My One Little Word for 2015 was shift.I had three main areas where I planned for shift to happen:
I want to shift the way I think about my job.
We are talking about instructional shifts at school.
I will shift the way I spend my free time.
The new job: You know the old saying Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. Well I got my wish. I moved to middle school and it has been a natural fit. I feel challenged and exhilarated.
Instructional shifts: Middle school is also working through some instructional shifts, specifically around writing. These don’t seem like shifts to me because everything is new to me this year, but some teachers across the district are struggling. We are using the TCRWP Units of Study and all the 6th grade teachers at my school are on board. This is my professional learning community and we are helping each other out with the implementation of Units of Study. You can see why this has been a good shift.
Free time: I’ve read mostly debut YA this year, but as the deadline for our shortlist arrives (Nov. 30 for committee members, public announcement in early December) I’ve been reading more variety. As I anticipated, I haven’t knit much this year, but I picked it back up last week, beginning the first of my Christmas knitting project. I read over 70 books for the Morris Committee, a job I have loved. It will be hard to say goodbye to that commitment, but it does open up some time for me to do other things. Things, like knitting, I’ve put aside.
Will I choose a new OLW for 2016? I don’t know. This year’s word didn’t guide me, as much as it gave me a focus for my reflection. Maybe that is enough.
booksandbassets 
It is so interesting to me the OLW that are chosen yearly. What great evidence of yours in action.
I agree with you that choosing a OLW guides you in reflection about your life but the reflection has helped me to change direction.
It is always interesting to see how a word chosen at the beginning of the year guides and shapes us for the rest of the year
Your shifts have led to marvelous things!
I love reading the stories behind people’s OLW’s and how their lives lead into unexpected changes. I moved the middle school last year and I absolutely love it. I taught 4th before and thought I would be there forever. Here’s to shifts!