What’s your One Little Word?
When I was a classroom teacher it was so easy to get pulled in so many directions and get caught up in so many projects. I was always volunteering to be on this committee and to chair that important group, that it was easy to get lost to what really mattered: teaching my students. Has that ever happened to you?
Part of that comes from the fact that I’m inherently a high energy person, sometimes driven to distraction! No…really I am. And 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 a creative person. You’d probably not really think that about me, if you met me. I don’t have a funky style of dress, I don’t know how to paint, draw, or make amazing hand-made creations that I can sell on Etsy. But are those things what really defines a person as creative?
One Little Word. An Idea that Sparked a Resolution.
January is a time of new beginnings. At least it always has been for me. In this time, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how to harness this energy that I have, to be focused in the work that I do, and I came upon this project.
This One Little Word project got me thinking that if I could make a commitment to pick a word for the year that defined my work, it would support me to stay focused on the things that matter in my work. It would guide me to concentrate and grow, instead of being all over the map. It would also help me to support others to do the same.
The more I thought about what my word would be and all the words that educators might pick to describe their work such as organized, professional, structured…the more I thought that those words didn’t work. I wanted to choose a word that would inspire me, lift me up and make me smile every time I thought about it.
So I thought about all the projects and people I’ve known in my career as a teacher and a principal. I thought about what I remembered that defined those projects and people who I really enjoyed and admired. What was the essence of those experiences? Then it hit me: Creative.
I began to reflect on those opportunities that I had to do creative projects and be around creative people. I remembered that those were the times that I was the most successful, content, and happy. The project might have been to create something seemingly mundane like design a new schedule, rubric, report card or workshop. But during those times, working with those creative teachers, I was truly challenged to create something new from something old, and I loved it! I was inspired to work with others, hear their perspectives and see the project come to life.
I want to wake-up every morning knowing that I have a new opportunity to CREATE. Maybe it’s a blog post, a new chapter in my book or a photograph. Maybe it’s a workshop, a journal entry or my new goal: an e-course for educators. Whatever it is, I want to hold that word close to my heart and be a “ripple in the pond” for other educators.
In my work, I never want to be the kind of educator who grows stagnant and stops learning. I want to consistently push myself now (as a consultant), just as I did as a teacher, to think big thoughts for myself, have big dreams and Create!
So will you join me? Will you take this time to re-focus your work for 2012? Come back to the thing that really resonates for you?
Will you choose One Little Word? Mine is CREATE. What’s yours?
Originally posted at InspiredTeacher/ Photo:Sarah Parrott CC BY-NC-SA 2.030 Comments
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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
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Hi Lisa! Thanks for this great idea of choosing a word for the year! I wish all of us that this neuro linguistic programming (i guess it can be called so ) method works and we achieve great results! : )
My word for this year is ‘USE’.. sounds strange, but makes sense to me :p.. more about it on my blog
http://kvitka-ua-2012.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-one-little-word-for-2012.html
Cheers, Helen
Yay! I’m so glad that you stopped by and left a comment. Your word is so interesting and great that you blogged about it! Stay in touch as you go through this year with your One Little Word!
I loved your post. As I read it I kept thinking, how did she describe me so well? I too always feel as though I have enough energy and enthusiasm for dozens of projects. I feel too that I sometimes lose myself and my students along the way. I love the idea of one word. I’m choosing…..open. To new opportunities. Ways of seeing the world.
Ann, Thanks so much for reading and commenting! Open is an amazing word. It shows that you are unwilling to let your self get trapped in the “educator” box of potential stiff, stale work. Rather you can build on a strong foundation and stay OPEN to new learning. Cheers!
I’ve like to share my little word…. THANK YOU!….. for all the beautiful things in life.
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! Your word is awesome! keep it vibrant all year. 🙂
Tell. 😀
Martha, thanks for reading and for sharing your word. 🙂
Nice post and we have a lot in common! Appreciate it
Bill, I appreciate you reading and commenting. I hope that you consider choosing a word!
My word would be INSPIRE. Inspire myself or anyone else for that matter. Inspire to be a better you or I what you choose to do in life!!! Love this!
Eileen, I appreciate the comment luv. INSPIRE is a great word and one that is constantly on my mind. Although, not all the work I do is inspirational, it’s my hope that it will be…more often than not. I’m sure that you will not only stay inspired with your word, but that your WILL inspire others. Cheers!
Imagine
Thanks for reading and commenting my Tribrr friend 🙂 Love your word.
I’ll add “Gratitude” to the list. The moment you thank G*d for the good in your life vs list/think about the bad, the sooner your attitude will improve and everything else. Simply, if you are healthy, you have MUCH to be grateful for. IF you are employed, again more gratitude. IF you’re blessed with a loving family, again, more to be grateful for…
Love that you read and left me a comment, Bruce. 🙂 Your word, Gratitude, is so powerful in my life also. “Attitude of Gratitude” is something we consistently strive for in our home. Thanks for the reminder.
I love this idea! I too selected a word, mine is Courage. I want to push myself to do things and challenge myself. My teaching partner selected Inspire, which is perfect! So then we decided to have our kids chose a word too, we have 50 third, fourth and fifth graders. They loved it! They selected words like brave, believe, hope and create. Now we talk about our words everyday and the connections we make are pushing our kids to all new heights!
Ann, Thanks so much for leaving a comment! You are so fortunate to have a team mate who is collaborating with you on One Little Word. I’m so excited to hear that you’ve both taken the step even further to include your students. This is SO awesome! I can only imagine the amazing opportunities you have to engage the learning, and keep it fresh, by being able to use their “words” as a catalyst. Bravo, friend! Stay in touch…would love to continue to hear about your success with the OLW project. 🙂
I think my word may be INVOLVED and to try and not be so passive – take the bull by the horns and get in there! My little 4 yr old starts school for the first time tomorrow and time will be on my side now to get those things done that have been on the backburner for so long. I want to keep my involvement in their lives by volunteering at school and taking on creative projects. Perhaps now that my babies will be spending a great deal more time away from the nest, it’s quite possible I’m just a bit reluctant to cut the apron strings? LOL
Linda, So honored that you took the time to read and leave a comment. You are embarking on a new journey now that your little one will be in school. I love that you choose the word Involved and that you feel this will inspire you shed the shell of passivity. I was very involved in the school lives of my kids, even as I was a school principal. It was challenging at times, especially when I was a band booster Mom, but I have no regrets. But…Yes, take some time for you too. Get involved in your passions,you will be a better Mom for that action. Keep in touch and let me know about your success!
Awesome Lisa. You are Creative–Creating great opportunities for others to walk in their purpose!
Purposed is my word! I strive daily to touch 1 life in a major way (I mean to tears or revelation -shaking experiences). I “purposefully” reach out with the intent to help them realize their purpose/passion. These purposeful acts energize ME!
LaToniya, Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Your kind words humble me. My word CREATE is going to continue to fuel my passion. Excited for you that you are going to join me and have picked Purposed as your One Little Word. I sense that you will be driven to keep this at the fore front of your work and that you will be Amazing this 2012! Keep in touch and let me know, how this journey continues. 🙂
I love your idea and your word! Teaching, if is good, is very creative and teachers are like artists. While teaching can, in part, be a science I truly believe that teaching is an ART! This past year I have felt the same way and like you can be pulled into so many directions. I am always reminding myself that I am there to teach students! Great blog post!
Chris, Thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment. I appreciate your kind words and really agree that teaching is an Art! All the best to you on your teaching journey this 2012. Let me know, if you decide to choose a word! Cheers!
Open … being open to new possibilities instead of not considering, open to new experiences instead of saying “oh I can’t do that” when I really want to and fear (of failure, of not knowing how, of falling, of looking stupid, etc.) — so this year, I’m “open” for trying new things, working harder at the things I love to see how far I can go!
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post and comment. I so agree! Being open to new possibilities is energizing and makes life exciting. Let’s keep in touch on the how our word continues to inspire and drive us. 🙂
I’ve been thinking of this all week. What’s a word for: Problem Solver? Resourceful? I think that will be my word. If I’m reflecting, I’d say this is one of my strongest skills and I love being able to take a situation,problem, challenge and fix it, or set a goal and a path for it. But, if there’s a better word for Problem Solver, please share!
Janet, Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I’m so excited to hear that you are going to do the One Little Word this year. How about Solution Seeker or Solutionist or Illuminate? Let me know what you decide and let’s keep in contact 🙂
You are one whirlwind person! I love your blogs – just found them this week. I hope I can keep up – currently I’m off work with a broken leg, so I have the luxury of time! I like ‘solutionist’ better than ‘illuminate’ which sounds a little bit more pretentious than I am! (Did we just make up that word, solutionist??)
Yes! I love new words 😉 Solutionist should be added to the dictionary!