In yoga, we talk about the work as a practice.

With deep breathing, we practice the flow.

Unlike any other form of exercise, yoga is about learning and trying.

It’s unrealistic to think that on my first extension all those years ago that I would be able to move perfectly. While I felt some success, even then, I was learning the practice. Now today, when I fall mid-move—that dang crow pose gets me every time—, I am making attempts to understand the process. I have grown confident in poses that were once difficult, and each day I reach for something further in my practice.

I know that yoga is about breathing in and listening to what my muscles are saying as I shift into new places.

Practice Makes… me OK with Imperfection

In my own personal and professional development, I am aspiring to be a “good enoughist.”

In the past, my skewed understanding of perfection had somehow taken the element of practice out of my life. I was unforgiving of the benefits of practice: deep breathing, falling, stuttering. I wrongfully expected myself to get it right without learning and trying. I tried to shift into each extension without practicing the move. I knew about growth mindset, but that was for my students, for other people.

Shamefully, I would never carry these expectations for my students, colleagues, friends, or family; however, I used to drop this heavy burden on myself all the time.

I’m starting to realize that the shame of imperfection is not a solo act.

There’s No Way We Were Born to Grade Essays and Die

Lots of teachers try to hustle and keep up with unrealistic expectations either those we create ourselves or the ones we imagine (Think: “I’m going to get fired if I leave the same “Indicator of Success” on the whiteboard all week”). 

We carry the burden of stress and overwhelm.

In fact, I bet you can name five students who harbor this internal drama, as well. In the writing workshop, teachers try to honor vulnerability. We invite our students into the writing process with courage, compassion, and connection. 

Now it’s our turn! Rather than just model for our students—because yes, we do write beside them— let’s be brave enough to face imperfection head on in our classrooms and lives.

2016 is upon us, friends, and I am so not into New Years Resolutions. They’re crazy hard and too unforgiving. I am, however, super into intentional goal planning {Check out Lara Casey‘s Powersheets! They’re my jam!} This year I’m making some tender and bold goals for my professional and personal life.

I recently read that we need to say no to some things so we can say yes to better things. So here’s my question:

What are you saying YES to in 2016? 

My List for Work:

• practice → I’ve got some new and “scary” goals (i.e. teaching rhetorical analysis per the SAT) that I want to try and experiment with.
• defined office hours + device-free evenings → I want to “clock out” by 4pm and unplug by 8:30pm
• downtime + rest → I’m tired of being tired all day at work, so I want to refuel intentionally (i.e. not by scrolling through Facebook).
• self-compassion + progress → When I don’t nail it each lesson, I won’t beat myself up. This is a little by little kind of growth. 

And because we gotta take somethin’ off our plates if we’re adding somethin’ new…

What are you saying NO to this year?

My List for Work:

• perfect → In the trash! Whoo hoo! Who needs it anyway?
• busy as a status symbol → When colleagues ask how I’m doing, I want to have something to say other than “busy.” I like “energized, happy, geeked, grateful…”
• focusing on “supposed to” → Research says we’re “supposed to do” far more than we can logistically fit into one work day: grading, reading/writing workshop, parent emails, college/career readiness, character development, vocabulary instruction, curriculum planning. I can’t do it all; neither can you.  I’m going to try to do what I can and be okay with “good enough.”
• comparison → You do awesome things in your classroom, so does Jim Burke and Penny Kittle. Hooray! Good for you. Good for them. However, I’m the only person that can be me and teach my students. And guess what? I’m pretty good at that. I can’t spend my time pining for other students or jealous of other teachers’ skills/experiences.
• multitasking between my job and my family → Yes, my students have a lot of needs, and I could work all day and night to support them. But my family needs me, too. I want to love on those in my household first and do that well. Then, I can better serve my students and colleagues.

So while it is hard for me to even say it, in 2016, I want to stutter, fall, and–most importantly–say “No” to a lot of nonsense. I’ve got to do this in order say “Yes.” This allows me to practice breathing life into each new stretch.

Your Turn

What about you? Be tender, and embrace some bold. Share what are you saying “Yes” and “No” to in the comment section below. Let’s support one another this year!

But wait–there’s more!

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