Category: Big Goals

The difficult I’ll do right now. The impossible will take a little while.
– Billie Holiday

Source: Wintering

As we envision what education might look like on the other side of a pandemic, this quote speaks to me. Although I do not know what the future holds, I know – deep in my heart – that we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to transform education from the ground level.

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night {Status: 119/126}

A few short sleeps as my girls faced college finals week and a few hiccups in friend circles. Thanks to my established routine, I took these in stride.

02: Learn Calligraphy

That new course is still sitting in my inbox! Maybe this will happen?

03: Purge 1000 items {Status: 566/1000}

I have two boxes of clothes ready to leave – I just need to count the items. And, 30 more subscriptions are deleted!

04: Organize the Attic 

No progress in this area this week.

05: Read 100 Books, including ALL of the DBC books. {Status: 21/100}

While I read a lot this week, I didn’t finish ANYthing. Maybe I’m due for a flood of finishes soon? Maybe?

In Progress
(1) Radical Candor | Scott {Professional Growth}
(2) Culturally Responsive School Leadership | Khalifa {Professional Growth}
(3) Hacking Questions {Professional Growth}
(4) The Ethics of Leadership | Ciulla {Professional Growth}
(5) Coaching for Equity | Aguilar {Book Study, Professional Growth}

Complete:
Pleasure Reading: 21 books.

06: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 09/52}

Mother’s Day Blueberry Cheesecake Dessert. My favorite. What a way to pamper me!

07: Get in Shape

Here are some specific action steps that I took this week:

Spring challenge continues this week. I’m enjoying a 55 day streak!

Earned a couple of cool badges!

For another week, I closed the Activity Ring every. single. day. There is something quite satisfying about these silly little rings!

I’m pretty proud of have a 135 day MOVE streak, too!

I joined ANOTHER StepBet to push myself to get extra steps each day. I also love these bets because I lace up my sneakers, pop in my earbuds, and enjoy this glorious Spring weather!

08: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

Last year, I joined Michael Matera on his #OneMonthGoals journey. I ran every single day for a month – and it was glorious. This year, I am committed to selecting (and sticking with) one new goal each month, which I will document here.

January 2021: Day 31 of my Run Streak! {Done!}
February 2021: Track my meals on Lose It App {28/28}
March 2021: Select and maintain a proper skin care routine! {31/31}
April 2021: Collagen Repair {9/9} + Coach to 5K! {30/30}
May 2021: Personal Development {9/9}

For May, I have decided to invest in my personal growth every day for 30 minutes.

09: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 78/52: Done!}

10: Maintain a weekly blog {16/52}

I missed a couple of weeks – but, I’m back!

11: Simplify my life

As the academic year winds to a close, I continue to work to do ALL of my work at work and enjoy my house (and the people in it) in the evenings. I’m getting better and better at this!

12: Organize my mother’s photographs {425 scanned}

I scanned and organized about 100 photographs this week. I was able to eliminate one more large envelope of memorabilia. It was so fun to find my mother’s Prom memorabilia – especially since she went to the Prom with my Dad!

Secret Goals! 

• Secret Goal #1: This one is about 1/3 complete! Stay tuned!
• Secret Goal #2: Parts of this one were assembled this week…
• Secret Goal #3: I have sketched out a paper/pencil plan for this…
• Secret Goal #4: I might just switch this one…

How are your goals going?

Cheers, Holly

“We are in the habit of imagining our lives to be linear, a long march from birth to death in which we mass our powers, only to surrender them again, all the while slowly losing our youthful beauty. This is a brutal untruth. Life meanders like a path through the woods. We have seasons when we flourish and seasons when the leaves fall from us, revealing our bare bones. Given time, they grow again.”

Source: Wintering

This quote stuck out to me this week as I feel like the last three years of my life have been a meandering journey. Through this, there have been seasons of flourish – birthdays, graduations, projects to completion, new jobs, and professional wins. And, there have been seasons when the leaves fall from us, revealing our bare bones – a cancer diagnosis, the loss of a parent, empty nest, CV19 as an educator.

Through it all, those leaves grow again. And, today, I am thankful for the promise of regrowth.

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night {Status: 100/105}

Despite returning to work, I was able to maintain my sleep habits. It makes such a difference in my daily productivity and ability to handle life’s curveballs.

02: Learn Calligraphy

That new course is still sitting in my inbox!

03: Purge 1000 items {Status: 536/1000}

I am continuing to purge my email subscriptions, and I cleaned out my drawer of workout gear. Although I purged 20 items, I realized – sadly – that I need to shop for a few replacement items!

04: Organize the Attic 

No progress in this area this week.

05: Read 100 Books, including ALL of the DBC books. {Status: 18/100}

While I read a lot this week, I didn’t finish ANYthing. Maybe I’m due for a flood of finishes soon? Maybe?

In Progress
(1) Radical Candor | Scott {Professional Growth}
(2) Culturally Responsive School Leadership | Khalifa {Professional Growth}
(3) Hacking Questions {Professional Growth}
(4) The Ethics of Leadership | Ciulla {Professional Growth}
(5) Coaching for Equity | Aguilar {Book Study, Professional Growth}

Complete:
Pleasure Reading: 18 books.

06: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 08/52}

Southern Green Beans. One word: Amazing. I’m just a meh fan of green beans, probably a result of HOURS of snapping them on the back porch with my Grandmother. But, this recipe has changed my mind FOREVER. Thank you to my neighbor for sharing this dish and the recipe!

07: Get in Shape

Here are some specific action steps that I took this week:

Spring challenge continues this week. I’m enjoying a 35 day streak!

For another week, I closed the Activity Ring every. single. day. There is something quite satisfying about these silly little rings!

I also earned the April Badge for this month!

I joined a StepBet to push myself to get extra steps each day. I also love these bets because I lace up my sneakers, pop in my earbuds, and enjoy this glorious Spring weather!

08: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

Last year, I joined Michael Matera on his #OneMonthGoals journey. I ran every single day for a month – and it was glorious. This year, I am committed to selecting (and sticking with) one new goal each month, which I will document here.

January 2021: Day 31 of my Run Streak! {Done!}
February 2021: Track my meals on Lose It App {28/28}
March 2021: Select and maintain a proper skin care routine! {31/31}
April 2021: Collagen Repair {9/9} + Coach to 5K! {Week 2}
**I’m adding collagen repair to my regimen! Before & After pics might happen!

While I LOVE the C25K program, the app on my phone and the app on my phone were NOT playing nicely with each other – even after upgrading to a $5/month premium service. So, I ditched it. I’ll figure out this training thing another way.

09: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 78/52: Done!}

10: Maintain a weekly blog {15/52}

Here I am!

11: Simplify my life

Spring brings so many of my neighborly friends back to town. My nextdoor neighbor is the hostess with the mostest – and, she entertains better than anyone I know. She invited M & me to dinner for a delicious evening of Prime Rib, potatoes, southern green beans, homemade french vanilla ice cream and carrot cake cookies. So delicious! And, the most wonderful company during a lovely evening. Simplify means slowing down and saying YES to life.

12: Organize my mother’s photographs {348 scanned}

I scanned and organized 92 photographs this week. I was able to eliminate two large envelopes of memorabilia. It was fun to revisit my elementary school report cards – but, I will toss my Fitness Test reports. I don’t need that level of negativity in my life. Haha!

Secret Goals! 

• Secret Goal #1: This one is starting to take shape…
• Secret Goal #2: Parts of this one were assembled this week…
• Secret Goal #3: I have sketched out a paper/pencil plan for this…
• Secret Goal #4: I might just switch this one…

How are your goals going?

Cheers, Holly

What a gloriously busy – but not busy – week. Spring Break has given me the perfect taste of what summer can look like. 10 weeks until vacation.

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night {Status: 93/98}

Spring Break was excellent for my sleep habits this week!

02: Learn Calligraphy

I’m making progress in this area. I followed several social media accounts that highlight calligraphy, and I attended one introduction class on how to get started. The class was so awesome that I signed up for a ten week course. My supplies are in my Amazon cart – and I’m so excited to get started!

03: Purge 1000 items {Status: 515/1000}

I purged several items from the downstairs storage room. Not a huge amount of progress, but every little bit helps! I’m over halfway done with this goal!

04: Organize the Attic 

No progress in this area this week. It was entirely too pretty to spend the week in the attic!

05: Read 100 Books, including ALL of the DBC books. {Status: 18/100}

Lots of short professional reads this week…

In Progress
(1) Radical Candor | Scott {Professional Growth}
(2) Culturally Responsive School Leadership | Khalifa {Professional Growth}
(3) Hacking Questions {Professional Growth}
(4) The Ethics of Leadership | Ciulla {Professional Growth}
(5) Coaching for Equity | Aguilar {Book Study, Professional Growth}

Complete:
Pleasure Reading: 18 books.

06: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 07/52}

No new dishes this week – but, I did spend the week taste-testing a bunch of new beverages! Have you tried any of these?

07: Get in Shape

Here are some specific action steps that I took this week:

Spring challenge continues this week. I’m enjoying a 27 day streak!

I even earned a cute Spring Break badge and landed on the leader board!

I also hit the 100 km milestone this week!

For another week, I closed the Activity Ring *almost* every. single. day. There is something quite satisfying about these silly little rings! The one day that I missed the movement ring was the day that I spent HOURS painting… so, despite moving all day long, my heart rate did not elevate enough! haha!

I joined a StepBet to push myself to get extra steps each day. I also love these bets because I lace up my sneakers, pop in my earbuds, and enjoy this glorious Spring weather!

08: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

Last year, I joined Michael Matera on his #OneMonthGoals journey. I ran every single day for a month – and it was glorious. This year, I am committed to selecting (and sticking with) one new goal each month, which I will document here.

January 2021: Day 31 of my Run Streak! {Done!}
February 2021: Track my meals on Lose It App {28/28}
March 2021: Select and maintain a proper skin care routine! {31/31}
April 2021: Collagen Repair {2/2} + Coach to 5K! {Week 1}
**I’m adding collagen repair to my regimen! Before & After pics might happen!

I am in C2kK Week 1… and, I’m already seeing improvement!

09: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 78/52: Done!}

10: Maintain a weekly blog {14/52}

Here I am!

11: Simplify my life

I spent much of this week helping my Dad stain the deck on his beach house. While this might not feel like simplifying anything, it was nice to sit and stain while enjoying casual conversation with my Dad. I didn’t finish – but, that’s ok.

12: Organize my mother’s photographs

I scanned and organized 255 photographs this week. This meant that I also eliminated 6 boxes from my room, too! Win-Win!

Secret Goals! 

• Secret Goal #1: This one is starting to take shape…
• Secret Goal #2: Parts of this one were assembled this week…
• Secret Goal #3: I have sketched out a paper/pencil plan for this…
• Secret Goal #4: I might just switch this one…

How are your goals going?

Cheers, Holly

Favorite quote from this week:

Author Grace Bonney on how to get better at saying no:

“The biggest fear most of us have with learning to say no is that we will miss an opportunity. An opportunity that would have catapulted us to success, or that will never come again. And most of the time, that simply isn’t true.
​
I’ve found that the first part of learning to say no is learning to accept that offers and opportunities are merely an indication that you’re on the right path—not that you’ve arrived at a final destination you can never find again.
​
If someone is choosing you, it means you’re doing something right. And that is the biggest opportunity you can receive—the chance to recognize that your hard work is paying off. And if you continue to do good work, those opportunities will continue—and improve—over time.”

Source: Saying “No”

Side note: Spring Break has never looked better than it does right now.

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night {Status: 86/91}

Lots of great sleep this week!

02: Learn Calligraphy

Spring break is here… is it time for this adventure?

03: Purge 1000 items {Status: 499/1000}

This week, I took a few hours to tackle some of the smaller storage areas of my house, and I purged so many things! For example, my pantry is 88 items lighter!

04: Organize the Attic 

No progress in this area this week.

05: Read 100 Books, including ALL of the DBC books. {Status: 17/100}

Lots of short professional reads this week…

In Progress
(1) Radical Candor | Scott {Professional Growth}
(2) Culturally Responsive School Leadership | Khalifa {Professional Growth}
(3) Hacking Questions {Professional Growth}
(4) The Ethics of Leadership | Ciulla {Professional Growth}
(5) Coaching for Equity | Aguilar {Book Study, Professional Growth}

Complete:
Pleasure Reading: 17 books.

06: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 07/52}

Here is a picture of the awesome salmon dinner last week:

07: Get in Shape

Here are some specific action steps that I took this week:

Spring challenge continues this week.

I even earned a cute Bunny Badge + landed on the leader board!

For another week, I closed the Activity Ring every. single. day. There is something quite satisfying about these silly little rings!

And, I do love earning surprise badges! Admittedly, this one was tougher to do that I thought it would be: 5 days at 200% MOVE goal!

08: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

Last year, I joined Michael Matera on his #OneMonthGoals journey. I ran every single day for a month – and it was glorious. This year, I am committed to selecting (and sticking with) one new goal each month, which I will document here.

January 2021: Day 31 of my Run Streak! {Done!}
February 2021: Track my meals on Lose It App {28/28}
March 2021: Select and maintain a proper skin care routine! {31/31}
April 2021: Collagen Repair + Coach to 5K! {3/3}
**I’m adding collagen repair to my regimen! Before & After pics might happen!

09: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 78/52: Done!}

10: Maintain a weekly blog {13/52}

Here I am!

11: Simplify my life

The temperatures are warming up, so that means time outside. I love spending time outside – and trying new craft beer!

And, local eateries are opening up, too!

12: Organize my mother’s photographs

Still sitting there… still laughing at me.

Secret Goals! 

• Secret Goal #1: This one is starting to take shape…
• Secret Goal #2: Parts of this one were assembled this week…
• Secret Goal #3: I have sketched out a paper/pencil plan for this…
• Secret Goal #4: I might just switch this one…

How are your goals going?

Cheers, Holly

In her novel, The Painted Drum, writer Louise Erdrich discusses taking risks:

“Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and being alone won’t either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You have to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes too near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself that you tasted as many as you could.”

Source: The Painted Drum

In the past two weeks, life has tried to break me. Juggling two girls in college (Covid), a husband in educational leadership (covid), and my educational schedule — which, is facing the 7th schedule in 12 months — has placed me in a spot where I want to jump on a plane and fly south for longer than a winter. I remain thankful for this space, as revisiting my 2012 goals helps ground me while returning my compass needle.

Side note: I’m still excited about Spring Break. That never changes.

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night {Status: 79/84}

One small family emergency ended in a sleepness night with a subsequent day of naps.

02: Learn Calligraphy

Software still sitting there. I did complete a bit of research by following social media channels of other calligraphers. Does that count?

03: Purge 1000 items {Status: 405/1000}

Spring weather makes me want to purge, but I do not have time to tear out a closet yet. So, I purged my social media feed and a few other items. I’ve decided that if I do not learn from you or if you do not bring joy into my life, then you cannot clutter my digital space.

04: Organize the Attic 

No progress in this area this week.

05: Read 100 Books, including ALL of the DBC books. {Status: 16/100}

Lots of short professional reads this week…

In Progress
(1) Radical Candor | Scott {Professional Growth}
(2) Culturally Responsive School Leadership | Khalifa {Professional Growth}
(3) Hacking Questions {Professional Growth}
(4) The Ethics of Leadership | Ciulla {Professional Growth}
(5) Coaching for Equity | Aguilar {Book Study, Professional Growth}

Complete:
Pleasure Reading: 16 books.

06: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 06/52}

Still stuck on this one, but I do have fresh salmon ready to cook tonight.

07: Get in Shape

Here are some specific action steps that I took this week:

Spring challenge begins this week.

For another week, I closed the Activity Ring every. single. day. There is something quite satisfying about these silly little rings!

And, I do love earning surprise badges!

08: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

Last year, I joined Michael Matera on his #OneMonthGoals journey. I ran every single day for a month – and it was glorious. This year, I am committed to selecting (and sticking with) one new goal each month, which I will document here.

January 2021: Day 31 of my Run Streak! {Done!}
February 2021: Track my meals on Lose It App {28/28}
March 2021: Select and maintain a proper skin care routine! {28/28}
**I’m adding collagen repair to my regimen! Before & After pics might happen!

09: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 78/52: Done!}

10: Maintain a weekly blog {12/52}

Here I am!

11: Simplify my life

Lots of progress in this area this week… clearing space, clearing emotional clutter, minimizing connections of social media. I already feel lighter.

12: Organize my mother’s photographs

Still sitting there… still laughing at me.

Secret Goals! 

• Secret Goal #1: This one is starting to take shape…
• Secret Goal #2: Parts of this one were assembled this week…
• Secret Goal #3: I have sketched out a paper/pencil plan for this…
• Secret Goal #4: I might just switch this one…

How are your goals going?

Cheers, Holly

This week was filled with so much emotion. Monday brought my oldest daughter’s birthday and surgery. Yes, she scheduled her surgery for her birthday. Who does that? While the surgery was tough, it was quick and exactly what the surgeon expected. No surprises and she will recover with a full range of motion within 8-12 weeks. Surgery meant that she headed home to take courses from a distance for the week… I guess that the ability to flip to virtual on a dime is one silver lining of CV19?

The remainder of the week brought the end of the regular season for Lacrosse – and my youngest daughter’s team ended the regular season undefeated. It’s incredible to think that this team just started five years ago — going two seasons without a win (losing by 10-15 goals each game). In Year 3, the girls won their first game…and just had a shot at post-conference play, missing it by a hair. Year 4 was a Silent Spring, ending before the girls even got a home game to play. CV19 ended my oldest daughter’s Lacrosse career without a home game or a senior night. Year 5 feels like redemption for the lost season last year. In fact, nearly every graduate returned to see this year’s team wrap up an undefeated season. Seeing those graduates cheer on their younger teammates, recognizing that this team stands on the foundation that they built, brought tears to my eyes.

The weekend brought the anniversary of CV19 school closures. Such a strange feeling.

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night {Status: 66/70}

Emotionally preparing for my daughter’s surgery resulted in one very sleepless night.

02: Learn Calligraphy

I think that I successfully downloaded the software to my iPad this week!

03: Purge 1000 items {Status: 363/1000}

Still pruning my email lists. 8 more have been deleted!

And, I said goodbye to a basket and a toiletry bag.

04: Organize the Attic 

No progress in this area this week.

05: Read 100 Books, including ALL of the DBC books. {Status: 14/100}

Lots of short professional reads this week…

In Progress
(1) Radical Candor | Scott {Professional Growth}
(2) Culturally Responsive School Leadership | Khalifa {Professional Growth}
(3) Hacking Questions {Professional Growth}
(4) The Ethics of Leadership | Ciulla {Professional Growth}

Complete:
Pleasure Reading: 14 books.

06: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 06/52}

Birthdays + Surgery + Lacrosse games = Lots of quick meals.

07: Get in Shape

Here are some specific action steps that I took this week:

Spring challenge begins this week.

But, not before earning this little gem!

For another week, I closed the Activity Ring every. single. day. There is something quite satisfying about these silly little rings!

And, I do love earning surprise badges!

08: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

Last year, I joined Michael Matera on his #OneMonthGoals journey. I ran every single day for a month – and it was glorious. This year, I am committed to selecting (and sticking with) one new goal each month, which I will document here.

January 2021: Day 31 of my Run Streak! {Done!}
February 2021: Track my meals on Lose It App {28/28}
March 2021: Select and maintain a proper skin care routine! {14/14}

09: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 78/52: Done!}

10: Maintain a weekly blog {9/52}

Here I am!

11: Simplify my life

The sun is shining, and the weather is warming up. Time to simplify!

I’m open to other ideas on how to simplify my life… send them my way.

12: Organize my mother’s photographs

Still sitting there… still laughing at me.

Secret Goals! 

• Secret Goal #1: This one is starting to take shape…
• Secret Goal #2: Parts of this one were assembled this week…
• Secret Goal #3: I have sketched out a paper/pencil plan for this…
• Secret Goal #4: I might just switch this one…

How are your goals going?

Cheers, Holly

What a week… and, by Friday night at 8 PM, I was settled in with a good book. Why? This week, I fixed 30+ Chromebooks, installed 25 wireless speakers (twice, long story), replaced two projectors, reinstalled five telephones (and two new telephones), taught classes face-to-face, virtually, and concurrently, and led four webinars at the state technology conference. This does not include the three lacrosse games (two were 3+hours away), the appointments because the HVAC is out, time spent replacing the TV, and prepping for my daughter’s surgery on Monday. This girl needs a vacation. For sure.

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night {Status: 60/63}

Lots of work and not enough hours in the day cut me short one night. I caught up this weekend. The more consistently that I earn ample sleep, the more that I recognize it is a huge factor in my mood, productivity, and energy.

02: Learn Calligraphy

I have spend a large part of this week getting large tasks done, and getting ahead on some larger assignments. Calligraphy is getting closer and closer!

03: Purge 1000 items {Status: 353/1000}

Still pruning my email lists. 5 more have been deleted! My email inbox is so empty lately. It’s delightful!

And, a Christmas bowl and random sweatshirt left the house, too!

04: Organize the Attic 

No progress in this area this week.

05: Read 100 Books, including ALL of the DBC books. {Status: 13/100}

I was forced to step away from pleasure reading this week to prepare to teach classes. The current pleasure read is very long with excellent character development. I’m savoring every page!

In Progress
(1) Radical Candor | Scott {Professional Growth}
(2) Culturally Responsive School Leadership | Khalifa {Professional Growth}
(3) Hacking Questions {Professional Growth}
(4) The Ethics of Leadership | Ciulla {Professional Growth}

Complete:
Pleasure Reading: 13 books.

06: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 06/52}

The husband created a Southwestern Chicken Soup. It was spicy… but the jury is still out about whether we will add this to the menu rotation.

07: Get in Shape

Here are some specific action steps that I took this week:

I *completed* the Running Challenge {Run for America, 1/1/21 – 3/14/21}
And, I signed up for the Spring Challenge! Bring on sunny weather and outside runs!

For another week, I closed the Activity Ring every. single. day. There is something quite satisfying about these silly little rings!

08: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

Last year, I joined Michael Matera on his #OneMonthGoals journey. I ran every single day for a month – and it was glorious. This year, I am committed to selecting (and sticking with) one new goal each month, which I will document here.

January 2021: Day 31 of my Run Streak! {Done!}
February 2021: Track my meals on Lose It App {28/28}
March 2021: Select and maintain a proper skin care routine! {7/7}

09: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 78/52: Done!}

10: Maintain a weekly blog {9/52}

Here I am!

11: Simplify my life

I moved five huge tasks off of my plate this week. I am beginning to see spaces for simply enjoy life.

I’m open to other ideas on how to simplify my life… send them my way.

12: Organize my mother’s photographs

Still sitting there… still laughing at me.

Secret Goals! 

• Secret Goal #1: This one is starting to take shape…
• Secret Goal #2: Parts of this one were assembled this week…
• Secret Goal #3: I have sketched out a paper/pencil plan for this…
• Secret Goal #4: I might just switch this one…

How are your goals going?

Cheers, Holly

Wowsers. What a week! Each day was busier that the one before as teachers wrapped their heads around synchronous teaching (hybrid + virtual), learned new software and hardware, and dusted off their classrooms which had not been touched since early November. The transition to the beginning of the school year is a mix of sleepless nights and butterflies of excitment – and, this is the 5th time that we’ve faced a Beginning of the Year this year.

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night {Status: 54/56}

On more than one occasion, I chose sleep over work.

02: Learn Calligraphy

I’m hoping to start this goal in April!

03: Purge 1000 items {Status: 348/1000}

Still pruning my email lists. 10 more have been deleted!

04: Organize the Attic 

I did organize some collector coins this week. That’s progress, right?

05: Read 100 Books, including ALL of the DBC books. {Status: 13/100}

Two more fun books done! I’m ready for summer when I devour 5-6 books each week!

In Progress
(1) Radical Candor | Scott {Professional Growth}
(2) Culturally Responsive School Leadership | Khalifa {Professional Growth}
(3) Hacking Questions {Professional Growth}
(4) The Ethics of Leadership | Ciulla {Professional Growth}

Complete:
Pleasure Reading: 13 books.

06: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 05/52}

Nothing new this week… I guess I need to start planning meals ahead.

07: Get in Shape

Here are some specific action steps that I took this week:

I continued the Running Challenge {Run for America, 1/1/21 – 3/14/21}
I jumped back on the treadmill this week. Although it has been raining, sleeting, or terribly cold all week, I finally made a decision to lace up my sneakers and start pounding the pavement (er, treadmill) again!

One of my most favorite things about this platform is the regular events to earn badges… I earned a Mardi Gras badge and finished 2nd in my age group (for my gender + state). Not too shabby considering that I walked it!

For another week, I closed the Activity Ring every. single. day. Some days, I closed them twice. Yoga for the WIN! And, I earned this cute little limited edition badge for February!

08: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

Last year, I joined Michael Matera on his #OneMonthGoals journey. I ran every single day for a month – and it was glorious. This year, I am committed to selecting (and sticking with) one new goal each month, which I will document here.

January 2021: Day 31 of my Run Streak! {Done!}
February 2021: Track my meals on Lose It App {28/28}

09: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 78/52: Done!}

This past week, I wrote 72 notecards to my students who are returning to school on March 1.

10: Maintain a weekly blog {8/52}

Here I am!

11: Simplify my life

Lots of time sensitive things on my plate this week, and I will be happy when I can check these off of the list. I still stole back Friday night and all day Saturday for valuable family time!

I’m open to other ideas on how to simplify my life… send them my way.

12: Organize my mother’s photographs

Still sitting there… still laughing at me.

Secret Goals! 

• Secret Goal #1: This one is starting to take shape…
• Secret Goal #2: Parts of this one were assembled this week…
• Secret Goal #3: I have sketched out a paper/pencil plan for this…
• Secret Goal #4: I might just switch this one…

How are your goals going?

Cheers, Holly

It’s interesting how much mental capacity is required to make decisions. As inch closer to returning to Face to Face learning, we are spinning a lot of plates… so this week was filled with meetings, creating frameworks, writing scripts for communication with parents, students, and teachers, drafting schedules… it’s like the beginning of the school year all over again. Except, this is the 5th time this year. When I tell you that building leaders and teachers are tired, I mean that we are tired. This summer break is going to be well earned…I might lock my laptop and phone away for an entire month to cleanse!

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night {Status: 47/49}

Stress + cold weather + heated blankets = zzzzzzz!

02: Learn Calligraphy

So. many. deadlines. No calligraphy fun this week.

03: Purge 1000 items {Status: 338/1000}

Still pruning my email lists. 8 more have been deleted! Oh, and I tossed 11 greeting cards and two electronics boxes that were taking up space on my desk!

04: Organize the Attic 

Luggage, holiday lights, and three pieces of random furniture went back up into the attic. Thanks to recent organization efforts, I now had a spot to put them!

05: Read 100 Books, including ALL of the DBC books. {Status: 11/100}

Definitely need to pick up the pace on this goal! Lots of reading for professional growth, only I have not finished anything yet!

In Progress
(1) Radical Candor | Scott {Professional Growth}
(2) Culturally Responsive School Leadership | Khalifa {Professional Growth}
(3) Hacking Questions {Professional Growth}
(4) The Ethics of Leadership | Ciulla {Professional Growth}

Complete:
Pleasure Reading: 11 books.

06: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 05/52}

Nothing new or fancy this week, but there’s lasagna in the fridge!

07: Get in Shape

Here are some specific action steps that I took this week:

I continued the Running Challenge {Run for America, 1/1/21 – 3/14/21}
I jumped back on the treadmill this week. Although it has been raining, sleeting, or terribly cold all week, I finally made a decision to lace up my sneakers and start pounding the pavement (er, treadmill) again!

One of my most favorite things about this platform is the regular events to earn badges… I earned a Mardi Gras badge and finished 2nd in my age group (for my gender + state). Not too shabby considering that I walked it!

For another week, I closed the Activity Ring every. single. day. Some days, I closed them twice. Yoga for the WIN!

And – my time on the treadmill opens an opportunity to fill my brain with goodness. Lately, I’m listening to this awesome Podcast about Body Image! It’s so amazing. Check it out!

08: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

Last year, I joined Michael Matera on his #OneMonthGoals journey. I ran every single day for a month – and it was glorious. This year, I am committed to selecting (and sticking with) one new goal each month, which I will document here.

January 2021: Day 31 of my Run Streak! {Done!}
February 2021: Track my meals on Lose It App {21/21}

09: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 6/52}

Major update happening next week!

10: Maintain a weekly blog {7/52}

Here I am!

11: Simplify my life

This week, I wrapped up three professional learning opportunities that have consumed many hours. I have replaced them with the development of professional learning classes that I am leading later next month. Remind me… when is summer break? This girl needs a vacay!

I’m open to other ideas on how to simplify my life… send them my way.

12: Organize my mother’s photographs

Still sitting there… still laughing at me.

Secret Goals! 

• Secret Goal #1: This one is starting to take shape…
• Secret Goal #2: Parts of this one were assembled this week…
• Secret Goal #3: I have sketched out a paper/pencil plan for this…
• Secret Goal #4: I might just switch this one…

How are your goals going?

Cheers, Holly

This was a tough week. With the unknowns surrounding the Return to School, three athletic seasons that are in full swing yet heavily impacted by CV19, and juggling many, many things on my plate, my goals took the backburner.

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night {Status: 40/42}

When I’m stressed, I sleep. So, this was an easy goal this week!

02: Learn Calligraphy

5 athletic games + grad classes + life… no calligraphy this week.

03: Purge 1000 items {Status: 317/1000}

Still pruning my email lists. 16 more have been deleted! Oh, and I gifted a sweater and a skirt to my donation pile!

04: Organize the Attic 

Grabbed luggage and gift bags from the attic, but did not store or organize anything up there. It’s way too chilly for this goal right now.

05: Read 100 Books, including ALL of the DBC books. {Status: 09/100}

Definitely need to pick up the pace on this goal! Lots of reading for professional growth, only I have not finished anything yet!

In Progress
(1) Radical Candor | Scott {Professional Growth}
(2) Culturally Responsive School Leadership | Khalifa {Professional Growth}
(3) Hacking Questions {Professional Growth}
(4) The Ethics of Leadership | Ciulla {Professional Growth}

Complete:
Pleasure Reading: 9 books.

06: Try 52 New Recipes {Status: 05/52}

Mango Habernero Wings for Superbowl – yummy and within my nutritional framework!

07: Get in Shape

Here are some specific action steps that I took this week:

I continued the Running Challenge {Run for America, 1/1/21 – 3/14/21}
I barely logged any miles this week. It has either been raining, sleeting, or terribly cold all week, and my bones struggled to get moving. That’s ok. I still have a month to finish.

For another week, I closed the Activity Ring every. single. day. Some days, I closed them twice. Yoga for the WIN!

08: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

Last year, I joined Michael Matera on his #OneMonthGoals journey. I ran every single day for a month – and it was glorious. This year, I am committed to selecting (and sticking with) one new goal each month, which I will document here.

January 2021: Day 31 of my Run Streak! {Done!}
February 2021: Track my meals on Lose It App {14/14}

09: Write/Send 52 notes/cards {Status: 6/52}

Maybe I’ll settle in and what a movie so I can get this done!

10: Maintain a weekly blog {6/52}

Here I am!

11: Simplify my life

I learned that, as I just THINK about a schedule change, my mind gets overwhelmed with what this will look like and how I will maintain the healthy habits that I have started. I really need to work on this. Now.

I’m open to other ideas on how to simplify my life… send them my way.

12: Organize my mother’s photographs

Still sitting there… laughing at me.

Secret Goals! 

• Secret Goal #1: This one is starting to take shape…
• Secret Goal #2: Parts of this one were assembled this week…
• Secret Goal #3: I have sketched out a paper/pencil plan for this…
• Secret Goal #4: I might just switch this one…

How are your goals going?

Cheers, Holly