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Think about a time recently when you accomplished a big task or made a big purchase. Remember how it felt to have done so? (ok- if you were forced to buy a oven because yours broke in the middle of supper prep, maybe it wasn’t a good feeling) Now think about your “why” for doing that thing or buying that object. Was it a big why? Something that was important to you?
Of course it was! When we have a “why” — a good, well-thought out reason — we often accomplish the task associated with it.
It’s no different for your homeschool. If you haven’t thought about why you’re doing this hard thing, undertaking this monumental task that leaves you both fulfilled and exhausted, then you might want to spend some time thinking about it. See, if you’re homeschooling because you were homeschooled or because it felt like the thing to do or because someone told you to, you are likely going to fall prey to burn-out, comparison and maybe even decision fatigue.
We need a “why” for every task. Big ones and small ones. A big job requires a “big why.” We’re going to call this “big why” your mission statement or your vision.
Having a “big why” is like an anchor point, a filter and a treasure map.
Anchor point:
keeps you from floating off with every distraction, pinterest post, new curriculum review.
secures you in your decisions in the face of self-doubt or criticism
Filter:
stops you from wasting money on resources that aren’t a right fit
helps you let go of comparison and things that are time-wasters and
Treasure map:
gets you to where you want to go
keeps your eyes on the prize even when you’re lost
Sounds good, doesn’t it? It feels good too to have a goal or a legacy in mind and when you cast a vision, figure out your “big why” or write a mission statement, that’s what you’re doing: you’re setting your legacy for your homeschool.
A few questions to ask yourself as you think about that:
How do you define “successful homeschooler”?
What philosophy resonates with you?
When you think of your child as an adult, what character traits, skills and talents do you want them to possess?
Now, spend some time in a quiet place where you can pray over these questions and thoughtfully consider your answers. Once you do that, you’ll be on your way to figuring out your “big why” and writing your mission statement.
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