This year I have been struggling with the idea of how to be great at everything I do. I first thought it wasn't possible. In reality I knew that there had to be a way, I just needed to find it. Maybe reading The Fourteenth Goldfish helped see then possible.
To start, I focused in on being great for my family at home. It has been hard. My wife is working is a job that has proved very challenging and that has been something I am still trying to help with. Our son is 21 months old and spending time with him is a must. As much as I might want to be doing something else, when he plops down on my lap with a book or some Legos I know what needs to be done. Which can be hard when I'm coming home from a long day in the classroom. Or when dinner needs to get on the table and bed time is in 90 minutes.
However in putting my personal life first I have found a balance. I have found ways to be more effective in the use of my time at work by just setting limits. As I take time to reflect at the end of this year, setting limits has gone well in the last few months. I have been able to work on being great for my family and still improving as a teacher. I have also managed to find time to do some fun things just for myself. The keys are setting priorities, limits, and looking for growth towards greatness. I do believe that I can be great at home and at work. It will just be something I am constantly working toward and not necessarily something I will "accomplish". I need to keep on trying though.
