Saturday, January 14, 2012

Change the game

Just watched Moneyball. Great movie. A man named Billie Beane changed the way baseball was played. His team won 20 games in a row in 2002. He was recruited for the Boston Red Sox and they were going to pay him more than 2 million. He would have been the highest paid General Manager baseball had at the time. I loved how he chose to stay with the Oakland A's in part because his daughter lived in Cali. Money isn't everything.

Moneyball reminded me of Malcolm Gladwell. Love his writing. It is very inspiring and fascinating. I highly recommend him.

I had a hard time sleeping the other night so I downloaded some book samples to my kindle for iphone. My friend Mindy had recommended Jillian Michaels book Unlimited. But, before I read that I started reading the sample for the book she wrote on metabolism. I'll have to read it in it's entirety. According to what I have read so far my metabolism is out of whack.

Back to the movie. I think I need to change the game in some areas of my life. Just like the movie, some of what I'm doing isn't producing the results I would like. I need to make goals and stick to them.

Now for my master plan to CHANGE my GAME!

Friday, January 13, 2012

Roommates

I can't wait until I have a more permanent roommate situation. I know I shouldn't complain but I have had over 100 roommates since I moved away from home. I have met some wonderful people, and made some good friends.

On the other hand I have learned everyone is very different in communication, expectations, and lots more. I pray that God will bless me with a good one this time around.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Halfway

Tomorrow and Friday we are celebrating halfway day in my class. We are halfway through the school year. It has gone by fast. A good time to reevaluate my teaching.

So to get back to the 5 choices.......

One of the biggest roles in my life is that of Teacher. I have a hard time balancing my time with this role. I either spend what feels like all my time on teaching, or I get home and don't want to do anything related to work.

I feel the key to becoming extraordinary as a Teacher is learning where to spend my time.

Grading-
necessary but a BIG time sucker. So for now I am grading the minimal amount that is required.
Planning-

I love coming up with new ways to teach concepts but I find myself being sucked into the internet twilight zone. I easily lose track of time and find so many ideas that it is hard to apply them. I think if I had a goal to work on one or two things a week I would slowly make progress and come out ahead (like the tortoise).

Teaching Methods-

This one is important as well. Methods can make all the difference. No matter how good a lesson is, PRESENTATION is key to STUDENT SUCCESS.

Now to make concrete goals based on my musings.......

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Exhaustion

I've been back at work now for about a week and am exhausted. Teaching is a very tiring but rewarding job. I need to get more sleep, exercise regularly, and eat better so that I can have enough energy to get me through the day. I could also drink more water (I heard that helps).

What do you do to give yourself energy?
I am open to suggestions.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Balance

There is a fine line between having balance and leading an extraordinary life. I tend to go in cycles. Work, Work, Work
Play, Play, Play
It is hard for me to balance work and play. I either work all the time or get home from work and play play play.

I think goal setting is the key....

Last year I went to a seminar sponsored by Franklin Covey. It was enlightening.
Five choices we make influence how productive and extraordinary we become. I learned that we need to decide on the key roles we play in life. With each role we then need to make goals to become extraordinary in each of the roles we play.

I keep meaning to work on my goals but alas, one of my weaknesses is procrastination.

So for the next few days, each time I post I will talk about one of my key roles and what extraordinary looks like in each of those roles. It will help me in the path toward making good manageable goals.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Thoughts from Stake Conference

Service is usually inconvenient

Decisions determine destiny
GO BIG or GO HOME


During why me moments
Choose HOPE

Looking back on these moments I ask myself what can I learn from these moments
& how can this trial be for my good or the good of others my life touches

Surface testimonies will not be enough

I had a good talk with a friend after church and realize that I have a lot of changing to do this year. Baby steps......

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Reminders

I went to the adult session of stake conference tonight. I had some good reminders on what I should be doing in my life to improve it.

1- Be inclusive
I don't have to be everyone's best friend but I do need to be Christlike

2- Prayer is POWERFUL
There is power in prayer, even when the answer is no

3- SERVE
We will never know the part we play in someone else's miracle
Follow promptings

4- I am a disciple of Christ first and foremost