(Warning: This article contains spoilers for the final episode of Ted Lasso, and videos of the show some of which have foul language)
CONGRATULATIONS to this year’s graduates! I’m so excited about all that awaits you. But, before you rush headlong into the next part of your journey, I hope you’ll take the time to pause and celebrate all you’ve accomplished and reflect on what it’s meant to you. Doing so provides the opportunity to figure out how you want to apply the knowledge and experience you’ve gained and use that to navigate your journey moving forward.
When I thought about the best way to illustrate this process, there was no better example than the master himself, Ted Lasso. The themes of optimism and personal growth, their emphasis on the importance of mental health and the overall philosophy of kindness, celebrating the big and small events in life and looking for the best in others is something I greatly believe in. Plus, I am a HUGE fan of the Ted Lasso show!
So, without further ado, how to pause, celebrate, reflect and integrate “The Richmond Way”.
Pause…….
I admit, I used to be guilty of accomplishing something and then immediately looking for what’s next and nothing can begin without pausing first. Without stopping in between the accomplishments, there is no opportunity for reflection, let alone executing a proper celebration! You also miss another important part, expressing appreciation for those who supported you along the way. There’s an African proverb that says: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. It is now one of my favorite quotes. Students, thanking your teachers, coaches, friends, family and parents is a great way to pause and a fantastic way to begin to celebrate, something the Ted Lasso crew is fantastic at doing!
Celebrate!!
We usually celebrate big events, like graduations or winning a championship but sometimes, it’s the accomplishments that may appear small on the outside that can be the most meaningful. Notice how the team celebrated the execution of their musical goodbye as exuberantly as they celebrate a football victory.
Reflect
In order for us to learn and grow from our accomplishments and experiences, it’s important to give ourselves time to reflect. It helps us think about what’s working well, what we might want to change and why it’s important. This video that the coaches put together was meant as a look back but it also reminds the team how they got where they are and they use that to create a huge season-ending win!! That transitions to the next part of the reflection process, integrating what you’ve learned.
Integrate - Apply what you learned
Being able to ask questions, of yourself and others, and being open to receiving feedback, helps us make choices about how we want to utilize what we’ve learned and the choices we want to make moving forward. Both Roy and Jamie are examples of characters who achieved tremendous personal growth throughout the show because they were able to fully accept feedback and choose how to integrate it in their lives. This is beautifully illustrated when Roy, after much reflection, asks to be a member of the “Diamond Dogs” and shares his year of reflection in order to solicit guidance. (at 1:19 in the video)
The coolest part about this process is that it can be applied throughout our life, for any event, accomplishment or transition, big or small. To quote the philosopher Seneca (and the band Semisonic) “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end”. What you learn, how you apply it and the choices you make moving forward are all up to you!!