Comfortable with the Uncomfortable

Today I was talking with one of my favorite colleagues about my excitement in attempting new things like flipping my classroom and the integration of different types of technology.  As we were having our conversation, the fear of failure when learning something new came up.  I think it is this type of fear, which in the past, has held me back when it came to trying something new.  I related totally with my colleague.  When I do something in or out of the classroom, I want to do it well.  I don't like to put a half effort into anything I do, because I am never satisfied with the result of that effort.  The same went for integrating the technology into the classroom and flipping.  I am not sure why that fear seems to have dissipated, but the feeling was familiar to me just last week before I posted my first online tutorial for my students to view.  I was self-conscience about so many things..."What does my voice sound like on the computer? Is it dorky that the kids can see my face in the side window?  Is my video as understandable as my lecture (which I am so used to doing)?  Will the flip actually work?  Will my students really watch the video and do the homework?"  Oh the self-doubt was so thick, you could cut it with a knife!  I was really skeptical about making my video public for the world to view as well.  I had a lot to get over and quick, because I had been telling my students the flip was coming. I think the key with me was getting okay with it all...becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable.  This is hard for a teacher with 13 years experience.  The easy thing for us all is to fall back on what we know.  Sometimes our experience is best for our students, but the more I learn, the more I realize, the field of education is changing.  Don't get me wrong, the goal is still the same...Teach kids!  But teaching is so much different than the experiences I had growing up or even what I learned to do in college.  As educators we need to adjust, adapt and overcome our fears of technology integration in the classroom.  I don't think that technology will replace teachers.  I think teachers who don't use technology will be replaced.  For now, I'm comfortable with the uncomfortable.