Here in New England, we are in this liminal space that is late August. Schools and colleges aren’t yet holding classes, but they soon will be. Target’s back-to-school supply shelves are picked over. The malls and outlets are packed. Most K-12 districts will start soon and many colleges will start after Labor Day. The warm weather will continue for several more weeks, and beach bums like me will squeeze in a few more days at the ocean. I’m not ready to let go of summer, where schedules are less hectic and time outdoors is abundant. But, there is the lure of fall. A new academic year is a new beginning. It’s a time when we can start fresh with new goals, new routines, and new habits.
Liminal spaces are those occasions where we are between what was and what is next. They are times of growth and opportunity, even if they feel uncomfortable. The liminal space of late August is a great time to reflect and set goals for the new academic year. How do you want to take advantage of this fresh start?
Here are some reflective questions to help you begin. You can use these as journal prompts, talk them over with your work BFF, or use them as an opener at your next staff meeting.
- What knowledge or skill do you want to develop this year? What professional development opportunities will help you?
- In what ways do you want to show up at work in more authentic ways?
- How do you want to approach your morning and evening routines? What needs tweaking?
- What habits do you want to develop or change?
- What is one boundary you want to set that will allow for better integration of your work and your personal life?
- What are three projects that you want to prioritize above everything else? How will you schedule focused time to work on them?
- In what ways do you want to expand your professional network? Who do you want to get to know?
- How will you celebrate your accomplishments?
As you reflect, identify a next action step. The investment in crafting a vision about how you want the semester to play out will help you get through the trying moments that are sure to come. Identifying a next action step will help you intentionally create an academic year that just may be more manageable. (If all else fails, apple cider donuts and everything pumpkin spice will be here soon to distract you.)
I would love to hear from you and what you are thinking about as the new academic year begins. You can send me an email at [email protected] connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram. You can also sign up for my monthly newsletter.
