Description: Squad: /skowd/ (noun). 1. any small group or party of persons engaged in a common enterprise 2. an informal group of individuals with a common goal and sense of solidarity.
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Transcription: Hi, and welcome to episode 30 of Self-Care for Educators. I am your host, Tina Boogren, and this week's invitation is about finding your squad. Oh, we can take that in a gazillion different ways, but here's specifically how I'm thinking of this this week. To give you a little bit of background, I want to share with you the big, hairy, audacious goal that I set myself up for in 2021.
I decided that I was going to do—complete if you will—2,021 miles in 2021. I don't know you guys ... Back at the end of December, I was scrolling through social media and something came up. I don't even remember what it was, but it was just perhaps someone else's idea of doing 2,021 in 2021 in terms of miles, and something about that just called out to me. I'm a big fan of these kind of big stretch goals that I know are doable, but they're going to be a challenge. A few years ago, some of you followed me on my journey. I did a photography challenge where I did ... I followed these prompts, and I took a unique photo every single day and posted it. And, I did that every single day, last year. As many of you know, I engaged in a quest to find my abs, and I committed to doing a minimum of a hundred sit-ups or ab exercises every single day. And, I did it every single day. So, I was ... As I was searching for my 2021 goal ... When that one came across, I just ... I knew that was the one, and I latched onto it. And, I could feel that feeling inside of me ... that feeling that's like, Oh my gosh. Yes, this is it. I'm excited about this. This, like, lights a fire under me. And, it also terrifies me a little bit. And, that's when I know I'm onto something. The fun part is I decided to make this public, and I posted it on my own personal Facebook page. And, I had a whole slew of people that got excited about this, as well.
And so, instantaneously I was like, Those are my people. This is my squad. Let's do this. And, I set up a private Facebook group for us, all the people that were committed to tackling this big, huge, juicy challenge together. And, I can't tell you how much joy that has brought me. Oh man. We are only a few weeks into 2021 and already, setting up this squad has been a game changer.
When I did that photography challenge, and I did that ab challenge, I did those on my own, and that was cool. I loved it actually. But, what I am discovering already this year ... The difference between having that kind of crazy goal and doing it with other people where we are truly, truly cheering each other on inspiring each other is a game-changer. It feels just ... It's that sense of community and belonging that's so essential, right?
In my core, I am an introvert. I recharge by being by myself. And so, I get stuck in this kind of habit and pattern of thinking that the introvert in me needs to do everything on my own. And, the reality is ... I'm reminded again and again and again that every single one of us ... All of us are actually hardwired for human connection. And, even though this is an individual challenge, having the support of a squad is a game changer. I want you to play around with this idea. So, I'm bringing this up, because I know many of you are partaking in some big challenges yourself this year, or you're engaging in the idea of a 30 day challenge.
I love 30 day challenges by the way. Something that you either commit to doing every single day for 30 days or giving up for 30 days ... And, as you set up those challenges or engage in them, I encourage you to find your squad that's going to support you and cheer you on and just kind of help push you to keep going. And, with that squad, figure out a way that you are getting checked in with each other. Are you going to do it via text? Setting up a group on Facebook? It's such a simple thing to do. So, that's what ... That's what I did. It's kind of my go-to. It was easy for me to set up. I can be the administrator for that group. And, all I do is every single morning, I just put the date, and I ask the question, How are you moving your body today? How are you getting your miles in? And, then throughout the day, the members of this squad post pictures or make comments. And then, we all go back, and we cheer each other on, and then someone has a rest day and we say, Good for you! There is no competition. Everyone's on their own journey here. But, being able to have that loving accountability and support and inspiration, and I'll tell you what ... When I don't feel like moving ... When I go, and I take a look at that group, and I see someone else getting out there and getting some fresh air or hopping on their bike or getting on their treadmill ... It inspires me and reminds me that I can do this as well. So that's it. That's what I want you to play with this week. I want you to think about, Who are your people?
We know the importance of having that group and that sense of belonging. Can you find some colleagues, some friends, some family members, all of the above that you kind of have this similar goal, something that you're all kind of working towards and see if you can find a way to come together and really kind of solidify that or make it even more official in your support? It could even just be a text exchange. Right? You know, a lot of folks will get a group together and say, We're all committed to drinking more water. And so, we've got a text exchange where we just submit to each other how many glasses of water we have had so far. We do kind of a check in. I mean, there's a gazillion ways to do this. In fact, I'd love if, of course, if we could jump over into the Facebook page, the Self-Care for Educators Facebook page and share how you utilize it, a squad, in pursuing your own goals. I think there's probably a gazillion ways to do this that I haven't even thought about. And, I would love if you would just share or those of you that are part of a group that are all kind of working towards a similar goal or supporting each other, how does that make a difference for you? I know in my group, in this 2,021 for 2021 ... So many numbers ... The mileage group ... Many people have already commented that it's not just me ... That there is a real sense of camaraderie that's coming out of this group that we're all super grateful for and find ourselves kind of pushing ourselves to keep going and really reach these huge, big, hairy, audacious goals that we've set for ourselves.
I can't wait to hear what you do with this ... What you do with this notion of forming this squad to support each other in our own pursuits and goals and dreams, if you will, particularly when it comes to our own professional wellness.
As always a huge, huge thank you to Brooke for making this happen. Thank you to Solution Tree and Marzano Resources for this job I get to do. And as always, the biggest shout out goes out to you, my bad-ass Self-Care Squad. I am so, so grateful for you. Oh man. What a squad this is! Have an amazing week.