My #OneWord2023 Reflect

 

At the end of summer I purchased my first vehicle in my name alone. This is my first vehicle to have a back-up camera and digital display. It is necessary to have a view of what is behind you in order to back the vehicle into a position where you can drive in the direction you want to go. But having learned to drive a long time ago, I still turn to look behind me and use my side and rear view mirrors for all angles of view. I don't know if I'll ever get used to having or using that back-up camera, but I'm glad I have the option.

"Reflection. Looking back so that the view looking forward is even clearer." ~Unknown

Looking back is something most of us do at the end of a year or the beginning of the next. We look back at our past resolutions and goals to determine our level of success in reaching them.  We reflect on the exceptional experiences we have had as well as the not so exceptional.  

One of my favorite quotes is "We do not learn from experience...we learn from reflecting on experience." ~John Dewey.  I have decided that I need to reflect on my experiences more consistently than I have in the past. REFLECT will be my #oneword2023. 

Reflect: verb, 1. (of a surface or body) throw back (heat, light, or sound) without absorbing it; (of a mirror or shiny surface) show an image of; embody, or represent (something) in a faithful or appropriate way. 2. think deeply or carefully about. 3. (of an action or situation) bring credit or discredit to the relevant parties.

I hope to reflect through my daily writing; to reflect on my day, my teaching, my relationships with students and other educators. Looking back and thinking deeply about them in order to continue in the direction that I want to go as an educator. I also want to reflect on my home, my family, and personal friendships. Looking back in order to redirect and balance my personal life. 

And lastly I want to reflect, or represent in a faithful or appropriate way, the light of Christ in me. I want others to be able to recognize the difference He has made, and continues to make in my life on a daily basis. 

What is your #oneword ?

Action Creates Change

I am glad I have moved away from New Year's resolutions.  I was never successful at staying committed to my goals even when I wrote them down. If I had been more strategic in breaking my goals down into measurable steps and set up an accountability system, I might have seen more success.  Committing to choosing a #oneword for the last six years has been much more helpful to me as I focus on one word that guides my thoughts and decisions for the year.

My #oneword2022 , ACT , was not only about commitment, but more importantly following through with my commitments. I wanted my actions to speak for what I believe, for my goals, and for who I am.  

How well did my actions speak for my goals, my beliefs, and myself this year?

• I met my 2022 Reading Goal of 40 books that I set on Goodreads.
• I attended #TCEA22 on my own dime since it was close by this year.
• I attended #TCCA22 and introduced my daughter-in-law to her first educational conference.
• I set and tracked five daily goals consistently beginning June 1st through to the end of this year.
• I successfully met my five daily goals of Bible reading, two minute plank, Procreate quote creation, walking, and writing.
• I presented two different after-school technology PD sessions for teachers to attend voluntarily.

What did not go as well as I had hoped?

• I began reading several professional PD books and stalled out.
• I did not blog as much as I would have liked.
• I did not control my blood sugar as well as I had hoped.
• I did not spend as much time with my husband as I needed.

I feel that because my #oneword was ACT, I was empowered to set those daily, personal goals for myself in June. Because I had committed to action, I was motivated to track and meet those goals on a daily basis, even if it meant staying up late to get it done. I changed my routines in order to be successful in meeting those goals. 

My #oneword inspired me, reminded me to take action which in turn helped me to create change in my habits and myself. Simon Sinek said it well when he said, "Words may inspire but only action creates change."