I loved seeing this because it shows that they’re watching us. They see the journey and the result. We think we can only teach from a book and not from our hearts. We can do both. I choose to live an authentic life, because any other way would be exhausting. I’m teaching this female student and all my other students that they determine what the future looks like.
Happy Tuesday!
As my students were walking out yesterday, one of them turns and says Mrs. Tolman I really enjoyed today’s lesson. It felt like a lesson from Mr. Feeny from Boy Meets World.
That’s an exceptionally high compliment (to me) because we all learned lessons from him. More importantly I’m blessed that the lesson resonated with them.
Happy Tuesday Ya’ll!
So let’s recap how January has gone and discuss what the intentions for 2019 are.
Small win #1
Fitness wise I am proud to say that I have made it a point to workout at least 4 times a week before heading to work.
Small win #2
Start today journaling has been consistent during the week. If you’re not familiar with this- you list 5 things you are grateful for and 10 dreams you’ve made happen (while they’ve not happened, you write them as if they have).
Small win #3
Only one week so far, but lunch has been packed daily.
Small win #4
Currently on step 2 of 4 towards completing induction to the National Society of Leadership and Success
Small win #5
Made it through January and am currently typing this from my elliptical.
The month was obviously filled with more moments than that, but those were my personal wins. Which is the point of this post- what small wins are you making and acknowledging in your personal life daily? As moms or busy adults it’s easy to overlook the things we’re doing well that we focus on the things that we feel defeated by. You think “well I’m supposed to be doing those things”, maybe but I was never issued a handbook with these kids. So if you packed a lunch or got in the workout- yay you!!!
You are rocking it today and if you miss one day, you have tomorrow or this afternoon. You don’t have to wait until next year. Be intentional daily.
Happy Friday Ya’ll!
Never compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.
When I heard this it was like- yessss!!!
You’ll make your difference in your own way.
But you have to do the work!!!
Behind every woman who’s killing it at work is a ton of heartache, disappointment, and failure. But she used all of this to fuel her her fire. Remember that!!!
So as you start your Wednesday think of everything amazing you’ve done and use that to power through today and every day.
Happy Wednesday Ya’ll!!!
I’m a teacher by trade. I love love love what I do. But we have our side hustle and podcasts which I’m also loving. So as the days are going by I’m listening to all the podcasts and watching the lives on Facebook or IG doing the life coaching or reading books. Every moment is used for growth and gratitude. As I believe it should be. Seeing our shirts on parents on the field or people drinking from our cups-that’s what encourages the late nights. Kids commenting on the podcasts- makes the effort worth it.
Reminder who’s watching. So do what you love so that they can ask how do I stay motivated instead of man I never want to be like that.
Happy Wednesday!
I was taught to work hard and to challenge myself. In other words, I should never stop just because I was done. I should always strive for more. My father taught me that. He was legally blind but he had a thirst for knowledge. I remember him giving himself these projects so that he would be able to research and find out more on any given topic. While I haven’t given myself any projects lately, being a single mom raising three kids is its own project. Professionally and personally though, I strive to work and perform to the best of my ability. After all, the end result is a reflection of the effort that was put forth. And let’s face it everyone’s 100% will always measure up differently.
So what has happened to our youth? There is this need for immediate gratification and praise for minimal work. Granted this is not all kids, but a good part of this generation is accustomed to being praised and rewarded for doing what they’re supposed to. I stopped taking gifts to my oldest during award assemblies after first grade, she did the work and she was being recognized with a certificate or a trophy, that was all she needed. Balloons and flowers are not the norm in our professional adult lives, so why would I start teaching her that at an early age. Yes it sounds harsh but if she got a B and I knew that she’d really put all her effort into that grade would I have to reward her then? After all, are we rewarding effort or the outcome? I recently read an article that highlighted this subject matter. It stated that kids who were praised in spite of results as opposed to those who were praised for effort, would likely not challenge themselves so that they would continue getting praised. Those whose effort was acknowledged were likelier to try and challenge themselves to another level. Are we essentially teaching our kids to not challenge themselves by clapping and praising their minimal effort? And I will be the first to admit that at one point that was me…shouting promises of happy meals and toys, anything really to get the kid to do budge on the soccer field. But she was 4 and now she’s 12. The days of rewarding her for what she is supposed to be doing are long gone. I’ve also revised my approach with my younger kids, I don’t give them quick praises for their work I ask them to explain why they did it. Granted the 5 year olds response to everything is “because it’s my favorite”. So now we follow up with the why is it your favorite? And her little mouth gets going.
I think that needs to come back. Stop telling your kids that they are great at everything, so that they are actually encouraged to challenge themselves to be the best. Let’s break this cycle of entitlement that they have. Real world is going to bite these kids in the ass if they continue getting rewarded for mediocrity.
Many of us were not praised on our road to our adult lives. We are doing our children a disservice by attempting to compensate for the praise we feel we lacked. Our parent’s did us a favor. At least, I can say mine did.
Our Tolman Life 