‘Tis the season to ______.

What would you put in the blank? Make memories? Sleep in? Drink hot cocoa? At Capturing Kids' Hearts, we say 'tis the season to reflect and refine. As you enjoy a well-deserved break, use these tips to help ensure you return to school ready to serve with passion, purpose, and a plan.

Tip #1: Be Intentional with Loved Ones

Taking breaks to turn "off" work is critical to our professional sustainability. However, as we enjoy vacations, we mustn't turn "off" our care for others. During the holidays, be intentional with your loved ones — give them your focus and energy, and make sure they receive your best.

Here are some practical tips for communicating your care:

• Meet loved ones with a smile and a genuine greeting.

• Plan an engaging activity to help friends and family connect.

• Share something good that's happened to you – simpler is better.

• Actively listen to others during holiday dinners and gatherings! Put your phone down, make eye contact, and lean in to show you are engaged.

• Share a challenge you have faced this year – be authentic.

• Take time to affirm your friends and family members — write a note of encouragement!

• As you say goodbye to family and friends after a gathering, send them away with a meaningful message.

Tip #2: Get a Head Start on the New Year

We know great leaders focus on the future with a "whatever it takes" attitude. As you reflect on this year, be proactive and start thinking about what you want to achieve in 2023. Then, take the initiative to make it happen — this could involve prioritizing the most significant changes you want to make (both personally and professionally). Read and absorb new information, refine your goals, and explore resources and tools to improve your skills. 

Instead of setting a New Year's resolution, choose one word you want to focus on in the next year. This word should sum up who you want to be, how you want to live, and why you choose to lead. Commit to focusing on this word daily and share your word with your family and friends. You may want to write your word on a sign or notecard, decorate it, and display it to help you remember your commitment. This year, I chose the word "grace." It is a good reminder of how to approach everyone in my life — from my family and co-workers to the children who depend on me daily! 

Tip #3: Reframe Your Vacation Countdown

How do you frame your days leading up to the return of school? Let's be honest; it's easy to focus on ALL of the work we HAVE to do. But what if we reframed our mindset to look at all the "get-to" items on our list?

Instead of counting down the days before you HAVE to go back to school, try counting down the days before you GET TO impact the lives of young people who need you more than you know! Your affirmations and warm morning greetings are echoing in the minds of young people, and believe it or not; YOU ARE MISSED!  

One year, during the weeks leading up to the winter break, I asked my students to write about what they planned to do during their time off. Most wrote things like, "see my family," "get a new gaming system," and "go visit relatives." However, one of my students turned in a blank piece of paper with just his name on it. When I asked him why he didn't write anything, he reluctantly told me that he wasn't excited about the break. He said all winter breaks meant to him was two weeks at home alone. No tree. No big family dinners. Not even any presents.

At this moment, I realized that not all students look forward to these extended breaks from school. While most kids (and educators) flee from school gleefully on the last day, many students — like this one — dread the holiday breaks. They miss the school day's structure, the classroom's stability, the presence of friends, the food in the cafeteria, and the love their teachers give them.

Changing how you think about the break will change how you feel when you return to school AND will make everyone feel welcome back to class.

The Gift of a Restored Self

Remember taking care of yourself, setting goals to improve your skills, and reframing your vacation mindset will position you to maintain the momentum you've created and best serve students when you return to school.

Keep up the great work!

Author: Bryan Freeman