One activity I get a kick out of doing is taking quizzes on Facebook. Last week, I took the “What is your word for 2016?” quiz. My word of inspiration for 2016 is INNOVATION. Innovation is the action or process of innovating or changing. According to the author of this quiz, I will find inner peace and harmony this year. Therefore, I have decided that my theme for this new year will revolve around INNOVATION (change, transformation, creativity, breakthrough). At this point, all I have is a theme; no real action plan, but some ideas which I hope will blossom as the year progresses. I have been down this path of change before when I took my hiatus from teaching a few years ago, and that journey was bliss; yet, it was short-lived because as soon as I started teaching again, I began neglecting my personal life and started back down that old path to burn out from working too many hours, feeling overwhelmed, and not practicing self-care.
One of my first steps towards innovation is signing up for The Busy Boycott on “Be More with Less” (http://bemorewithless.com/). It is basically a free challenge to try and become less busy. Each week Courtney Carver will send out a Challenge Action for the week. The first challenge action: stop talking about it. I am extremely guilty of telling everyone how busy I am when asked how I am doing. I also have to contemplate what I am compromising for the sake of busyness.
My second step towards innovation is financial. I have signed up for a free on-line workshop with Smart Cookies (http://smartcookies.com/) called “Crush Your Money Goal in 2016.” The webinar is Tuesday, 05 January. If you are interested, there is still time to sign up. There is a morning and an evening session. In addition to the financial advice workshop, I am participating in another “52-Week Money Challenge” to save money for a new treadmill. Two years ago, I saved money for our family trip to Universal using this method of saving.
My third step towards innovation is reading The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have by Mark Nepo. I absolutely enjoy reading devotional books. They provide a daily dose of inspiration. This particular book offers brief passages each day with ideas for meditation and contemplation. I have already had an aha moment, and it is only 03 January.
I hope, dearest reader, that you have thought some about what will inspire you to action this year. I am taking baby steps by first feeding the soul. Then, I will venture down the path of change a little more. Happiness!
“Innovation is not the result of chance, it’s the result of action. It’s NOT a thing to wait for. It’s a thing to do.” ~ Phil McKinney
The Kat Files 
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