The Practice of Being On Purpose

Over the winter break, I spent some time thinking about "expectancy" and how I want to show up in 2023. 

Expectancy is a positive, fluid mindset; it involves having goals while also staying open and flexible in order to adapt and grow. It doesn’t mean accepting any and all thoughts or ideas, but instead using the power of our minds and hearts to work toward what we desire in a thoughtful and intentional way.

As I was doing some reading on how to live expectantly, I learned that January is National Be On Purpose Month. This idea of being on purpose really resonated with me. Sticking to our New Year resolutions is often challenging, but having a month dedicated to staying on purpose can help remind us of the commitments we’ve made. I believe it’s always more transformational (and more fun!) to have a community to grow with, so I invite you to join our Mizzen community and explore ways to show up for ourselves and our young people in the year ahead. 

National Be On Purpose Month can serve as a time for educators to reflect on our role in mentoring young people. It's a time to think about what it means to be purposeful in our work and how to infuse that sense of purpose into every aspect of the learning experience. 

Here are five practices that educators can use to celebrate National Be On Purpose Month:

1. Reflect on your values and goals as an educator. Take time to think about what matters most to you and how to align your actions and decisions with those values. This can help you to stay focused and motivated and can help you to connect with your sense of purpose.
2. Invest in your learning journey. Stay curious and expand your knowledge. That might look like taking a LinkedIn course, picking up a new hobby or sitting down with something outside your personal or professional life to ask questions and listen.
3. Build strong relationships with your students. Spend time getting to know your students as individuals and understanding their unique strengths, challenges and needs. This can involve having regular one-on-one conversations, creating opportunities for collaboration and connection and showing genuine interest in your students' lives and experiences.
4. Connect with a "purpose pal.” It can feel overwhelming when making changes, setting goals and taking action. Find a friend or colleague who helps you stay on track while you work toward achieving your goals.

What will you do to engage expectantly? Will you join the Mizzen community in practicing an on purpose mindset this month? We believe in you. Your intentionality, support and flexibility makes a positive impact on the lives of the young people and the professionals in the out-of-school time space. Let’s go!