Find a calling; change the world
Hi Aim family,
I imagine most of you have heard the news by now.
Aim is raising the bar.
Again.
This old blog post (There is a chasm opening under our feet...and the distance between Aim Academy and the rest of the world increases by the day) would be a good one to brush up on before we continue :)
If you don't know this about me yet, it is time you knew. I actually expect these eagles to change the world. Find a calling; change the world. That has never just been a clever tagline, marketing ploy, or anything of that nature to me. It has been the genuine truth.
When we started Book 2, we discussed the various roles each within our community would play--eagles, guides, parents, and myself. (Read the first and last bit of this blog post if you need a reminder on what Book 2 is all about.) We also discussed what promises we would make to each other.
In exchange for eagles signing their names to Aim's official contract (which was four years of fierce debate and experience in the making btw...) promising to always be on a hero's journey, treat the hero's journey like a sacred experience, treat the studio like a sacred space, and Do Not Draw Back, I promised that I would do everything within my power to guide them on their quest to change the world.
But that has and always will be the destination.
Change the world.
Want to read the never-before-seen personal mission statement I wrote for Aim long before it ever opened its doors? Printed below for the first time ever.
At Aim, children won't be looked at as widgets in a factory, but as young heroes on a hero's journey. I believe that each of us has a special calling in life that will require skill, character, and knowledge. Intentional pursuit of this calling inevitably forces us to face a series of trials and tests. When faced with courage, integrity, and purpose we are transformed, becoming the heroes in our own lives and the lives of others. This leads to a satisfying and fulfilled life. Aim's mission is to prepare each child for his or her special journey, by helping them discover and develop their God-given gifts, their passions, and learning to use those gifts and passions to serve others in a meaningful way.
Over the years I have wondered if I was doing enough to fulfill my end of the bargain. I suppose time will tell. And without making excuses for any of my shortcomings, I can at least say if I fail it will not be because of lack of effort.
But something has been gnawing at me for years. Ever since a parent meeting in Year 3. Where we discussed what kind of tribe we want to create. What we long and hope for our children. Similar themes have arisen in a handful of parent meetings since. And it has become clear to me that there is a misalignment or two. And the time has come to do something about it. I guess all I can say is when you know, you know. Ya know?
In a nutshell, the reason for the change is very simple.
If these young heroes are going to change the world, they cannot be like the rest of the world.
So yesterday we implemented a few minimum standards for the Upper Studios at Aim. The standards are related to free screen time, exercise, and sleep habits and include the following: 1 hr max of screentime (other than school work) M-Th, wake up no later than 7 am M-F, go to bed no later than 10:30 pm S-Th, and exercise 20 minutes at least 3x a week.
These minimum standards are going to be tied to the first promise on the whole school contract - Always be on a hero's journey. A hero's journey requires discipline, intentionality, and the ability to push through discomfort in pursuit of something greater. Just like a great warrior must train their body and mind, a hero must cultivate habits that sharpen their focus, fuel their energy, and build resilience. Excessive screen time, lack of movement, and poor sleep patterns are not just small obstacles—they actively dull the mind, drain motivation, and make it harder to rise to challenges. By setting these minimum standards, we are reinforcing what it truly means to be on a hero's journey—one where each learner is capable of facing the unknown, growing through struggle, and stepping into their full potential.
...that's a longer way of saying: this is going to enable them to bring their A-game to school every day.
What's more, we are introducing a new hero badge called "Self-Mastery". This pushes the eagles even further cutting screen time down to 30 minutes a day, waking up at 6:30, lights out at 10:00 pm, and adding in some additional things to their morning routine based on all of the research that went into the Miracle Morning.
After pushing even harder in these same areas for 60 days, these eagles will not be the same.
As many of you know, the final showdown of the Odyssey must be earned. Today your eagles voted as a tribe to select "Earning the Self-Mastery badge" as the vehicle to unlock the final showdown. The vote was super-super-majority (90%) and they are genuinely excited about doing something hard and becoming better, stronger people.
Their commitment should inspire us as parents to fulfill our commitment each of us made at our last parent meeting to let our kids do hard things.
Earning this will require a great deal of discipline. And no doubt feeling supported by each of you will make an enormous difference.
If we pull this off, I know it will improve our tribe in a great number of ways. And I believe in time we will look back at this decision and acknowledge that this change was absolutely essential to preparing these kids to change the world.
