Disposition

dis·po·si·tion  [dis-puh-zish-uhn] 

I have been thinking about this word and it's meaning for a few months now and I am finding it has crept into my vocabulary and is popping up more frequently. 

noun

1.

the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's spirits; natural mental and emotional outlook or mood; characteristic attitude: a girl with a pleasant disposition.

2.

state of mind regarding something; inclination: a disposition to gamble.

 

  Synonyms
1.  nature, character, humor. Disposition, temper, temperament  refer to the aspects and habits of mind and emotion that one displays over a length of time. Disposition  is the natural or prevailing aspect of one's mind as shown in behavior and in relationships with others: a happy disposition; a selfish disposition. 

It has come up often for me when I try to describe the type of teachers/educators I need to have in my organisation to get the kind of curriculum I value and envision.  I need educators who have a reflective disposition, who think deeply and are deeply curious about the work the children are doing.

It's hard to interview for disposition, just as it is for common sense and loyalty and a sense of humour.

I know enough about leadership to know I need to model the disposition I want to see in others.  

Also true in my home life, my life outside work.

And it's a choice......

This morning during my Jazzercise Workout at 8am our instructor JT threw out the challenge to us that we smile through the whole class......seriously at 8am on a Saturday? Never one to back down from a challenge I decided to try and smile for an hour while sweating and concentrating and working out with intensity.  


It was hard and I had to make a conscious choice to keep smiling.  When I do the kick boxing routines with good intense jabs I usually get right into exorcising my stress and anger and frustrations so doing it with a smile was a challenge.


But it sure changed my disposition.  In the "fake it till you make it" stakes I smiled until my cheeks hurt but I actually felt happier by the end.  

Those endorphins took note of my disposition.  And responded.


In a very stressful and busy weekend and week ahead, and at a time of year I feel like an empty toothpaste tube someone is still squeezing hard to get the last bits out of I need to check on my disposition often.


And keep smiling!