One Little Word:Join Me in The Journey
When I was a classroom teacher I was easily pulled in many directions and got caught up in way too many projects. In my eagerness to serve, I frequently volunteered to be on this committee and to chair that important group. It was easy to get lost to what really mattered: teaching my students. Sound familiar?
Part of that comes from the fact that I’m inherently a high energy person, sometimes driven to distraction! Part of that comes from the fact that I’m constantly looking to re-invent myself, and my work, because, deep down inside, I’m never quite satisfied that what I’m doing ( in my work) is good enough. Enter the One Little Word Project.
One Little Word. Join The Journey.
January is a time of new beginnings and as for many, always will be. I’ve been thinking a about how to harness this beginning of the year energy I have, to be focused in the work that I do, and once again I encourage you to take a look at this project.
This One Little Word project got me thinking that committing to pick a word for the year that defined my work would
- support me to tell stories that matter.
- guide me to concentrate and grow.
- force me to reflect and know that I am good enough.
- encourage me to blog with consistency.
- help me to support others to do the same.
I participated in the One Little Word project, just on my own, in 2012 and my word was CREATE. What I found, as I reflected over the past year, was that I did better work, because my word was guiding me.
As I thought about what my word would be for this year I was inspired by a Facebook post my friend Angela Maiers shared yesterday. It was a simple one that said, “It’s Friday!!! What’s the word? ” I immediately replied RESONATE.
Thinking about it…this word is one that when I see it, speak it, visualize it, always seems to inspire me, lift me up and make me smile.
I want to wake-up every morning, see my word in my mind’s eye, knowing that I have a new opportunity to RESONATE .
Maybe I resonate through a blog post, a tweet or a photograph. Maybe it’s through a story I share, a workshop I present, a chat I host, or that e-course to support new teachers that I’m still developing. Whatever it is, I want to hold that word close and be a source of resonating energy for the educators I connect with.
In my life as in my work, I never want to be that person who grows stagnant and stops learning. I want to consistently push myself in my work now, just as I did as a teacher, and administrator, to think big thoughts, have big dreams and RESONATE!
I’m a big fan of Nancy Duarte and actually got to meet her in person at a conference in 2012. She signed my copy of Resonate and it was a pleasure to hear her speak. Take a minute and listen to her share, Engage Through Storytelling. I think this message can resonate for us as educators as we teach and collaborate.
Inspired to join me? Will you choose a word that speaks to you and motivates you in your work? Will you join me in the One Little Word journey?
My word for 2013 is Resonate. What’s yours?
I’m excited to be joining the BlogHer January Blogging series, a series of blog prompts that bloggers agree to write about each day. The blogosphere is going to be active with the hashtag #NaBloPoMo and I have made the commitment to post daily for the month of January, so wish me luck! While participating, I hope to push myself to be creative and grow in my ability to be a better blogger. It would be great for you to participate with me by commenting on my post with your own take on the topic. (Weekends are free write days!)
Thank you for stopping by!
photo credit: One Little Word via @BigPictureClass
1 Comment
Submit a Comment
LISA DABBS
Wife. Mom. Educator. Author. She started her career as an elementary school teacher in Southern California. In this role as teacher, she assisted with a grant project and became the Project Director of a Language and Literacy program. Read more
CONNECT WITH ME
I would say that my word would be “Difference” in the sense “make a difference” in the world. The teachers in the world is so important for the future of the planet. The new “education paradigm” can get us together and be more effective in that.
Greetings from a snowy Sweden