Which me would you like to hear about -- the past, current or future one?

When someone asks us to describe who we are, it almost seems legitimate to ask them:

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Which "me" would you like to hear about -- the past me, current me, or future me?

The reason for this is that we are all ever-evolving in one way or another. 

Sometimes our character evolutions are significantly and noticeably different from those clearly evident in previous "me's." 

These evolutions may typically inspire surprised, shocked, or celebratory comments from others -- "Whoa!  You're like a completely different person -- I never would have expected that from you!!!"

At other times the evolutions, while indeed present in our characters; but perhaps to a lesser degree, may get this response from people we interact with -- "Good Grief!  How long will it take you to make some improvements to the way you do that???"

When our character evolutions are positive in nature we enjoy and look forward to getting positive feedback about how we're being viewed and received by others. 

These character strokes from other people usually lead us to want to continue developing and nurturing the current "me" that is yielding so many benefits for our social and professional relationships.

However, when the evolutions aren't as great in size and depth as we'd like to believe they are in the eyes of others; we may hear about it in feedback that's healthy for us to hear, but sometimes hard for us to swallow.

This kind of response from others might mean there are still blatant relational barriers preventing us from maximizing strong and healthy interactions with other people on a consistent basis.

We can't expect to always get along perfectly with all people of all personality types in all situations. 

That's just not how personal or professional life works.

But, we can and should keep working toward guiding our character evolutions to be pleasing and welcoming to the eyes, hearts, and minds of others who we interact with.

This way we continue strengthening those already strong social and professional relationships. 

And, we also give ourselves a chance to fortify and bring life to relationships hanging on by threads...relationships that may just be depending on our current and future "me's" to keep those threads bound together for a very long time.

Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., is a wife, mother, and 21st Century educational leader & school district administrator who serves as Co-Chair & President of Lifeline Foundation, Inc. This 24-year educator is also Founder, Editor, and Chief Writer of LifelineExtensions.blog. View other published works at http://www.examiner.com/. Contact Sharon directly for more information: smbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org.

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity."
Terence H. Biggs, Jr. ~ 2009

Outcomes…Coaching…Feedback…Input…Expectations…Descriptions

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The Performance Management Process (PMP) is an innovative professional development system highly regarded and used consistently and effectively in a number of industries including but not limited to corporations and school districts.

Instead of laboring through the traditional “rank, rate, and file” approach to employee observations and evaluations, the PMP provides the leadership of organizations with opportunities to create personalized and customized development, nurturing, and strengthening of an employee’s talent.

Executives and managers no longer have to rely on being judgmental about an employee’s weaker areas that may need improvement – undeveloped areas that typically come to light at some point post-hire…

Understanding by Design (UbD), commonly implemented in progressive school districts with set goals that include 21st Century skills’ building; is a “backward design process to assist teachers in centering their curriculum and assessments on big ideas, essential questions, and authentic performances.”

Educators no longer have to wing their way through being judgmental about a student’s weaker areas that may need improvement – undeveloped areas that typically come to light at some point post-first day of school…

Both PMP and UbD have some key elements in common in their equations:

Outcomes…Coaching…Feedback…Input…Expectations…Descriptions.

These are common elements we all stand to learn a great deal from, both intra-personally and interpersonally.

As we design, constantly reflect on, and even periodically re-design our “personal road maps” for self-improvement, relationship success, professional fulfillment, etc.; it’s helpful for us to keep in mind:

Outcome: What is it we really want to accomplish by all we’re about to set out to do, and what do others really want me to accomplish?

Coaching: Will we be sure to continue tapping into our network of true mentors to coach us into success?

Feedback: Will we readily invite and welcome ongoing and relevant feedback about how we’re doing, even if the feedback is sometimes painful to hear?

Input: Do I bring the “je ne se qua” or “right stuff” to the table so that what I currently offer and will grow to offer will bring value added?

Expectations: Do we know what others are hoping we’ll be able to accomplish, and do we know what we want for ourselves?

Descriptions: As we frequently review the “first draft sketch” of what we believe we initially signed up for does the description still match the final outcome we had in mind for ourselves; or the outcome others had in mind for us?

Sound sort of like the reverse of what we may be accustomed to doing?  Perhaps it is.

But, what more appropriate time than spring, known for its “new beginnings” and “new starts” to focus on charting our journeys with our end results in mind…then, we might just have a better handle on how and what we need to get there.

 

Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., is a wife, mother, and 21st Century educational leader who serves as Co-Chair & President of Lifeline Foundation, Inc.  This 24-year educator is also Founder, Editor, and Chief Writer of LifelineExtensions.blog.  View Sharon's other published works at http://www.examiner.com/.

Contact Sharon directly for more information: smbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity."
(Terence H. Biggs, Jr. ~ 2009)

Keeping your eyes on your goals and pushing through hard times ~ A Teen Girl's Perspective

Photo: Copyright http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/File:Big-bird.jpg

“Always remember kids, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!”—I can still clearly recall looking up at my television as a little girl in the 90s, attentively listening to the big, yellow bird known as “Big Bird” from the popular kids show Sesame Street®.

I’ll bet we all remember watching Big Bird attempt to accomplish different tasks during his five minute solo side show.

For example, in one episode, Big Bird tried to shoot a basketball from the 3-pointer line; he took his first shot and missed… BIG TIME. He stepped back up to make another shot; he would toss the ball, and miss yet again.

Big Bird would walk up to the camera full of anger; he really wanted to make the perfect shot from the 3-pointer line.

Regaining his patience, he would remind the kids watching that if they ever tried new things, sometimes they would fail.

But he would stress the fact that as long as we kept trying and persevered, great things would happen in the end.

Big Bird would then turn around, pick up the basketball, and attempt his shot… and this time, he would make it.

Celebrating, Big Bird would tell his audience never to give up, to always believe in themselves… and he would tell us to never let obstacles stand in our way of accomplishing fabulous things.

Nowadays, life is still neither simple nor fair, neither calm nor always grand.

Sometimes in this day and age, people face extreme obstacles and they must learn how to climb over them and move on.

Without setbacks, letdowns, or failures, people wouldn’t be able to discover just how intelligent and strong they truly are.

Obstacles give us motivation and inspiration to push, stay focused and diligent; and to always keep our eyes on our dreams and goals.

If we stay focused we will be able to accomplish the things we once thought were impossible.

And, once we learn how to climb over our obstacles, we will be indestructible…and just like when Big Bird finally made the shot…swoosh…we score!

Danielle M. Biggs

High School Student

Trustee & Administrative Assistant ~ Lifeline Foundation, Inc.

Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., is a wife, mother, and 21st Century educational leader who serves as Co-Chair & President of Lifeline Foundation, Inc.  This 24-year educator is also Founder, Editor, and Chief Writer of LifelineExtensions.blog. View Sharon's other published works at http://www.examiner.com/.

Contact Sharon directly for more information: sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity."
(Terence H. Biggs, Jr. ~ 2009)

Women voting since 1920

Photo: Copyright 2002 © Bob Child/AP Wide World

In 1920 women got the right to vote, which is better known as Women’s Suffrage.

Effie Hobby was among the women who participated in the historic “First Vote” in 1920 for many women across America, and continued to vote in every presidential election through 2004; when she was 107 years old.

Prior to gaining the right to vote in 1920, suffragists led rallies, protests, and gatherings in an attempt to have their voices heard by legislators and other political decision makers.

This was oftentimes done amidst heckling, being arrested and jailed, mocking, and angry mobs of people who didn’t share the viewpoint that included having women vote alongside men.

Mistreatment and what seemed to be deafened ears of policymakers didn’t stop the suffragists from continuing to insist on a policy change.

History reveals stories that may even lead one to believe the women fighting for the right to vote became more and more determined to have the 19th Amendment enacted as a result of each challenge they faced.

Their resilience finally won its day in court in 1920, when many women across the country proudly voted in their first election.

With women having the right to vote since 1920, Effie Hobby would probably say there is no reason the voting has to stop for them now.

A number of voting opportunities in the U.S. avail themselves to women, including Presidential and Congressional Elections in November every four years; Gubernatorial Elections in November (every four years in most states) to determine governorships, School Board Elections held in April of each year in some states, etc.

Votes cast during annual April School Board Elections allow voters a chance to determine which individuals they want to serve as school board members who will represent their communities for a designated time period. Voters also vote on school operating budgets they want their school districts to have during upcoming school years.

Celebrating Women’s History Month…

The Suffrage Movement made it possible for me as a woman to vote.

The Emancipation Proclamation and blood shed during the Civil Rights' Movement

made it possible for me as an African-American woman to vote.

During every School Board & Budget, Presidential & Congressional, Gubernatorial, and "Other" election;

I WILL EXERCISE MY RIGHT TO VOTE

And play a significant role in charting the future successes of those who look to me for leadership...

Written by...sharonmariabiggs ~ 2010

Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., is a wife, mother, and 21st Century educational leader who serves as Co-Chair & President of Lifeline Foundation, Inc.  This 24-year educator is also Founder, Editor, and Chief Writer of LifelineExtensions.blog.  View Sharon's other published works at http://www.examiner.com/.

Contact Sharon directly for more information: sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity."
(Terence H. Biggs, Jr. ~ 2009)