How ‘Bout Them Resolutions?
It’s February, so you know what that means! Time to check in on New Year’s Resolutions. I bet you didn’t know that out of all the Americans who made New Year’s Resolutions, about 43% have already quit. Why is that? Are our goals too lofty? Are we already too bogged down with life’s expectations? Or are we just not into resolutions anymore?
I had a chance to ask our Founder, Jonathan Santos Silva, about his 2024 resolutions, and I was unprepared for his response.
Jonathan: I didn’t set any New Year’s resolutions last month. I’m not against them - they can be beautiful, but the process of creating them can sometimes set us up for failure. Setting resolutions has become cultural. We look at our calendars and think a new year is a new beginning, a perfect opportunity to set goals. But why not start a new goal on a random Thursday? Why wait for the beginning of a month or the first of the year to make a change?
It’s more important that we latch on to the root of the word, resolve. It’s more important that we resolve to make a change. So this year, like last year, I didn’t make a resolution, but I was inspired by one of my coaches, Dr. Erica Jordan Thomas, to commit to change. She challenged us to look at 2024 as a clean slate and give it a theme.
My theme is RISE. I probably could have found a cooler-sounding word that illustrates the growth and progress I have planned for this year, but the word's simplicity resonates with me. As a husband and father, as a leader, I will rise to the occasion. I will show up and be present. How do I do that? I look at my spiritual health and fitness, my mental health, and the health of my relationships and see room for growth, so I resolve to take those steps. I decided to:
Focus on my time reading the Bible and praying.
I teach self-defense and also commit to spending time planning better classes and getting into the weight room after class.
I’m reaching out to potential partners to learn and grow professionally.
With that said, I still could have used a different word, one that may gain a lot of attention on a hashtag or something, but I love the word rise for another reason.
Dr. Maya Angelou’s poem, Still I Rise, is one of my favorites; it talks about history and lists reasons why one might expect her to falter. Life can be difficult but the poem is defiant - Dr. Angelou says “I walk like I’ve got oil wells Pumping in my living room.” That swag, that sauntering, is what I want to bring to 2024. I want to borrow some of that energy; I want to walk with the confidence of Dr. Angelou.
2024 is the year of my rise. I’m going to grow into the leader I wish to be, and I want to encourage our school and district leaders to think like that, too. I know in education, we think of August and September as the beginning of the year, when we engage in new initiatives, but now is as good a time as any to pick a theme for the year.
Did you set a resolution last month? How is it going? Are you looking for some inspiration to freshen up your commitment?
Amanda: I have to admit, I didn’t set one either. It always feels like a burden - just another item on the to-do list that I have to check off every week. But your perspective is refreshing. I’ll resolve to make positive changes in my parenting, personal relationships, and professional life.
Jonathan: That’s a good start. I challenge you to think about what your word or theme can be.
I think about the education leaders we work with. What word would they use to capture the impact they wish to have on their school or district… Is it love, progress, growth, disruption, integrity - what word reflects their vision or resolve for their team?
This word is important. In moments of distraction or discouragement, this is what you tap into, and you don’t want to flip-flop between multiple ideas; just pick one and hold onto it. And if that turns into a resolution, then do it. But if you’re like me and resolutions don’t click with you, that’s cool too. Just be sure that you resolve to grow and leave an impact!
Amanda: What advice do you have for people who aren’t into resolutions but want to commit to some type of positive growth?
Jonathan: Whether you choose to set goals, draft a vision board, or commit to a resolution, the next part is sticking with it, which is the hardest part. I will share some tips that have made these commitments easier for me.
Set Reasonable Goals
Don’t sabotage yourself before you even start. If you only go to the gym once a week, don’t commit to seven days. Commit to the increase.
Personal Example:
For those of you who don’t know, I teach martial arts twice a week (shout out to Burke’s Martial Arts!) This year, I’m also committing to hitting the weight room after class. When I am on the road, a full-body calisthenic workout helps keep me on track. I know I’ll be teaching at least twice a week so carving out an extra hour to lift weights is an easy add-on. When I’m on the road, if a weight room isn’t available at my hotel, I already have a workout I can do in my room.
Professional Example:
Education leaders, you can commit to those in-school observations. Visit with your principals, sit it on a teacher's lesson or two, and prioritize connections this year.
Let’s make it reasonable by first identifying historical hurdles. District meetings? Student behaviors? How can you plan proactively over the next week, month, or semester to make room for those inevitable hiccups?
It’s not about creating stress or shaming others - it’s about keeping the commitment you make to yourself and being available for the people you serve.
Give Yourself Grace
Personal Example:
How many times would I rather log into Netflix or play Just Dance with my kids instead of heading to the gym? Most times. But, as much as I enjoy those moments with my children, I also love my time on the mats. So, I attach my new routine (lifting weights) to an already-established one. By leveraging my passion for martial arts, it’s easier to get to the weight room.
There are still days that I don’t make it to the gym. That doesn’t mean I don’t want it badly enough - those days mean I’m human. That’s why it’s important to set reasonable goals and give yourself grace. I want to be healthier for my family. I have four kids I’m trying to live for, and I have a beautiful, amazing wife I want to grow old with, so I commit to teaching martial arts twice a week when I’m home and to continue working out on the road, and I give myself a little grace when I have to skip out to decompress or reconnect with my family.
Professional Example:
There are very few jobs in the world, quite like a principal’s, a superintendent’s, or an educator's. Good gracious, is there any job on Earth where you have less control of your time? As an educator, you get to create your lesson plans and classroom structure, but you can’t decide to just teach in the afternoons or stop class because you need a coffee or restroom break.
There are a plethora of reasons to give up on New Year’s Resolutions, so the first thing you need to do is give yourself grace. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Know you’re not alone, and give yourself grace. Find what makes you feel whole again, decompress, and reconnect with your loved ones.
Then get back to the commitment you made to yourself. Acknowledge that internal resistance to change and think about how you can attach a new commitment to an already established routine or practice.
Accountability Partner
The last piece of advice I have is to find an accountability partner.
Personal Example:
My accountability partner is not the same person or people I work out with, but they do know about my commitment to teaching martial arts and my resolve to get healthier, and they have enough compassion to check in on me.
Professional Example:
Find another principal, superintendent, or educator who understands the nuances of the field. My guess is that they’re going to understand you better than your sibling or cousin, who definitely cares about you and shows compassion but can’t empathize with your experience.
I’ve said a lot, so I’ll leave you with this:
As good as you may be in your current role, when you’re tired and depleted, you’ll never be as good as you can be when you’re healthy, well-fed, and energized.
Prioritize those little things, whether it’s a five-minute yoga stretch in your office or a quick pause in the hallways to breathe deeply, stocking your mini fridge with fresh whole foods, so you don’t have to refuel at the vending machine, or making those sleeping hours a sacred part of your routine.
If not a New Year’s Resolution, then I challenge you to commit to a small change that will help you become 1% healthier, happier, more energized, and more impactful - every single day.
And make sure you’re taking care of yourself because your students, your staff, and your family are counting on you!
