Were You Your Best in 2017?

10 Questions to Critically Reflect On

As 2017 draws to a close, we sense the beginning of new opportunities for growth and improvement on the horizon.   In looking back on the past year,  we   have a choice to reflect on what has worked and what hasn't.   Although reflection  is  a practice that we all need to pay more attention to,   the act of reflecting itself is not enough as   learning  and growth through reflection requires taking action.   

As George Couros says in his latest book, An Innovator's Mindset,   "Teaching is one of the most human professions that there is."    

Better understanding and deepening the relationships that we have in our lives is at the heart and core of what Couros is referring  to in the above statement.  Teaching is deeply personal and developing our relationships with colleagues is just as important as  the need to get to know our students better. Our actions, day in and day out, have a strong impact on the relationships we have  with our colleagues.  I'm not implying that we need to be best friends with every single colleague, but our profession does require us  lift and empower those around us on  a daily basis.    In getting teachers to be their best, they MUST feel valued and supported.  

However, in order for us to be our best,  critical self-reflection provides us with  opportunities to become more self-aware of our own actions and assess to what degree these actions are empowering not only to ourselves but to others in our life as well.  

I took some time to create a list of questions that I wanted to personally reflect on as 2017 draws to a close. In being the leader that I want to be, I have to be able to answer these questions honestly. I need to zero in on areas I need to do a better job at and  not only just reflect, but take action on improving these areas. 

I hope that you find value in these questions and that they spark thought within yourself in regards to whether or not you were your best in 2017 and what areas you need to focus on to be a better version of yourself in 2018.  You can print off a copy of these questions by accessing the PDF link below.

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