Thanks to Ceri -- I've decided to think of some words that mean something to me and share the meaning and how it pertains (or not) to me. So thanks Ceri!!!! (imitation IS the best form of flattery you know!!)

My word today is Evaluate -- being a teacher for many years I spent alot of my time evaluating my students -- on their daily goals as well as their overall goals (I'm in SpEd - goals are our middle name!) plus as a teacher I was evaluated by my principal. Since I was a speech/language pathologist for my 42 years words always had special place and meaning to me. Most of my life was explaining and teaching kids word meanings -- and their synonyms, antonyms, etc.

So what's the 'real' meaning of evaluate -- according to the online dictionary I checked it says

1. To ascertain or fix the value or worth of.
2. To examine and judge carefully; appraise

Synonyms for evaluate - estimate, appraise, assess, assay, evaluate, rate
There are no specific single words for antonyms of evaluate

So what does this word mean to me -- pertaining to my journey. In looking at meaning 2 of the word evaluate it says to 'examine and judge carefully -.

The 5% challenge has been good at helping to form goals that were meaningful to me to reach my goals However I've found that writing the goals and DOING the goals are 2 separate things. So in doing my EVALUATION of my goals I need to try to find a way to make those 2 things come together. How to do this? For now I've printed out my goals in black/white and hung them above my desk so I SEE them. A visual reminder of what I"m doing and why.

Meaning 1 says to ascertain or fix the value of something. Well I think that item of value would be ME.....I've read many things about why it's important and while I almost always agree with them -- I don't follow through in practice. I still think I need/deserve (oooo that would be a good word to explore) that cookie or treat that I have. Why can't I make HEALTH be as big as priority as that treat??? . I KNOW it's important but my followthrough is sometimes nil.

So what have I learned? That I have the knowledge and the know how to make this journey work but I don't have the follow through in actual practice. I need to come up with something to help me do that -- more EVALUATION of that is needed.

So if any of you have ideas for me -- I'd greatly appreciate them!!