It’s that time of year to measure my progress towards my goals, and I’m very focused on the gap. The gap between what I did and what I wanted to do. What I didn’t accomplish. What I didn’t achieve. For myself. For my family. For my health. For my work.
I picked up a new copy of an old devotion book called Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life by Charles Swindoll. I read it years ago, in my early twenties. I kept hearing about “seasons” and the tough season we’ve all been in the last two years. And, the book came to my mind, and with Amazon, it was just a few quick clicks from my doorstep.
I opened it late in December, and I realized that it begins with Winter, namely December. There’s nothing worse to a Type A person like me than to admit that I was starting late. Or I would have to skip a chapter. But, what if understanding January meant December was required reading. I took a deep breath and just opened it to the first chapter of December and began reading on December 29. That’s a messy start.
But, once again, God’s timing is perfect. He shares a Word with us right on time; it’s how I know that it is from God. Its timeliness. The message was about CONSISTENCY. Being consistent. “CONSISTENCY. A living model of patience, determination, and strength – regardless of shifty, rootless times.” (Swindoll, 1983) The message was about the consistency of Christ, but I was hearing the consistency was how I could grow this year. The scripture referenced spoke directly to many of the habits I knew I needed to establish to meet my goals, to be the person I wanted to be.
So, this year, I’m writing goals, and then I’m writing the habit I need to establish in order to achieve that goal. I’m not going to measure the growth, ONLY the practice. I brush my teeth twice a day. I’ve never thought about what I could do with that time instead. It’s just what I do. I may have to say “no” to a few things to create the time to complete the habits. And my habits will not take more than 30 minutes.
I’m using a Full Focus Planner, and they qualify goals as Achievement Goals or Habit Goals. This year, I’m sticking with Habit Goals and trusting that they will turn into Achievement Goals. But, this year, I’m focusing on the DOING, not the ACHIEVING.
Because that’s where I go wrong in so many ways, I only start something if I have a chunk of time to complete it. I only run if I am training for a race. I only exercise if I have time for cardio and strength training, and some stretching. So, I’m giving myself grace and a timer. I’m only going to aim for short, consistent do-able habits. Moving for 30 minutes every day. Writing for 30 minutes every day. Drinking 80 ounces of water every day. Doing my daily pages in my planner 5/7 days a week. Planning once a week for 30 minutes. Spending time in God’s word every day.
Consistent: acting in the same way.
Constant: happening all the time.
These are my two words for the year. Not one or the other. BOTH AND. Consistent and constant.
www.differencebetween.com says that “Consistent means unchanging whereas constant means unceasing. Consistent describes something that does not vary while constant describes something that does not stop.”
I’m sure that I can apply this in my work as well. I had the conversation so many times this last semester that I sure wished we could write goals for teachers and therapists, in addition to the outcomes that we want for our students. Because, if we believe in evidence-based practices, then using them CONSTANTLY and CONSISTENTLY will result in positive outcomes for our learners. Whether that be for modeling using an AAC device. Or teaching literacy to students with significant disabilities. Or providing routines based instruction during routines that happen every day. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could write IEPs like that?
Consistent application of evidence-based practices in the classroom. Consistent coaching opportunities in the classroom and for families. Constant progress monitoring so we know what’s working and what’s not.
So, that’s it for me. Consistent. Constant.
What are your words for the year?
What are your goals this year?
Swindoll, Charles. 1983, 2007. Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Write SMART goals for yourself (not just your IEPs or treatment plans). Remember: SMART goals are:
S: Specific
M: Measurable
A: Achievable
R: Realistic
T: Timely
Here’s one of mine:
I really want be healthier so I can enjoy my life and my family for a long time. I’m going to measure that by DOING not by stepping on a scale.
I will drink 80 ounces of water in 5 of 7 days for 12 consecutive weeks.
I will move my body 30 minutes a day 7 days a week for 12 consecutive days (no giving in on this one, and I’m going to ask for help from my family to keep me accountable on this one). I’m also going to limit/eliminate social media for the first month of the year and BAM, pretty sure these 30 minutes will just APPEAR in my schedule now.
I also posted a poster-sized yearly calendar on the wall behind my closet door. Each day that I drink water and move my body, I’m going to color in that square on the calendar so that I can get a visual of my progress over the whole year.
You can do the same by just using the same template you use when writing goals for your students/clients.
I will _____________ (goal, habit) in ______________________ (percentage, days, times a day, minutes) for _____________________ (time frame) because ________________________ (insert your WHY). The first step I will take is: ________________________.
What are your goals for the year?