Prize?
What would you tell yourself if you made something and didn’t receive your Personal Pulitzer Prize?
