Welcome 2009

OK, so I’ve never actually made New Year’s Resolutions before. I’m usually a person who decides I want something and goes after it. There’s no waiting until a particular time of year to make a commitment. “Get it done” is more my style, but this year I’ve been thinking (dangerous, I know).

There are things that I keep hoping to do, but for some reason or another I don’t necessarily follow through. Call it procrastination. Call it exhaustion. Frankly, I call it laziness. So, this year I figured that I would put these things out there for all the world. It’s a bit harder to back out of a personal commitment when the world knows what you are supposed to be doing. We can count this as public and personal accountability, but here goes… My goals for 2009.

1. Say NO more often. This year, I would like to commit to less so that I can commit more of myself to the things about which I am most passionate. While I love learning and doing in all areas, I want to start to narrow my focus more.

2. Build my PLN. In the past few months, I have become an active part of an amazing PLN on Twitter. (Feel free to join in @kellyhines) Every day I get access to some of the best minds in education who have common interests, goals and aspirations for the development of global education. My goal is to continue to seek out the network of people that will enhance my abilities to serve my students, my own children and my school. I only pray that I can help others as much as I have been helped.

3. Build in one-on-one time with each of my kids each day. I don’t have grand thoughts as to an hour a piece because we all have busy schedules. My boys are growing up, and they are growing up fast. While we used to do so much together, they are developing even more distinct interests and personalities these days. I want David and Tyler to each be proud of who they are individually, and I want them to know that they are each special in their own way. As twins, they get “lumped together” enough. 15 minutes. That’s my goal.

4. Read more. I love to read, but it usually becomes a race for completion on vacations (last summer I read over 2o books). I want to focus on reading more “for fun” throughout the year. One per month is my goal. I’ll definitely keep track so you can keep me accountable. Do you have any suggestions for me?

So… here it is. My list for 2009. Think I can do it? I’m going to post this on my professional blog as well, hoping to capture the nagging of all my PLN and readers.

Help me out. Leave a message of encouragement or a book suggestion or an idea of who to stalk (oops, I mean follow) on Twitter or elsewhere to enhance my learning!