#GoogleEI #DEN18 Application

Here we go again...

Earlier this year, I shared about taking a risk by applying to the Google for Education Certified Innovator program, and my reflections when I was not accepted. At that point, I said that I was pretty sure I would be applying again in the future...and here I am, doing just that!

Stepping Back

Before reapplying, I really needed to take a step back and just take time away from my application. I spent so much time on it at first, and was so invested, it was hard to think about what I needed to do differently. Giving myself some space helped me think through some fresh ideas without being boxed into what I had already done.

Talking it out!

If you know me IRL, you will know that I am an external processor. I learn the most when I can talk through ideas and bounce them off of others. This summer, I started chatting with friends about a new idea for my #GoogleEI project. I received a lot of great feedback, insight, and advice which helped me reignite and refine my ideas. If you are thinking about applying...this is something I would highly recommend! Talk about your idea with friends, both near and far, and really listen to their reactions & feedback. We are #bettertogether!

Completing the Application

In some ways, this was the hardest step. I made a new video, but I struggled with the short answer questions - should I keep what I had written last time, or completely change it up? It felt almost lazy to reuse answers, but if I really liked them, should I change just for the sake of it? In the end, I ended up writing new answers for several. I then asked a few trusted friends to look at both answers & help me choose which one was stronger. In every instance, they preferred my original answers, so I went with those (slightly tweaked). I did feel good, though, about exploring other options and not just copy/pasting what I had before!

Friends & Editors

As I mentioned above, I had an amazing group of friends who looked through my application and gave me feedback every step of the way. Some of these friends I know pretty well, but others are those who I met at a conference & wanted to reach out to. This is another thing I would highly recommend - sometimes, when you are so engrossed in a project, it is hard to take a step back and look at it from an outsider's point of view! They helped me see what I was communicating unintentionally and where some gaps where in my application. Be bold with asking for help!

#JustPushSubmit

And then...the moment of truth. Time to press submit. It can be terrifying, but the worst that can happen is that you don't get accepted...and, I can attest from my previous experience, life goes on ;-)! Truly, what have you got to lose?

The Waiting Game

Here I am again - back in this waiting period. I'm actually less nervous than last time - I really, REALLY am hoping to get accepted, but if I don't, I know I'll be okay. I have lots of friends applying in this round, too, and I hope for the best for all of us! Waiting isn't always fun, but I am sitting here with a sense of accomplishment for not only completing the application, but having the courage to not make it in and try again - #failingforward. What's next? Well, hopefully we'll know in early October!