Have you ever heard the saying, “time flies when you’re having fun”? For me, this year as a state officer could be better described as time flying by while I’m doing something good. It’s hard to believe that six months ago, I was writing a blog post about my nerves leading up to my very first District Leadership Camp. At the time, these camps felt almost impossible. Now, I would give anything to go back to those moments—to be with members who were genuinely interested in what I had to say. (It really is the little things in life.)
I will never forget the very first day I officially became a state officer. We were at the State Officer Luncheon, running on a strange mix of exhaustion and excitement. That day, we had a chance to meet with our predecessors, ask questions, and gather advice. One piece of advice that Ryan shared with me still sticks out: he told us that the year ahead would be made up of different chapters—from training to workshops, to camps, leadership tours, state convention prep, and, finally, state convention itself. Each chapter would bring its own challenges, ones that would often feel insurmountable and certainly uncomfortable.
That advice couldn’t have been more accurate. My time as a state officer so far has shown me just how true those words are. At times, it feels impossible to visit 165 classrooms and leave a positive impact in every single one. It feels impossible to stay on top of all the deadlines that come with preparing for state convention. And, to be completely honest, it’s hard to ever feel like we fully have our feet under us.
But through all of that, I sometimes forget the very message we share with members every time we visit their classrooms: get out of your comfort zone and grow. It’s a lesson I’ve had to remind myself of over and over again. Growth requires intentionality. It isn’t easy, and it often means making mistakes and trying again. It’s uncomfortable and, at times, even exhausting. But it’s so worth it. These experiences may not always be fun, but they are good. Through these moments of discomfort and growth, I’ve developed tools that have allowed me to better connect with some of the incredible members of our organization.
So, I ask myself—and I ask you—what opportunities might we be missing because we’re comfortable where we are? The growing process may be uncomfortable, but it’s essential. It’s what allows us to do good work and make a meaningful impact. Even with less than 100 days left in my term as a state officer, I’m determined to keep growing, to continue stepping outside of my comfort zone, and to strive for greater success.
Time truly flies when you’re doing something good, and I’ll continue to stand by that.
With that, I have submitted my final blog post.
Signing off,
Hunter Bingham
Oregon FFA State Secretary
