Good Morning, my Friends,
We are here at the Season Finale of Choose to be Great, and it brings me immense joy to have walked alongside so many of you throughout this past school year. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of partnership and the gift of friendship that I share with so many of you.
Instead of simply saying, “Thanks!” and disappearing from your inboxes for the summer, I want to take this opportunity to offer one final message of encouragement as you embark on your summer break.
Two years ago, one of my teachers walked into my office and introduced me to something incredible: Ted Lasso. Although I hadn’t found the time to watch it, his simple advice was, “Watch it. And, to sweeten the deal, if you don’t like it, I’ll take you to Mr. C’s and buy you some wings. But if you do like it, you have to buy them for me.”
“So, either way, we’re getting wings together… deal. Sounds good.” With that agreement in place, he left my office with a smile. Over the next two years, it became evident that he was absolutely right— the show was extraordinary. I’ve watched it alone, rewatched episodes with my sister on lazy Sunday mornings, and recommended it to as many people as possible. This amazing show reminds us of the goodness that resides within each and every one of us.
On Wednesday, what we presume to be the series finale aired. I woke up at 4:00 am, grabbed my laptop, and eagerly started the last episode. Over the next hour, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions—tears and smiles taking turns. Within that episode, there was one particular exchange that resonated deeply with me, perhaps more than any other in the entire series.
As the coaches sat in their office, preparing for the final match, Roy, an Assistant Coach and former team captain, posed a thought-provoking question, “Can people change?”
Trent, a former journalist and the team biographer, responded, “I don’t think we change per se, as much as we just… learn to accept who we’ve always been, you know?”
Nate, one of the coaches and a complex character throughout the series, promptly interjected, “Oh, no. I… I think people can change. They can. You know, sometimes for the worse and sometimes for the better.”
After a brief discussion, Ted, the Head Coach and the show’s protagonist, shared his profound insight, “Change isn’t about trying to be perfect. Perfection sucks. Perfect is boring. I mean, except Shawshank. That’s not boring.”
Their conversation continued, with each coach citing things they considered perfect, whether it be movies, attributes, or even food. Ted then refocused the discussion, stating, “But I was talking about perfection in people.” The coaches acknowledged his point, and that’s when Higgins, the team’s Director of Football Operations, unexpectedly chimed in, “Human beings are never going to be perfect, Roy. The best we can do is to keep asking for help and accepting it when you can. And if you keep on doing that, you’ll always be moving towards better.”
In that moment, they all paused, reflecting on the brilliance of Higgins’ words. Ted finally broke the silence, saying, “Add that right there to our list of perfect stuff.”
As you transition into summer, taking stock of the victories and challenges of the past school year, I encourage each of you to continue striving for improvement. For those who had a great year, resist complacency and avoid settling for “good enough.” And for those who faced the hardest year of your career, I challenge you to believe that things can and will get better – and to recognize that your influence plays a profound role in “better’ coming to fruition. In both cases, remember that there are people around you who can offer support, as well as those who may need your assistance on their own journeys.
Embrace the off-season and enjoy your well-deserved break. I’ll be back here on August 14th. In the meantime…
Choose to be Great!
Angelo
CHOOSE TO BE GREAT 