And then it hit me... The reason that I was having trouble narrowing it down is similar to an issue I've been having in my professional life...and there was my word.
Never mind that I'm still not completely where I want to be in knowing my curriculum content. I'm still learning as I plan and develop. Never mind that I still have all of the family obligations that kept me out of the game in the first place. I've been feeling stretched and pressured and all sorts of unpleasant things...all of my own doing.
And so... I'm going to FOCUS on what's important. I'm going to keep reading and learning so that I can make my classroom the very best place for learning. I'm going to plan and develop engaging, integrated lessons that are personally relevant to my students. I'm going to reflect (daily, I hope) on what I'm doing through this blog. I'm going to FOCUS my efforts on the students that I have today and empower them to follow their dreams.
In my new FOCUSED efforts, a new TpT resource may be created. With my new FOCUS, this little blog might gain more followers. That would be fabulous. If my FOCUS on reading and learning takes me to EdCamps and connects me with other amazing educators, then that's a bonus as well. I think that all of the things I'm hoping for will happen in their own time if I FOCUS on what's most important and keep my students and my classroom at the heart of what I'm doing. All of those things are lovely, but they are not the FOCUS of what I do. I am a teacher and a learner at my core. If I FOCUS on being the best teacher and learner that I can be, then only good things will happen.
It's just so simple. I don't know why it's taken me so long to figure it out.
I'm in such a good place these days. I'm reading and learning and growing as an educator every single day. With my new focus on what's important, I think 2016 will be the best year yet.
(As a side note... My word also applies to my personal goals. I hope to FOCUS on my family when I'm at home. I need to get better at unplugging from my teacher thoughts and FOCUS on being present with those who are dearest to me.)