Monday, September 23, 2013

Slice of Life - Mentoring 101

TWO WRITING TEACHERS
Last week I received a book from a friend titled Mentoring 101 by John C. Maxwell.

My friend is a pastor at one of our churches.  His children attend our school, and his wife teaches here.  He actually leads a bible study and prayer group with a small group of teachers here at school.  I know - I hear some of you gasping right now.

We meet before our school day officially begins.  The power of prayer for our students and colleagues, diving into the Word of God, his inspirational text messages, and focusing on these throughout our day is amazing.  It is one of the highlights of our week.

I haven't read past the preface and first chapter of the book, but I think this book has the potential to be inspiring.   I have been placed in a couple of new leadership positions this year, and with that comes opportunity and professional growth, but also many new challenges.  Although I love the challenge, it is harder to find the time to do the things that I love...reading and writing.

A line in the preface says "If you want to grow and become the best person you can be, you've got to be intentional about it."  This is still a work in progress in many areas of my life.  My intentionality right now is not including the reading and writing that I so enjoy and need in order to become a better teacher.  I miss that, and I am searching for some balance.

Also in the preface, the author says "...life is busy and complex.  Most people run out of day long before their to-do list is done."

My to-do list included a longer slice but....I have run out of day!  Seems to be a pattern lately.

I have read more of this little gem of a book since I first posted this.  Check back this week for more inspirational tidbits.

7 comments:

  1. It seems many of us run out of day before our to-do list is completed. Do we typically tend to over extend ourselves? Sometimes we just need to take a step back, remind ourselves that we are only human, and do something just for ourselves.

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  2. Intentionality - I think about it so much in my teaching life, but need to be reminded about this in my own daily life.

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  3. Challenging post. I have read m any post very similar to this today. It appears that we are all searching for that balance and intentionality in our lives. I look forward reading your future posts--any gems that you can share with us are greatly appreciated.

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    1. I felt similar thoughts as I have been reading posts today. I guess we should feel that we are not alone!

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  4. I think you are on the right path to being intentional. I try to keep that in mind every day.

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    1. Thank you Elsie. I am really trying, but some days it is just too difficult!

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  5. Lovely to hear about this book and how it is helping you be more thoughtful about your life's choices Leigh Anne. I'll look forward to hearing about other parts.

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