Kia ora te whanau o te kotuku

1. GIVE UP
2. GIVE IN
3. GIVE IT ALL YOU’VE GOT

Ever since I was a teenager I have loved and lived by inspirational quotes and motivational messages like the one above.

I’ve come to realise recently that there’s more than one way of looking at these messages. I realised that the message that one person perceives from a quote, may be completely different to the message someone else receives.

The message – 

You’ve got 3 choices in life:
GIVE UP,
GIVE IN,
OR GIVE IT ALL YOU’VE GOT

has been a favourite of mine.

But recently I’ve been able to grasp a deeper meaning.  This message always seemed black & white.

Previously, the first two choices
– GIVE UP
– GIVE IN
to me, basically meant :
FAILURE.

I had a fixed mindset towards the message, based on the belief that giving up or giving in were equivalent to failing.

The only legitimate choice in my view was:
GIVE IT ALL YOU’VE GOT!

But actually,
ALL 3 options
are legitimate choices.

And that was a liberating discover!

Broadening our view of any of the messages we receive in life shifts us from a FIXED MINDSET to a GROWTH MINDSET.

Sometimes giving up doesn’t mean giving up on our goal or dream altogether, It could mean giving up on our current approach.

Sometimes giving in doesn’t mean succumbing to the pressure, stress, or events/circumstances outside of our control.

It could mean, pivoting, or finding a different way around them. If the GIVE IT ALL YOU’VE GOT approach, is not getting you where you want to go, or is causing undue angst and stress, perhaps it’s time to consider the legitimacy of ALL 3 OPTIONS.

Maybe
GIVING UP
or
GIVING IN
could help you serve
in a better and more productive way.

Perhaps stepping back or stepping sideways could take you where you want to go faster, and help you enjoy the journey more fully, or enable you to utilise your strengths.

Inspirational quotes and motivational messages are super helpful tools.

But,
it’s always worth considering
if you’re view of the message
is reinforcing an unhelpful belief.

GIVE UP,
GIVE IN,
OR GIVE IT ALL YOU’VE GOT.

Each one is a legitimate choice.

Here’s another quote to leave you with –

I am not afraid of storms
for I am learning to sail my ship.
Louisa May Alcott

To truly be at the helm of your ship means realising you have the ability to steer it in a new, or a slightly different direction, to the destination you seek.

Here’s to adopting a wider, more helpful, kinder, view of the choices available to you.

Thank you to Nadine Hickman for sharing this with me. These words certainly resonate with me and how I can often see giving up or giving in.

Trustee Elections

Full Results are here.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Board members:
Parent Representatives: Richard White, Nathan Lee and Hamish Williams.  Welcome back to Hayley McNickle and Erihapeti (Liz) Ngata-Aerengamate
Staff Representative: Phillip Place
Student Representative: Nina Lyon

The board will have their first meeting together on 27 September 2022.

Queen’s Memorial Day

As announced by the Prime Minister school will be closed 26 September for Queen’s Memorial Day.

Exams

Year 11 -13 students will start Derived Grade Exams next week starting 22 September. Timetable and Information is available here.

Keep up to date with all the Rutherford News here.

Kia Kaha

Gary Moore