What percent of people achieve the goals they set for themselves at New Year's? This post suggests it is only 8%. So it's not too surprising to realize I've often been a part of the 92% who don't seem to succeed when it comes to New Year's Resolutions. (More interesting statistics HERE.)
The Forbes article suggests that people have trouble following through because the goals people set are often many and vague. Therefore, setting smaller goals which are tangible lead to seeing one's goals to fruition.
In my new role as the Digital Learning Coach, I need to be thinking about the types of goals I am setting for myself and my colleagues. Positively impacting student learning needs to be at the forefront of all my objectives.
The article above also suggest that stating goals publicly also increases the likelihood of succeeding. So, here are my goals:
- Write a blog post at least once a month reflecting on what's working in my role as DLC and what might not be working.
- Student Impact: ability to reflect on lessons & make changes that will affect student learning
- Ask at least 2 questions when working with teachers (using these 15 questions as a guide from TeachThought - they can still apply even though they are meant for students)
- Student Impact: These questions will focus around student learning.
- Create & teach at least 2 new Digital Citizenship lessons
- Student Impact:
- Find at least 2 "coaching" blogs to read & follow
- Student Impact: learning new ways to help teachers connect technology to content will aid students in their learning.

What goals will you set for yourself (or have set for yourself already)? Please share one of your goals with me (as making them public increases the likelihood of succeeding!)
Wishing you a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year!

Great Post! I look forward to more. I'm not actually setting goals this year, I'm going the route of @getoneword and the word I chose is "prioritize" Hopefully it will lead me down the right roads in everything I do.
ReplyDeleteHi Mrs. Eickmann - I think when you "prioritize" you are setting goals on a daily basis. I've read articles recently that provided some insight into daily routines. One tool is something that President Eisenhower used called The Eisenhower Productivity Matrix - maybe this will help you in your quest to prioritize this year! https://ukedchat.com/2017/12/28/eisenhower-productivity-matrix/
DeleteThank you for taking the time to comment!
Love these goals, Nancy! They are acheivable and will have great impact throughout the year. I encourage you to find a place to follow up with yourself - set a reminder/date on your calendar in the future (or set up a mnthly recurring date), put a note in your phone, write your goals and post them in a visible place, write a monthly blog post on your progress... Good luck and all the best in 2018!
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
DeleteThank you for these great tips! In the article I read one of the reasons people don't achieve their goals is because they don't follow through. Using a reminder system of some sort will help combat that. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts!
Going to put some reminders on my calendar right now!
The 8% doesn’t surprise me - I think the problem with New Years goals is that people make lofty goals once a year. A goal worth making can be made any time of the year and not just on Jan 1.
ReplyDeleteYour goals sound great. Inspiring me to write mine, too.
Hi Laura,
DeleteI like: A Goal worth making can be made any time of the year! For me, a New Year's goal is just a way to refocus my energy, get me thinking. Of course there will be other goals along the way and then my goals may change as some become complete.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts! Happy New Year!
I have two educator goals for this year: 1) find time in between grad school and teaching to become a Google Certified Educator Level 1 and 2) become more confident with social media by sharing more information with my school library stakeholders:
ReplyDeletestudents - blog 2 times a month,
teachers - create research tutorials 1 per month,
administrators - quarterly infographic on library usage and
parents - monthly blog post on digital citizenship and reading.
Wow Anne - You certainly have wonderful goals! Wishing you all the best in attaining them. Your goals will certainly impact student learning! Thank you for sharing!
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