The New Year is here and it’s already been a whirlwind around our house! We’ve hosted guests from Japan and Canada (thanks to a wonderful hospitality network we belong to that enables us to meet families from all over the world!), scoured every thrift store in the area looking for vintage props for my kids’ latest production with our local Christian Youth Theater (My Fair Lady), driven 45 minutes each way to load an excessively heavy era sofa due to the afore-mentioned props search, finished writing some curriculum for my two high school sons to delve into this semester, and spent an evening in the studio to prepare for lessons that resume Monday. That evening was tonight. But other than printing some papers to hand out to my students to commence their Psalms Project, I’ve managed to accomplish next to nothing.
Anyone else feeling a little less than prepared going into a new semester of teaching? For someone who’s used to filling out pages worth of goals in neat lists organized by topic, it’s a little disconcerting to launch a New Year sans specific objectives. But I’m pondering something new and revolutionary this year.
Not making goals.
[gasp!]
Instead of focusing on checking items off of lists, I’ve been impressed with the aim of making this year one of focus on people. And not in an add-them-to-a-list-or-a-plan-so-that-I-can-still-check-them-off-as-an-accomplishment sort of way. 😉 Rather, I want to really be in the moment, ready to listen and serve, focused on others’ needs and not just getting things accomplished. This. is. very. hard. for. me.
Even in my studio I want to prioritize coming alongside my students, enjoying the moment with them, and being sensitive to their needs. I’ve been teaching for over 20 years now and even though there is always more to learn more, the truth is I have plenty of resources and ideas that I never touch, in part because I am so dependent on pre-planning. If I didn’t think of it and decide to do it ahead of time, it probably won’t happen during a lesson. I’m not a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of person. That’s why I pour dozens of hours into planning practice incentive themes every year! Don’t get me wrong; I’m not doing away completely with structure. I’m just striving to be more okay being less in control. To go with the flow. To be ready to meet each student where they are at and adapt to their needs in the moment. For this brain that’s used to planning everything in detail, I’m sure it will make for an adventurous spring semester! I’ll try to report back and let you know how it goes. Or if it’s a complete disaster. And I’d love to hear your goals (or non-goals) for the year as well!
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