We live in a very results-driven society where finishing isn’t enough.
In other words, how one performs often matters more than simply completing a performance. There is something to that. I don’t simply want a meal, I’d like a well-cooked meal. There’s greater satisfaction after eating a well-cooked meal, versus just a cooked meal. However, there is value in finishing the task of cooking.
For example, using the same analogy, making a well-cooked dish isn’t a more important endeavor than organizing and executing a Thanksgiving feast. While Thanksgiving dinner must be delicious, it is an accomplishment for anyone to cook an entire Thanksgiving dinner—five-star or not. In that case, finishing matters.
The same is true for educators and students. Certainly, the school year is dominated by meeting goals and standards. However, finishing the year and progressing to the next is an accomplishment and one worth celebrating. We often trick ourselves and others into thinking that finishing isn’t enough; that you cannot simply finish, but finish strong. Truth is, sometimes, finishing in and of itself is a strong finish. Yet we put a value on finishing.
The reality, right or wrong, is that we live in a capitalist society, and values are put on everything… including finishing a task. Profits are attached to how we finish. Parents incentivize students with money for good grades. School districts incentivize teachers with money for good test scores. What we say is that finishing isn’t good enough.
That’s not the right message.
But neither is finishing in mediocrity. I suspect that would be the pushback to my thesis, however, one cannot finish in a mediocre way because there is a standard that must be met for anyone to finish any particular task. Again, finishing anything is an accomplishment.
We shouldn’t allow society’s relationship with finishing a thing to dictate our relationship with finishing a thing. Those against participation trophies would disagree with me. But this isn’t about a participation trophy for playing a sport. It’s about honoring the efforts of people for completing something they saw to the end; something they may not have thought they could have completed.
In the same way, we shouldn’t devalue an individual for simply showing up. Showing up to a thing puts a person in the position to finish a thing. For all the talk of chronic absenteeism, would should celebrate when our students arrive to school wholeheartedly. The same is true for teachers. Throughout the year, I’ve seen the teacher absentee list… that is to say that we should honor teachers for showing up (without demonizing those who don’t).
Finishing requires three things of an individual. Those three things are commitment, conditioning, and consistency. No one can finish any task or any assignment without the conditioning to keep them able to do it. Additionally, one must be committed to completing the task and the consistency to stick with the work of the task. Celebrating finishing celebrates those three characteristics celebrates a person having what it takes to complete any task anywhere, with the required knowledge and skills.
If performance matters, and it does, we must change the methods of eliciting the performance we want from students and educators versus the currently used methods. Money is a great motivator. However, it is not the only motivator and for some, it is no motivator at all. The environment where one works or attends school can have (and does have in some cases) a greater impact on the decision to perform well, or to stay in a space than money ever could.
With that said, intrinsic motivators can work. Performing well can support the expansion of one’s academic and career opportunities. Performing well can also support the survival and thriving of various communities. Performing well can protect communities and secure justice for the oppressed. These things, in my opinion, matter more than money. Others would also agree.
Each year, at the end of the year, faculty, and staff come together usually for a happy hour or potluck celebrating the end of the year. Yes, they celebrate the various accomplishments throughout the year, but they come together to celebrate finishing the year. Each school year brings its own challenges and circumstances… thus finishing the year is worth celebrating.
We must do a better job celebrating when our students finish as well as when educators finish. Performance does matter and we should continue rewarding great performances amongst those who finish. Nevertheless, we must also honor those who finish a thing. According to a popular saying, it doesn’t matter how you start but how you finish. Well, not everyone finishes what they start. So let’s celebrate those who do finish what they start.
