Thoughts By Jen

As I begin my 2013 — I think of 2012, things I did well, things I did not so well — failures and successes, things that made me laugh, things that made me cry, etc etc……

and decided that for 2013, I am not going to make resolutions, but I will make some promises.

#1.  I promise that……..
I will not give more credence to a keynote speaker than a regular session leader at a conference.
In the past, I have shared out about keynote speakers as authorities — those who are getting $1000, $3000, $5000 + for giving a session (which they memorize and then repeat over and over again) …. and neglect to talk about the speaker who perhaps had to miss a day of work (without pay) and each time he/she presents takes time to create a brand new presentation.
In 2013, I am going to spend much more time supporting the names you just might not know….yet.

#2.  I promise that……
I will not create a list of the “BEST” of anything!!
But what I can to continually share what is good….and working well.
In education — there is no best….otherwise, our journey would be complete….and, smiles, I hope my journey is far from complete….and also hope for those I work with, and the students they work with…that they are still on a road of learning.

#3.  I promise that……
Projects By Jen will host at least one “humanitarian” project a year.   (ie:  all participants will come together with a common goal to help another)……not so that Projects By Jen gets noticed…..but so we do much more than stack cookies, count seeds, or send holiday cards!

#4.  I promise that…….
I will learn something new……right now, it seems how to use audacity and pamela for the podcast…..but there will need to be something else…..what that is right now, I do not know….
But I will be a learner….and then I will share what I know.

#5.  I promise that…..
My faith will be a stronger voice than my tech voice.
I am a Christian first….I am an educator second.   I need to remember that.
I need to be bolder in speaking this!

#6.  I promise that…..
The Jen you meet at a conference will be the same Jen you meet online.  A little weird, an introvert that covers it with extroversity, happy, content, & ready to encourage and help.  I will do better at not crawling into my corner of comfort and watching from afar.

#7.  I promise that…..
I shall blog more…..with more purpose.
In the next week or so, I plan to purchase a book and as I read through it, I will share my thoughts with you.

#8.   I promise that…..
I will do much better at giving credit where credit is due.
Whether it is a quote in my newsletter or an image on my blog/website/pinterest — etc.  I shall remember to cite my sources.   And….I shall also encourage others to do thesame.

#9.  I promise that……
I will laugh more and worry less.
I will love more and criticize less.
I will walk more and watch TV less.
I will sing more, skip more, spin & twirl more, and smile smile smile more!!

#10.  I promise that…….
I will take more chances.
I will say the things I am timid to say.
I will conquer some fears which paralyze me.
I will open some doors that I have personally locked.

Promises, not resolutions –
This is my goal, my hope….
My plan.

Jen