The Good of Goals…

Some teachers take extravagant trips for the summer.  Some teachers plan family travels.  Others will go on spontaneous adventures.

Not me.  I….set fun-for-me goals.  Last summer, I had a reading goal, writing goal, cooking goal, and exercise goal.  I achieved all 4. Whoop!  Whoop!

So…this summer, friends kept asking if I was going anywhere or had any big plans.  Nope.  I have Jodi-plans to achieve summer-goals.  So, as summer started three weeks ago, I wrote them out.  I realized yesterday it was time to revisit, update, and/or revise.

On the evening of the last teacher-day, I wrote these.
1. Read 10 “just-for-the-pleasure-of-reading” books.
–I’ve already read 5!  Maybe I should up this to 15?

2. Plan out writing instruction since the new schedule has a specified time each day rather than squeezing it in.
–Based on the “stimulating” PD I attended the day after I wrote this, it seems our new ELA curriculum actually has writing instruction planned as well.  So, I suppose I’ll just combine that with the Smekens writing calendar…and see how they mesh.  However, this won’t happen until I return to 302 and have my ELA materials to help.

3. Finish writing “Becoming the Beast”.
–I completed my reread and revisions earlier this week (woohoo!) and shared it with editor #1 (aka my sister) to check for writing mechanics. Then, it’ll go to editor #2 and editor #3 in hopes of getting it ready to publish before the new school year begins.

4. At least start, “Feline Finale”.
     –Okay, I told myself I couldn’t start this one until after VBS.  So, this writing goal won’t commence until June 29.

5. Write “Jasper’s 12 Gifts of Christmas Break” by the end of June, so Connor can spend July on illustrations.
–Complete!  I shared it with both him and his mom, which happens to be my sister who checks for writing errors.  Hopefully, he’ll complete illustrations by the end of July, so I can do the prep work before school begins on August 8th.

6. Try 8 new recipes.
–Well, I’ve already tried FIVE, so this one will be achieved in no time.  Of course, now I’m pondering whether I should double it?  Hmmm…

7. Workout a minimum of 3 times per week, but shoot for more.
–I’ve hit the 3 but not the “or more”.  Who knew toes, ankles, and knees got irked so easily.

8. Go out to lunch with a friend once every pay rotation.
— On target with this one.  In fact, I’ve done lunch once a week instead.  Hmm, actually, I generally eat lunch every day instead of once a week.  I just eat at a restaurant with a friend at least once each week.

9. Take naps as often as I want to.
— Is there any doubt that I’ll keep at this on?  I love sleep.  It’s one of my three favorite verbs.  Just ask any of my kiddos, and they will verify.

10. Stay out of my room until after my birthday.
–Okay….this one will be getting revised.  Let’s’ face it.  Last year, I already had my library organized and computer set back up by now.  So, I’ll change it to….I won’t go back into my classroom until July.  

Goals are good.  I set them with my students, so it makes sense to set them for myself.

What’s your goal? For today?  For the year/?  Set a goal and AIM!

 “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
Proverbs 21:5

Of course in the end, I know…

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Proverbs 16:9

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:6