Posts for Tag: goals

management & measurement

Monday’s Twitter #TOSAchat centered on goals. Participants were asked to select either personal or professional goal(s). One of the follow-up questions centered on tracking that goal. 

You can’t manage what you don’t measure. 

Makes sense. And, I admit that I have a horrible track record of measuring and assessing personal goals. So, I’ve decided to start a weekly check-in for my personal goals. Of course, I’ll be using my tried and true pocket notebooks. 

I like using the pocket notebooks because it has a layer of privacy and also because I am oldAF. Just kidding, but I do sometimes feel old! The last four years, I have used a similar system for my TOSA work. 

That analog system works well for me because I can quickly go back to my bulleted lists. I can quickly track progress, and readjust if needed. And, it never needs charging or system updates! 



2019

This past year was an interesting one. A lot has happened, and it’s given me numerous things to ponder as 2019 starts. Trust that I have given a lot of time to 2018’s resolutions. 

No, that’s not the best word. Resolutions are concrete, and the inflexibility inherent in the word seems like a recipe for failure. I prefer to think of them as intentions or goals. 

On twitter, facebook, and Instagram I’ve read the posts of other’s that dance around the nuance of resolutions in the face of adverse situations. I read about the obstacles and the difficult situations that make resolutions difficult to achieve. I’m not saying these posts are wrong, or poorly written. I’m just saying that resolutions are tricky. 

And, that’s why I prefer to focus on intentions. I realize some might say intentions are merely an excuse. The intentions often sound something like: 

  • “I meant to do that PBL unit with my students.”
  • “I wanted to sign up for that online class but I couldn’t find the time.”
  • “I tried to implement this new program but administration denied it.” 

Intentions can seem a lot like apathy, I suppose. However, I like to think that intentions can be a habit. And, all habits can either be a benefit or a hazard. This year, I will make it a habit to ask myself if my intentions that support my goals. If they don’t, I need to change my habits. 


EOY

As the year draws to a close, I was fortunate to spend time with friends and family in sunny Newport Beach, California. And, I recently gave a lot of thought to lessons learned. 

Don’t worry. I’m not going to bore you resolutions and life goals. We don’t need to do that to each other. Social media is full of articles about reinventing yourself and creating attainable results. Sadly, most of them are just not realistic. Maybe that’s why the theme that kept replaying in my mind was this:

No bullsh*t resolutions, just low-key executions. 

Having goals is good. Having wishes is wonderful. But, no one else can really tell you how to be happy...how to achieve what you want. See, most people can only give advice. Don't ask for advice. Ask about experiences and opinions that you can turn into advice for yourself. 

So, I’ve tried to distill my reflections into little things that are meaningful for me. I've used three-word rules, because that is what works for me. And, here is what I’ve concluded so far:  

  • Study the past
  • Keep it simple
  • Foster your intuition
  • Have a plan
  • Never sell out
  • Mind your manners
  • Factor it in
  • Work it out
  • Trust your struggle