Top 3 for Me in 2013



2013. 
A new year. 
A fresh start. 
A time to set goals. 
A whole new set of 365 days for us to accomplish the things we didn't get to the year before.

Ah, yes.  It's that time when many of us begin setting new goals for ourselves, or as some fondly still call them "resolutions."  While I am not a firm believer in new year's resolutions, I am a firm believer in setting attainable goals to improve.  During winter break, I had a lot of time to reflect on things that I would like to accomplish during 2013.  Three things kept rising to the top.  I felt that by sharing them, I would be taking the first steps in attaining them.   So, here goes...

1.  Write More
Almost a year ago, I joined Twitter and started a blog.  I had no idea what I was getting into, and during the year I was pretty sporadic about my writing, including the topics I wrote about.  This year, I am hoping to become more disciplined with my writing and really make a commitment to make writing more a part of my daily life.  I am continually inspired by my PLN on Twitter.  Many of them write daily posts on their blogs that I subscribe to and look forward to reading each day.  They inspire me to read, write, reflect, and grow.  They also provide feedback to me when I do publish my posts that helps validate me as a novice writer.  Check out the "Awesome Blogs to Follow" sidebar on my homepage to see some of their amazing work!

2.  Read More
I made a commitment this summer to become a more avid reader, and it is really paying off.  I have read more (and more regularly) in the past 6 months than I have in the past 6 years!  Again, my PLN on Twitter continues to provide the inspiration and supportive atmosphere for reading.  I am continually exposed to reviews and recommendations and love hearing what others feel about what they are reading.  I have found a community of readers (#nerdybookclub) to which I now belong.  I hope to inspire my staff and students on a daily basis to become avid readers as well.  I was honored over break to have more than one of my staff members text me for book recommendations, and I enjoy the conversations I now share with my reading community at school.  I hope to expand on my reading journey in 2013, and I have set a goal on goodreads.com to read at least 213 books this year.  I have linked my bookshelf to the homepage of my blog to help keep track of the books I am reading, hold myself accountable by tracking my goal, and share the joy of reading with others.

3.  Move More
Two years ago, I became a runner.  No...I really did!  Though you wouldn't know it now.  In 2010, I began running and completed several 5K and 10K events.  I slacked a bit in 2011, but I still stayed active enough to survive a couple of races.  However, running began to be something I put "on the back burner" as I entered the world of the principalship that year.  I moved from being an assistant principal to being the principal with no assistant.  I used the extra workload and stress as an excuse to not lace up those sneakers and get out there.  In 2012 I really floundered and running and exercise  began completely fading away from my life.  Those pounds I had shed have crept back and reared their ugly head, the energy I once had is pretty well depleted, and my self-image is really beginning to suffer.  I realize I had basically given myself every excuse in the book to say that I was not worth the time or the effort to exercise.  Well, no more.  2013 is going to find me back in my sneakers and getting out there and getting fit again.  I am really looking forward to the challenge of getting back to the point where I can say, "I am a runner."  What's even more exciting is discovering there is a community of runners with which I can also connect via my Twitter PLN--check them/us out at #runteacherrun.

I truly believe if I can write more, read more, and move more, 2013 will be a great year!