January 1, 2015

New Year. Old Commitments. New Plan.

Well, it's a new year and like everyone else I'm making some resolutions.  It's that time when we try to commit to making ourselves better.  I can't lie, I'm attempting to do the same. What I will try to do differently from my resolutions in the past is that instead of making "Big Hairy Audacious Goals," is that this time I will be creating goals that have daily action steps. What I have discovered with experience and from my PLN is that the best goals only get checked off when they are followed with actions, small steps taken day by day.  Jay Posick, Josh Stumpenhorst and Spike Cook have shown me how this practice can make the difference.

So to restate my same ole, same ole goals, but with a refreshed effort and an action plan they are as follows:


1.  Lose 72 lbs.  - This may seem like a huge goal to many but to me this means just losing 6 lbs per month.  It means controlling portions and eliminating snacks (except a fruit or veggie).  I hope to blow past this goal as I have read many posts from Facebook about folks that had amazing results in just one year, but for now I will be happy with this goal.



2.  Increase Fitness.  - This goal is so vague it's almost shameful, but to be honest if I do anything to increase my fitness it will be a step in the right direction.  The key here will be making it daily.  No matter how long or what the type, exercise daily will be a key.  Establish a routine.




3.  Be More Gracious.  - I feel that I made a big impact with this goal last year and while I did a better job of showing gratitude this past year, I feel like I can still do more in this area.  Not only does it make others feel good, but it honestly makes me feel good and I will take all the positive vibes I can get.



4.  Be a Coach.  - This is something that I have believed in for quite a while and I think I have made strides here as well, but now it is time to become a model in this area and to develop an expertise. I have plenty of more reading to do and I am looking forward to a workshop with Jim Knight coming up in a couple months.  I want to be a Teacher's Coach and I want to be great at it.  Time for some more reading, time for more #educoach chats on Twitter and time to develop the courage to follow through on what I have learned and what I believe in.



5.  Be A Sharer.  - This is where I should almost state the goal as: be more courageous.  I share a lot on Twitter and Facebook.  I share articles, blog posts and videos with my staff.  But what I've always felt a little weak at was being a presenter.  I had the opportunity to present over the Winter Break and I actually enjoyed it.  It went well. I have watched some of the best presenters and I think I have said to myself I could never be that good, that funny, that witty, or even as smart. Pictured to the above is Joe Sanfelippo, a good friend and an incredible presenter.  He's a superintendent here in Wisconsin and I have met him several times and I can tell you honestly with no intention of helping a friend, he is a presenter you must see someday. His humor and wit is only seconded by his passion for his district and helping students and teachers be successful. He has helped me build some courage to try. It's time for me to conquer this fear and believe in myself and start to be a presenter at conferences. I have learned a lot over the years and especially through my connections on Twitter and Voxer. It's time for me to share what I've learned and to improve my presentation skills. I will try and I will get better, but I will be a presenter for at least 2 conferences/workshops this upcoming year.



I've never felt more empowered than I have recently and with the support I have had from my wife, my kids and some of the best friends I have ever had (shout out to my Voxer Brothers and Voxer Family) I feel like I can attain these goals with more ease than I once believed possible. I truly hope other educators get the chance to connect with such positive and supportive people as I have met over the last 4 years. They are wonderful and I am thankful for them for so many things, but mostly for believing in me and making me a better person.  Now......it's just time to:



8 comments:

  1. Tom, congratulations on having the courage to be so transparent with your goals for this year. I've always struggled with making these kinds of "promises" to myself. Maybe it's the specificity of the commitment or the fear of failure. Maybe it's not having a clear set of priorities. But I expect to get there, someday. Why? Because of people like you who put a name or a number on it and remind us, that we are not alone in our pursuits. The support of family, good friends, and a wider PLN give us what we need to succeed. And best of all, when someone like you has committed to goals like these, they serve to benefit and inspire others. Which is really what we need to remember, as educators, right? Great post, Tom. Happy, Healthy New Year!

    Dennis

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    1. Ohhhh Dennis......Transparent is easy. Keeping the commitment is the hard part. These are not new resolutions for me. Well, mayne the coaching part, but even that is something I have wanted to be better at for a while. What I have found is that my PLN is a huge support network for me and I rely on them for a great deal of support and innovative thinking. I am glad you are a part of that group and support.

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  2. Best of luck Tom on your goals. I'll be here to support you.

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    1. I knew you would before you even replied Matt. You have always been a great support and friend I can count on. Thanks for all the sharing you do. This does of course mean that when we get together, beer becomes a health food that needs to be consumed.....within reason. :-)

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  3. Let us know how we can help, Tom! I try to have only one goal, so these look overwhelming to me. I've had the goal of showing more gratitude this past year, and I'll keep that up, and am now adding one more (for my health) this year - drink more water!! ;) That should help with snacking and eating too much at each meal. Good luck, and again - let us know what we can do to help! Side note - I'll miss you and Leah at EdCampMadison this year. :( I just can't make it, but will follow the tweets!

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    1. Bummed you can't make it to Madison, but we will find another time to get together. Are you going to #edcampIA in Iowa City on January 31st? Hope to see you soon either way.

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  4. Rock on brother - so proud of you for even putting these goals out there for the world! I know you are going to try your hardest to make them happen and will meet with great success in 2015. Thanks for sharing this inspiration, thank you for the daily support and thank you for being YOU!!!

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    1. Thanks Tony!! You know you are a big part of my support team......for a great many things! So glad we have become good friends and that I finally got to meet you. Next time you are skipping the pizza and going with the crew. I truly appreciate all the sharing you and our Voxer group do on a daily basis. You all help me laugh, stay calm, reflect and learn from our shared experiences. #wdtvs

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