Do it now . . . sometimes later becomes never.

When you have an opportunity, when you have the chance to respond, step-up and act. Don’t let opportunities to make a difference slip past you.

Our world is changing incredibly fast. We must live in the moment. Take the time to seize each moment . . . live in the now. As we step-up and make a difference, we are required to act. As we have opportunities to build relationships and make connections; we must be in the moment. Don’t wait until later, don’t put it off till tomorrow, respond now.

Love powers grit! If you love it, you won’t quit. If you love your team you won’t quit on them. – Jon Gordon

We are willing to do more, we are willing to go the extra mile, because we love what we do. Our work isn’t 40 hours a week . . . we aren’t driven by a time clock. Our work is our love; our work is our passion.

When we “think we not me” it demonstrates our love for the team. Our action, our commitment to excellence, is because of our love. Love powers what we do. It powers us through obstacles; it allows us to be positive when others are negative.

I make writing as much a part of my life as I do eating or listening to music. – Maya Angelou

Writing is personal reflection. Writing permits time to intentionally and purposefully consider the present situation. Writing is time to dream, to plan, and to create. From the past, in the present, and to the future writing engages the brain.  Writing turns thoughts into words. When we write, we think for ourselves and others to see.

Make time in your day – or time in your week – to write. Keep a journal, write for colleagues, or send a thoughtful note to a friend. The audience is less important than the process. It isn’t the destination that’s important . . . it’s the journey.

It’s our one-year anniversary . . . what do you think?

It’s the one-year anniversary of Life in Focus. A journey that started as a simple daily email to keep us focused and intentional during the 2015 holiday season, has evolved into a blog, tweet, and for some, a subscription to a daily email. First of all, thank you. Taking the time to write these short messages provides me great time for reflection. The act of writing has provided time for intentional and purposeful focus.

As we complete a calendar year, I am seeking guidance and direction. Would you like to see these messages continue? Do you find value in the daily messages?

I have been writing for a year . . . I am open to suggestions, thoughts, and direction. Please let me know via email at hilliardsupt@icloud.com.

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. – Albert Schweitzer

We have all had people in our lives that rekindled a spark in us. Our lives, our work, require much of us; we don’t live lives of isolation, but rather live in a culture of teamwork and support. There are times when we fall down and need others to help pick us up. There are times we have the amazing opportunity to rekindle the spark in others; the time when we get to pick others up.

Today, take a moment to thank those people in your life who continue to support and partner with you; thank those that rekindle the spark when you felt the stress of the world around you. Make a call, send a text, or personally touch-base with someone who keep you going when times are tough. Let’s not limit our thanks for our victories and successes . . . let’s give thanks to those in our lives who bless us and make us who we are today.

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. – Melody Beattie

Being thankful . . . living life with gratitude . . . is contagious. When you take the time to thank those in your life, thank those who make a difference, you set an example for others to follow. A simple “thank you” lets others know your appreciation, and it also encourages a culture of gratitude.

As we reflect on the many blessings in our lives, as we give thanks for the loved ones, friends and colleagues in our lives that give us strength and support, we are grateful for the peace and joy we share together. The seed for tomorrow’s vision is sown in our success and gratitude of today. Continue to cultivate an attitude of gratitude . . . it is essential to a great yield for tomorrow.

If your vision for your life doesn’t including impacting the lives of others than you should create a bigger, bolder vision. – Jon Gordon 

Do your personal and professional goals overlap? Are your personal and professional goals in alignment? Does your vision of success include making the lives of others better?

 

We all spend time creating professional vision and mission statements. We work in teams to create professional goals – for ourselves, our buildings, and our organizations. Have you spent time developing your personal vision? Have you talked with your family, spouse, or partner about your shared vision?  

 

Take time over the coming weekend, during the upcoming holiday season, to reflect on your personal vision and your family goals. Take the opportunity to bring alignment, to bring clarity, with all stations of your life. When your personal and professional purposes are aligned you create success in the future.

Don’t Chase Success. Decide to make a difference and success will find you. – Jon Gordon 

When we chase success we are comparing future actions to yesterday’s goals. Chasing success is often predicated on following in other people’s footsteps. We see someone or something that was successful – and we want to do it again.

 

Here’s the challenge, future success has yet to be attained. Our success in the future is depended on a new path . . . it is a path we have yet to blaze. For us, success in the future is about making a difference for others. For us, as we chase elite performance, it is about stepping up and serving others. If we dedicate ourselves to making a difference success will find us.

The path to greatness is never behind you. Just keep moving forward. – Jon Gordon 

As a former history teacher, I am well versed in the philosophy that if we don’t study history we are doomed to repeat it. Our growth mindset is incumbent on reflection of past actions; it requires a purposeful commitment to improvement.

 

Here is the thing . . . our path to being elite . . . our unwillingness to settle for average . . . is predicated on us moving forward. What we did yesterday demands reflections; past successes should be cherished and celebrated. We must honor our history; we honor it by learning from it but not clinging to it. For us, the path to elite is in the future . . . keep your vision forward.

Each day remember your purpose. Remember why you do what you do. We don’t get burned out because of what we do. We get burned out because we forget why we do it. – Jon Gordon 

We live our lives with great purpose. As educators we have the phenomenal responsibility of shaping the future each and every day.  

 

We have enumerable challenges in our work. From moving targets for achievement created by lawmakers to evolving instructional methods driven by a rapidly changing world, from social media’s need for immediacy to increasing number of families dealing with the impact of poverty . . . the work we do is our purpose. When we remember why we do what we do it provides energy, inspiration, and power.

 

We must take care of ourselves as educators. We must be at our best to give our students the best. Today . . . remember your purpose and keep doing what you do.