Each year I pick a focus word and see how it shows up in my life and how it guides me forward. This year my word is SHINE and I wrote my first update back in February. Now that we are halfway through this year, I wanted to check back in how SHINE has appeared.

In January, when I introduced my word, I reflected on the following:

• I would like to SHINE in my work.
• I would like to SHINE a light on the good work done by and for others.
• I would like to SHINE as a happy, grounded person.
• I would like to SHINE as a healthy human.

For the last few years, I’ve had a professional goal – my next career aspiration is to become an Assistant Superintendent in the Curriculum area. When I was thinking of where I wanted to SHINE this year, I knew that I wanted to highlight my strengths in preparation for this next professional step. I’m happy to share that last week I was appointed as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for a new-to-me school district. I’m excited about this new opportunity and ready to SHINE in a new role.

One of the best parts of my current job (that I’m about to transition out of) has been the leadership development work I’ve done with our many school and district leaders. I make time to appreciate the work of others and to shine a light on the great work going on around me on behalf of our students. Whenever I visit a classroom, I email the teacher a note of appreciation to honor the work that they do. I’m always looking for ways to highlight the good work being done by colleagues and friends.

This winter and spring has been very busy for me. I don’t know if was grounded and balanced and healthy all of the time, but I was busy with a lot of fun activities that made me happy!  As of the writing of this post, I have taken 8 plane trips in 2019 already, and I spent most of my weekends out and about. While all of these trips were fun, I did stop and reflect on the need for me to build in rest time as well.  After 7 weekends away in the row, I was desperate to have some quiet, alone time in my house on a weekend. Part of what makes me SHINE, is a balance between the fun parts of life and the quiet reflection time. As this year progresses, I’m going to continue to find that balance for myself.

Do you have a word for this year? How has it supported you?