Yesterday I had a great opportunity to do a leadership day at my alma mater, Leigh High School. As I led the students through various activities and discussions, I couldn’t help but also flashback to my days on campus and what “I had done” while I was in their shoes. During one discussion, a thought popped in my head that I decided to go ahead and share (if you’ve seen me doing a leadership day, you know this happens from time to time). I thought about the seniors in the room, and it reminded me of one of my favorite moments from the televisions series, The West Wing.
Season 6: Episode 12: “365”
It’s a pretty busy episode. The office is suffering the loss of pretty key leaders, they are attempting to manage the media after the state of the Union and other appearances, and they are struggling with international crises. In returns Leo, the former Chief of Staff who recently recovered from a heart attack, and he wants a simple moment to sit down with the staff. While everyone wants to spend time with him, they keep having something else come up. He calls a meeting where most leave. Someone asks if they are done.
Leo responds, “No, not yet” and writes “365” on the board.
His message: they have 365 days left in office. 365 days to make an incredible impact on the world. 365 to truly lead.
But the days are spent maintaining and existing if even that. They have the opportunity to be extraordinary, and they are working through the distractions to merely be average.
And so I thought about my days at Leigh and all I had done, but also all that I hadn’t done…
And then I thought about the seniors sitting in the room. So much of senior year is spent joking about senioritis and how everyone can’t wait to “escape.” I made the jokes too.
But I’m wondering if we looked at a senior year a little bit differently. Most seniors have around 180 days left of school. 180 days left to make a positive impact on their campus. 180 days to leave a legacy. 180 days to be extraordinary. Far too often, we get distracted by the day to day, rather than thinking about the big picture and our opportunity to create.
What if the seniors truly made the freshmen class a priority? What if the seniors created a new positive tradition? What if the seniors worked to bridge gaps in campus unity?
Seniors, you have 180 days, what can you do?
For all other grades (even my middle school friends), you have your time as well–what are you going to do?