In August 2018, I attended my first Ambition Institute (formerly Ambition School Leadership) residential. At the end of an inspiring and humbling week, we were asked to write a letter to our future selves thinking about the type of leaders we wanted to become and where we wanted to be two years later.

Today I received my letter…

As I am horrifyingly embarrassed by my handwriting I have made the decision to type it up instead.

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Dear me,

Remember what it took to get you here. Remember that all of those idiotic and daft mistakes were what inspired you to make that change – that change that didn’t seem possible, that didn’t seem important, but that got you here. Exactly where you are meant to be.

I hope that this journey has not been easy because it is in those moments that you will shine and strive for better. It is in those moments that you will have to be 10% braver.

You don’t do this for you. You do it for that kid, for that parent, for those who need you the most. Help them be better than those before them.

You are resilient beyond belief. Remember that. I know it’s hard to believe but you are. You know your stuff and you are wonderfully driven by your morals. But be cautious of overload and self-doubt; they’re contagious.

The biggest barrier you will overcome will be the buy-in from others and the faith in your own ability to succeed. The more you push through and be positive, the more rewarding the outcome will be. You will experience change – change you hate, change you buck against, but ultimately a necessary change that will bring about endless opportunities for your kids and their future families, and that’s worth it all.

You will be an outstanding leader because you have the drive and courage to make a difference (no matter how big or small it may be). Don’t dwell on the past too much – learn from it, change the present and look to the future.

H, 28.08.2018

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I know it may be cheesy but it’s given me that much needed boost and reminded me of how far I have come and what I have achieved for my students, my kids – the reason why we do what we do.