Directions – Lauren Harbert
As we gear up for fall, what do you hope to achieve?
Hello LTEN community! Happy September, and happy return-to-football season! As much as I loved the recent months filled with the warm weather, opportunities to travel with our kids and late evenings on the dock, I am ready for fall [sports]!
We love football in our home, and our daughter made the volleyball team, so we’ll be taking in our fair share of those games this month as well.
If you are like me, the return of fall also brings a sense of anticipation and excitement – maybe even some anxiety – as we enter a new season of learning. I try to separate these emotions and calm any anxiety by setting personal goals for the educational year ahead.
Being Productive
Setting goals has become my preferred method of channeling these emotions into productive energy. As we gear up for the fall, I encourage each of you to consider what you hope to achieve in the upcoming learning season. Whether it’s expanding your knowledge of a specific topic, tackling a new skill or simply enhancing your professional development with a thought provoking class or book, having clear goals can provide a sense of purpose and direction.
For me, this fall will be about striking a balance between personal growth, family commitments and my professional endeavors. I’m excited to dive into new books (always taking recommendations!), attend webinars and network with fellow lifelong learners at upcoming mixers and events.
I have also set a professional goal to continue to stretch and strengthen my knowledge of our technologies so that I can drive the research and exploration of new ways to enrich your online experience as an LTEN member.
Being Realistic
As with all great ideas, I’m aware that goal-setting comes with its challenges. It is so easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of opportunities available to us; I’ve learned that it’s best for me to keep my goals realistic and achievable.
Instead of aiming for that 90-yard touchdown pass (theoretically speaking), I find it’s best to focus on a few key areas where I truly believe I can make a difference.
As we kick off this new educational year together, remember that it’s okay to embrace the excitement and, yes, even the anxiety. These emotions remind us that we’re alive and training ourselves for a better future. So, let’s harness that energy, set a few goals and make this fall one to remember.
Being Connected
In the spirit of shared learning, I’d love to hear about your goals. Feel free to reach out and connect with me and others in our LTEN community. Let’s inspire one another and learn from our collective experiences.
Here’s hoping you have a wonderful season of personal growth and success ahead!
Lauren Harbert is executive director of LTEN. Email Lauren at lharbert@L-TEN.org.
