Get into the Game

 “Everything is created twice –
first mentally, then physically.”
                    - Greg Anderson

(I don't know who Greg Anderson is:  the Google search gave me a whole list of guys with the same name, but I think this quote is from the author who wrote about beating and living with cancer.)  It resonated with me about our Gold Award girls.

These are high schoolers, and they can be the most creative and enthusiastic of girls, but they can also be the most easily sidetracked and derailed!  In order to go for the Gold, we are asking them to make the commitment, and then we're asking them to really get their head into it to do the work.

It's tough work, identifying a need in the community and then discovering a root cause. NOT starting with the project first!  And we need to support the girl's efforts to do the brain work ahead of time.  We need them to be able to visualize the work that needs to be done, and to work it through first in their minds, then on paper, so that they can see how it might all play out.

And once they've done the initial thinking process, they need to re-create it in the form of an application to council.  So in a sense, they're completing two processes. The physical work doesn't come until after the interview and approval by the committee.  (That's where the fun begins! Action and seeing positive change looks and feels great!)

I wonder how many girls get stymied by the start up work?  How many just aren't willing to make the effort?  or don't have good tools to use?  

How many need additional encouragement and support?  Probably many!  And where are they going to get that?  From parents, troop advisors, friends and project advisors, for sure!  We adults need to let the girl do the mental work, while being sure that we support their efforts and offer connections that she might want to use.