Personally, I've never been a big fan of New Year's resolutions.
I feel like there is so much hype surrounding them, not to mention the pressure of the timing. At the close of the holiday season, going back to school can be difficult for students and teachers and the added pressure of meeting an unrealistic goal can be tough. When I lived in Korea, I used to wait a few weeks and set a "Lunar New Year's Resolution," giving me a buffer to settle back into my routines first. It also often failed.
Given the dearth of New Year's posts, I resisted the dual temptations of setting a resolution and blogging about it. However, the inspiration of colleagues and an unlikely television moment set my wheels in motion. On her blog, Beth Coyle wrote about not setting a resolution, but deciding on a mindset for the New Year. On his blog, Jeff Eller wrote not about adding to your proverbial plate, but focusing more on something you're already doing well.
And then, this:
Happy New Year!
I feel like there is so much hype surrounding them, not to mention the pressure of the timing. At the close of the holiday season, going back to school can be difficult for students and teachers and the added pressure of meeting an unrealistic goal can be tough. When I lived in Korea, I used to wait a few weeks and set a "Lunar New Year's Resolution," giving me a buffer to settle back into my routines first. It also often failed.
Given the dearth of New Year's posts, I resisted the dual temptations of setting a resolution and blogging about it. However, the inspiration of colleagues and an unlikely television moment set my wheels in motion. On her blog, Beth Coyle wrote about not setting a resolution, but deciding on a mindset for the New Year. On his blog, Jeff Eller wrote not about adding to your proverbial plate, but focusing more on something you're already doing well.
And then, this:
While most assuredly not about New Year's resolutions, I knew that I had to share this with my students. 2017 was a year of downs and I, like most others, was uplifted by the messages in Oprah's speech. I wanted my students to hear it too, to know that there is hope and strength in a world of adversity. Believe me, their responses indicated that they heard that message loud and clear. In their own words, "I felt like she was talking directly to me."
And that's when it hit me. Resolutions aren't about making empty promises or setting goals. Not really. They're about making a decision to start on a positive.
So, for 2018, I strive to do what I've always done, but a little better. Like Oprah Winfrey (did I really just say that?), I will concentrate on helping everyone around me (my students, my colleagues, my family) become just a little bit better.
Happy New Year!
(characteristically a little late)
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