Happy almost-New-Year!
Last week I acknowledged that depending on you and your life this may be a BUSY time of year.
And, I encouraged you to consider thinking about one way you can make time and prioritize what matters most to you this week or this month, as you wrap up the year.
One thing I always make time for in December is reflecting on the year (acknowledge accomplishments, gratitude, trying to learn from struggles) and set intentions for the new year.
Every year I take time to decide what’s important to me and set an intention for who I want to BE.
This practice has been SO powerful for me that I’m going to be transparent and share two examples (one personal, one professional) - hope that’s ok and doesn’t seem like an overshare!
Personally: I intend to be a runner, maybe even an “athlete” of sorts. …ok, that sounds ridiculous and embarrassing but the trainer I follow in the online training program I do with my treadmill calls me/us “athletes” and I’ve decided to play with trying on that identity.
Setting my intention at the “identity” level (runner/athlete vs simply “I will run 3-5x/week”) means ALL manner of actions and behaviors and learning new things will follow. This is where the magic happens because it encourages me to think and act like a runner and ask “what would an athlete do?”
Answer: a runner/athlete would go to bed on time, Barb! Stop binge watching that show!
It’s why last year at the free live TCB training series (Feb 2022) I invited you to step into the role (identity) of being the teacher who has the “magic touch” when it comes to working with children who exhibit challenging behavior.
I invited training participants to set the intention to become “magic touch teachers.”
Part of the power is then, asking yourself questions like, “What would a ‘magic touch teacher’ do?”
….And you might be surprised at how new ways of thinking and doing emerge!
Of course there are ideas, strategies, and skills to learn but embracing the role itself first is essential.
So, in 2023, as a runner (and an athlete lol!?) I’ll prioritize not just hopping on the treadmill but also sleep, protein/nutrients, and maybe most importantly: stretching (ugh - the bane of my existence).
Professionally: my intention is to be the kind of trainer/coach that connects with and welcomes our next 1000+ new members into the TCB Teachers’ Club! That’s because I believe this year-round, online professional development opportunity is how I can best support educators to become “magic touch teachers” where we get to work together to support as many children as possible.
Do you have a minute to set your intention, personally and or professionally?
I would LOVE to hear your intentions.
Please share as much or as little as you like in the comments below!
Be careful though! Magic may follow.
If you had told me 6 years ago that stepping into the role of Founder of Transform Challenging Behavior meant I’d write weekly emails received by 100,000+ educators I would have laughed out loud, explaining I’m an insecure writer (despite being published in journals/books) and not believed you!
BUT I set the intention of helping early childhood educators with challenging behavior and stepped into the role…and here we are.
Who knows, maybe one year from today I’ll write to say ‘I stretch every day now!’ …or ‘I ran a half-marathon for the first time at 52.’
What about you?
I invite you to plant your seed for the new year - personally and/or professionally in the comments!
…and let the magic happen.
(You don’t need to have the path all figured out. Trust that the opportunities, next steps, and actions will emerge).
Well, you can take the first step into becoming the Teacher who has the ‘magic touch’ today.
Download The No More Challenging Behavior Cheat Sheet and get simple yet effective strategies to help you become the teacher who has the “magic touch” when it comes to working with children who exhibit challenging behavior.
