Today I close the door to the past, open the door to the future, take a deep breath, step on through and start a new academic year – in a different way. Old ways will not open new doors.
Are you willing to close the door on last year’s story to move forward and write a new one this year? If you are ready to open the door to more this year, you are in the right place to step forward as it is time to share the keys to success.
Keep Empowering Your Strategy – KEYS
Doors provide both entrances and exits in your personal and professional life. Life happens, so some doors are closed by you and for you. Other doors open with new and unexpected opportunities. But, would you be ready to take them? It is how you act and react when the doors start moving that holds the key to your future. Standing looking at a door that has been closed for you is not going to change what happened. Wishing a new door would open and taking no action will not make you future-ready in today’s educational world.
What does the KEYS strategy mean?
The keys strategy helps you become future-ready to open the door to what you want to be, do and have. Personally, this strategy has helped me move forward to what you see today. This year, I have realised my dream to teach part-time, while getting ready to open more doors to address the challenges of wellbeing in education for you. So, how can this strategy help you?
Key 1: Doors open and close when you least expect it. Be ready!
Create your own personal development plan. Is your CV up to date? Have you got a list of your personal and professional accomplishments ready to share? With the landscape of the current educational world, are you future-ready? If you were made redundant, are you in a position to move forward? Preparation when school is out can lead to success when school is in.
Key 2: When doors close, look at alternatives
What is your plan B? What options do you have? What actions can you take now to increase your options?
Key 3: Take small actions every day to open more doors for you
As term goes on, emotions start to kick in; you need to look after yourself. What small actions can you add into your week to increase your wellbeing? What can you learn from your summer holiday? Make a wellness toolbox, a box of things that make you feel better if you are not feeling great. I have some painting, photos and a book. What could you have? Do three things every day to invest in yourself.
Key 4: Use your time wisely behind closed doors to help you get ahead
It is time to assign yourself some future-ready homework! What do you need to learn? How do you need to upskill to open the next door? Buy an A4 book, set some non-negotiable time and get started.
Key 5: Never forget the most important door – the door that opens to your future self
What are you doing today that your future self will thank you for? Are you doing enough?
As the start of the year begins, I finish with a quote from Walt Disney: “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” So stay curious, invest in yourself and have a great year.
Source: Independent Education Today