Over the last week, I have been inspired by the #oneword2012 hashtag. So many wonderful folks on Twitter are sharing a meaningful word that will help shape their respective 2012′s and I have decided to join in the fun. Like some of you, it was difficult for me to choose just one word that will help guide me this year, especially after an amazing 2011, highlighted by:
1. Accumulating 35,000 airlines miles for both personal and professional travel, including trips to Disney World, New Orleans, Tucson, Austin, Chicago, Gainesville, and “The Mitten” just to name a few!
2. Conducting some Student Affairs and Social Media research via #thinkingsocial with Rey Junco, Greg Heiberger, Liz Gross, TJ Logan, and Jeanna Mastrodicasa at the University of Florida.
3. Seeing my oldest daughter, Ema, start Kindergarten in a Spanish-English immersion classroom.
4. Raising $1,000 for Student Affairs Graduate Student Scholarships via the #saGROW program. (Katie O’Brien’s reflection was fantastic. I know that Kelley McCarthy’s will be excellent as well!)
5. Organizing and executing the first Student Affairs Technology UNconference at Boston University, with the help of many amazing friends and colleagues.
6. Attending my first South by Southwest Interactive Conference (SXSW)… and it was as advertised 
7. Achieving #InboxZero… consistently.
8. I broke down and purchased a MacBook Pro.. and LOVE it
9. I upgraded to the Droid RAZR… and also LOVE it
… and so much more!
With 2011 now complete, I see 2012 as a year to rethink many things, both personally and professionally:
- Rethink, how I want this blog to look and feel. Time for a change?
- Rethink, how I get to and from places. Is it time to switch up my routes to not allow my brain to become complacent? (side note: I’ve had some of the best ideas come about when I have to think about my route.)
- Rethink, how I use technology personally. Time to gain more balance and turn things off (outside of vacation)
- Rethink, how I use technology professionally. Do I really need ALL these … things?
- Rethink, how I manage and operate the Rondileau Campus Center. Is it time to change things up a bit?
- Rethink, how I choose my speaking engagements. I will be more selective in 2012
This year will be about rethinking how and why I do the things I do and making necessary adjustments. For those that know me well, complacency is not part of my vocabulary. Just because something is working well now, doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be rethought. I hope you will all challenge me throughout the year if things still seem … the same Happy New Year to all!!!
What will you “rethink” this year? How will this affect the way your 2012 is shaped?
Speak Your Mind & Add a Comment Below
Great Ed! Maybe it’s time for us ALL to rethink argyle at conferences.
Bite your tongue! LOL
Such an important reminder Ed – we encourage our students to get out of their ruts but all too often we fail to see that sometimes we find our way into ruts as well. Just because you’re happy doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to rejuvenate and be even happier. Best of luck in the coming year on this process – thanks again for all the guidance you’ve provided me thus far!
Glad to see you’ve jumped on the #oneword2012 bandwagon. Looking forward to seeing how you challenge me to rethink things this year too
Great word, Ed. I like that it doesn’t imply “out with the old and in with the new” but rather an upcycle of current practices.
Great thinking on rethinking. But I love you most for calling it The Mitten. Here’s to a great 2012!
Great thoughts, Ed! It sounds like your word reaches a lot of areas in your life! I appreciate that your focus for the new year is holistic – it can be easy to set goals for just work or personal life.
Thank you for sharing!