When I think of to-do lists, a lot of things come to mind.
A planning book, a calendar, post-its, colored pens, notes pages, notebooks, a random sheet of paper, an email to self, reminder pings... That's a lot of things just for a list of to-do's for a 10-12 hour period, and a lot of places the same things get written. Will we have this same fear of forgetting something if we just streamline and simplify our to-do systems? So let's think about this. What do you really need to do to get yourself sorted out when writing your to-do list and actually getting the list finished by the end of the day? My friend Erin has been contemplating this. She is in the midst of changing how she sets up and works through her to-do list. Erin works full-time, spouses, and moms her toddler so she has a lot going on. She was thinking about all the things - chores, social media posting, sleep, personal projects, work meetings - and more! Sound familiar? A good starting point Erin chose was to block the days and times she planned to work late, start late, or vice verse. That was important to her yet, when I looked at her lists of all the things, embedded in the middle of her long list was her main goal ---- to get more sleep! Awesome! Self-care! When I saw that, I reminded her that her priority/goal (sleep) needed to be scheduled in next and was her non-negotiable. Her must do. Erin knows what she needs to function at her best. She needs sleep! (Are you listening?!) A next step would be to chunk tasks, then plan everything else around her goal. If you are planning to do something like this, I share some strategies about chunking time in the Taking Control of Your To-Do List toolkit. These help me a lot! I didn't make them up, but I morphed them from masters of focus like Nir Eyal and Michael Hyatt. I've done is spent lots of time thinking about priorities and how I operate as a worker so that I can do what needs to be done on time, whether I am working on my own timeline or someone else's - and that means chunking my time.
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12/29/2020 3 Comments Shifting Organizer identities
Last week I introduced a set of simple Organizer Identity cards, which can shed a teeny bit of light into who we may be as organizers... or not so much. If you didn't grab them last week, you can still get them in the link above.
This week I wanted to look at one identity in particular, because I think many of us can relate to it. The "Tidy-on-Top" Identity. Pretty self-explanatory! This person, is just this. The desk, table or work space is tidy and neat on the surface. It's a great stepping to actually getting organized. But attempt also creates this illusion or surface level organization that can provide a short burst of satisfaction! On the flip side ... we avoid opening the drawers or cupboards, and warn others before they peek inside! Sound familiar? I spent years being this kind of "organized" and finally just couldn't take the strategy I had to have in place just to open a cupboard door anymore! We all having tipping points, and they can be helpful. But why do we wait until we can't take the clutter in the drawers anymore? I can't pinpoint the exact moment I didn't want to open messy cupboards anymore, but I do know it was a process that took some time to think through. It did take some time to think through and plan the attack, and I just knew that I had to change my identity as an organizer if I didn't want to spend my time rubbing my forehead and rubbing my eyes (those are my go-to frustration moves). It was also important for me to recognize that this cupboard clutter made me a bit anxious when I needed to get something out during class! It was impacting the things I was bringing out for students because it was too much of a hassle! Hello - where were my priorities! Over the years my Organizer Identity has shifted and become more refined, and I've found or created systems that work for me. I'd love to hear from you in the comments, in an email, or on the Facebook group, Organizing Teaching Spaces!
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Want to get deeper into teaching space organization?
Secure your space before the this goes to all my social media channels! Special offer for my course, From Cluttered to Calm: A 6-Step Process to Organizing Your Teaching Spaces ​ OFFER CLOSES TO BLOG READERS JAN 15th @9PM ET. 12/23/2020 0 Comments Who Are You?
For so many events we participate in, whether it's starting a new job or participating in a professional learning workshop, we often work on some kind of strengths-finder or skill-assessment.
Well, I'm sure you know this isn't different when we talk about organization styles. So I want to know.... who are you? Click here to get a simple set of Organizer Identity categories. Once you get the categories, choose the one that best fits you most of time. The titles are self explanatory, but detailed descriptions are coming, so stay tuned! Then hop over the the Organizing Teaching Spaces Facebook Group, and share WHO YOU ARE! Let's see how many people we can group together!
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Sign up for a FREE teacher coaching consultation call to sort out your professional needs. Take Control of Your To-Do List. Get the toolkit. App endorsements are unpaid. Photos are free from Unsplash. 12/17/2020 0 Comments Managing stuff during the HolidaysWhether you are teaching at home, in your classroom, or do both, this is the time of year that new things will likely pop up in all your spaces. You may start taking out decor, or accepting little gifts from friends and family, and maybe colleagues and students. Gifts are a kind gesture and appreciating them is essential. The holidays likely means getting old old stuff out AND accumulating new stuff. In this past week's #EdCoachCB Twitter chat, we talked about here adding a few things in our spaces, and how we can manage the old with the new. Here are a few highlights from our chat. Perhaps you will draw some inspiration for managing this. Q2: How do you make space for new things? Krista stated: "A2: This year, I put away all the "usual" things around the house and put up holiday things. When I switch back, I'll put more effort into determining what is adding value and what is just "stuff." (I am known to do sweeps of the house and toss unnecessary stuff." Lisa F said: A2: in the past I would add these new things to my collection of stuff (unless replacing)... this year I'm going to try to start a new tradition - in with new means out with something old (feeling really good of my movement toward minimalism)" Q3: What is one thing you can you can part with to make space for a new thing? Erin stated: "A3: I am determined to clean out my closet to make more room for other things...I work from home. I don't need all the clothes." Michele said: "A3: [Daughter] has a not-so subtle way of helping me figure that out. I swear she could have her own show." (Assistants are always helpful!) And finally, Q4 What are you planning to do over the break to ensure you keep a sense of organization? Jen O said: "A4: A break is when I manage to reestablish a sense of organization! There are some piles that have grown throughout the fall that I’ll finally sort through and it will restore some crucial space for me." This chat was a good one for this time of year. Let's keep the vision of managing our spaces while we have a little time to do so. Subscribe to this blog and be entered to win this month's book draw or surprise giveaway!
Let's work together. Sign up for a FREE teacher coaching consultation call! Need help with your To-Do list? Here's a toolkit to take control of it, so it doesn't control you. App endorsements are unpaid. Photos are free from Unsplash. 12/9/2020 0 Comments Even the Most OrganizedEven the most organized teachers have their moments and likely have (hidden) spaces that may not be as organized as they wished they were. It's just part of being human. I consider myself a pretty organized person, having tried, chosen, and maintained particular systems in my classroom and home. I do this because I know they keep me on top of the things in my spaces. But, at this time of year, we are all beyond tired and stressed. We can tend to let many things slide - including our organization systems and good habits - and not think twice about it. Here are three things to consider when you feel the slide. Consider why you shouldn't let your organization systems get ruffled as you move into the holiday (or hibernation) season: 1. You likely already have a bunch of good habits established for putting things away in the right places. Keep those good habits! If you let those habits slide, you will have to retrain yourself, and you already trained! 2. When one thing slides, it's easy for another area to become lax. Be careful of this because before you know it, everything will end up on top of your desk rather than back where it belongs. 3. Delaying the restart of your system or starting a new one to January 1st also delays your efficiency and sense of satisfaction. So why wait? I know you are tired. I've been there. But taking the 10-15 minutes to sort those papers or google drive docs will be done, and you won't have to do it later. AND - you won't keep putting it off because it will be done! This time of year is tough. Taking a few minutes each day to maintain your organization will save you time, energy, angst, annoyance, and all the other frustrations in the long run. Do yourself a favor now and be one those people who stays organized most of the time. Subscribe to this blog and be entered to win this month's book draw or giveaway (sometimes there are surprises).
Learn more about services offered. Sign up for a FREE teacher coaching consultation call. Need help with your To-Do list? Here's a toolkit to take control of it, so it doesn't control you. App endorsements are unpaid. Photos are free from Unsplash. 12/3/2020 0 Comments The Most Fun LearningWhen you think of your own most fun learning experiences, what do you remember? As a young student, I remember fun in learning mean my friends and I were talking and laughing, reading books and talking about them, drawing using smelly Mr, Sketch markers, and blanks sheets of paper - creating with a few simple things. As an adult learner, not much has changed expect now the learning includes the deep discussions and laughter, talking about books, and writing - on the laptop and by hand with a particular book and a set of pens. Can we think for a moment how the fun in learning doesn't really come from the things we hold in our hands but the people we are with and the sharing of ideas? During a season of giving, what fun or gift can you give your learners that is going to add the greatest value? A little comment in the chat box telling them how much you appreciate their thoughts? A wink to let them know you get their joke? A link to an e-book that you know they would love to read? A wish for good health and happiness over the holidays? Simple gestures sometimes get forgotten, thinking they are not enough. But the sharing of a thoughtful appreciation or something to read or listen to can have a profound impact on someone. Subscribe to this blog and be entered to win this month's book draw or giveaway (sometimes there are surprises).
Learn more about services offered. Sign up for a FREE teacher coaching consultation call. Need help with your To-Do list? Here's a toolkit to take control of it, so it doesn't control you. App endorsements are unpaid. Photos are free from Unsplash. 11/25/2020 2 Comments Time for GratefulnessLast week I wrote about slowing down. Slowing down to focus. I hope you all have been able to do that this week. This week I am keeping the blog simple. This week I hope you think about you. This week, I hope you thank yourself for all the goodness you put out into the world. I hope you thank yourself for putting your physical and mental health on the line for others. I hope you thank yourself for educating students and working with your teams in the best way you can. I hope you thank yourself for keeping your close friends and family safe, and for being even more thoughtful than you already are. I hope you thank yourself for being you. There is no one else like you. Subscribe to this blog and be entered to win this month's book draw or giveaway (sometimes there are surprises).
Learn more about services offered. Sign up for a FREE teacher coaching consultation call. Need help with your To-Do list? Here's a toolkit to take control of it, so it doesn't control you. App endorsements are unpaid. Photos are free from Unsplash. 11/19/2020 0 Comments Slow Down, Jazz CatsTeaching life means we are in a state of constant movement. Fast movement. All the time.
Things are urgent. Always urgent. We rush around, flitting through stacks of books, papers, reports, articles, pots-its, digging through packed cupboards, quickly trying to find something we think we need to teach, or give to a parent or admin. This continuous rushing around can negatively impact our effectiveness and shift our focus away from our students. We let all the "emergencies" or urgent things distract us from our students. We feel like this is inevitable and this feeling makes us think that by not filling in paperwork, writing that report, or getting those lessons written just right, that we are less than the best teacher we know we are. It way easier for us to get wound up than it is to slow down and unwind - but the good news is that we can do this. We can refocus on our students AND tend to the other things - but we can only do that if we intentionally to tell ourselves to SLOW DOWN, even just a little.
Slowing down definitely does not mean to stop doing what you need to do. It just means being more intentional about your use of time and thinking about your priorities. 11/12/2020 0 Comments How to Refocus on your learnersWe know it's easy to lose sight of our learners because there's just a lot of stuff in teaching, isn't there? It's sad but true. So how do we refocus on our learners when there is so much in our spaces and on our minds? Is it every really possible? What it comes down to is a strategic use of time and energy when creating a student-centered classroom culture rather than a compliance-driven one. This means that we reconnect with our people first, then get to our to-do lists. A few months ago, I wrote a short post for Achieve the Core on just this idea. Let's take a look at one of these ideas to refocus on our people, without complicating teaching or crowding the teaching space. One thing we can do is let our guard down. What does this mean?
These are just a few simple ideas, things we likely often think about, but maybe do not always actually do for a refocus. Fortunately, this requires no extra planning or resources! It's just a few minutes that can make your student's day. Read the Achieve the Core post, "Refocusing on Your Learners" here.
Subscribe to this blog and be entered to win this month's book draw or giveaway (sometimes there are surprises). Learn more about services offered. Sign up for a FREE teacher coaching consultation call. App endorsements are unpaid. Photos are free. 11/5/2020 0 Comments The Stuff That Clutters TeachingThere's no denying that there's too much stuff that clutters teaching. Let's make a non-exhaustive list.
So, when we have all of this in our periphery, what happens? We lose focus, don't we? Now, ask yourself... why do I teach? .... Your response here, is your priority. Focus on that (them) and think less about the list above. It's not going anywhere and doesn't deserve so much of your attention. Subscribe to this blog and be entered to win this month's book draw.
Learn more about services offered. Sign up for a FREE teacher coaching consultation call. App endorsements are unpaid. 10/29/2020 1 Comment Just the necessitiesI'm guessing you've packed for a weekend trip at some point in your life, and as you've done so, you've told yourself that you were packing light - only bringing what you really need. Then 30 minutes later you zip up the bag, lift it, and think - what the heck did I just pack? This may have been a similar situation when shifting from in-person to remote teaching at the start of the pandemic. You may even be facing this same situation again as schools continue to open and close due to illness rates. You may or may not have had the opportunity to grab a few essentials from your classroom to use to teach from home, at which point you may have felt like you were left in a resource lurch. With this uncertainty, it may be a good idea to have your teaching tools pared down to real essentials, or have those few things set aside at home. The key is to choose items that allow for meaningful learning and engagement, not items that will clutter your workspaces, wherever that is. I'm going to be blunt here and advise to ditch as many tangibles as you can. This is really hard for me to say and advocate for because I do love books and cool artifacts, but the more you can do digitally, the lighter your load will be. With that said, here are some digital and tangible options, keeping light load for both 1. Digital teaching tools: Let's focus on the use of your phone, or even better - a tablet if you have access to one. This may be all you need to engage students in a whole lot of ways. Just plug your device into your computer and share the screen with your students. Here are some things you can do.
2. Tangible teaching tools: If you need a tangible tools box, limit yourself to keep only a small tote box (think - sweater box) of items. Include items such as a few "bang for your buck" books that cover multiple concepts and techniques, a few grade or content specific artifacts, and a small whiteboard and marker. Example: A book like Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson is a solid choice because of the depth and meaning it offers. Concepts include: growing up and coming of age, place, self-discovery, segregation, civil rights, family. Writing techniques: poetic language, imagery, narrative poetry The list of tools could be endless, yet choosing a few simple, no-fuss tools will save your sanity and your space. Try out new apps and replace artifacts in your tangible toolbox over time by setting up a schedule to do so. Read the full ASCD Inservice post here.
Subscribe to this blog and be entered to win this month's book draw. Learn more about services offered. Sign up for a FREE teacher coaching consultation call. App endorsements are unpaid. Free photo by Annie Spratt found on Unsplash. 10/18/2020 0 Comments Keeping Communication Simple
It sounds straightforward, keeping communication simple, doesn't it? Unfortunately, we know that communication is often the complete opposite of straightforward!
In last week's post we walked through a process for keeping our own to-do's simplified and prioritized (opt-in here for free toolkit here). Surely we can do the same with our communication systems, right? In reality though, we know how quickly communication can get muddled. Clear communication with colleagues, parents, students, and our admin teams is crucial for all things to run smoothly and with efficiency. Take a breath and let's break this down. 1. When communicating with colleagues, choose one or two platforms to serve a multitude of needs. You might choose to use WhatsApp messaging for quick messages such as schedule changes, new planning meeting location, etc. These quick messages can get missed, skipped, or lost if you are maneuvering between multiple apps or if they end up in a long email chain. For lengthier messages and attachments, you may choose your school email platform. Do not use personal email. 2. Centralize and streamline communication with parents. Whichever the platform for communicating with them, ensure that they understand the purpose of it. For example, parent newsletters should be sent out through the same system for all classes, such as through the school's management system or a parent email from the teacher. When the system is straightforward, parents know where to find information. 3. Keep your messages to any recipient short and concise. One item per WhatsApp or text, three items in an email to limit information or question overload. 4. Organize your longer messages with a simple structure like a numbering system or Q & A structure, depending on your message purpose. If you have a question to ask, ensure your questions are clearly numbered, or only ask one question per email to ensure your question not skipped. Also, request a reply by date to ensure your desired feedback is received in a timely fashion. Keeping communication streamlined, clear, and concise will reduce frustrations for you and the recipients of your messages. One less frustration to deal with!
Read the full ASCD Inservice post here.
Subscribe to this blog and be entered to win this month's book draw. Learn more about services offered. Sign up for a FREE teacher coaching consultation call. Free photo by Kelly Sikkema found on Unsplash. Want to take control of your to-do list? Get it below. 10/15/2020 0 Comments Taking controL of your to-do'sHow long is your to-do list? Do you feel like it's controlling you? While there are many things that we cannot control, there are also many we can - the piles on our desks, the amount of sugar we intake, and our to-do lists. The to-do list is one of those things that can easily take over our lives, because it doesn't seem to get shorter, and when we do get to cross things off, we end of adding more. That never-ending list can feel like an endless loop of terrible songs on the radio. So, how can we change the way we use a to-do list so it doesn't feel like it's rolling out of control? Let's walk through a short process. 1. Organize your to-do list in chunks, segments, or categories. This may help you alleviate the burden of a long grocery-style list.
2. Determine which segment or chunk is your priority for the day. This may need to be determined by deadlines or by what your daily maintenance tasks tend to be. 3. Give yourself a realistic timeframe when working on your list to help stay focused. Too much time allows for veering, and not enough time can cause additional stress. 4. Give yourself some leeway to do the top 3-5 tasks, depending on what they are and the time required to do them. Again, be realistic with your expectations, but push yourself to complete the prioritized list in your allotted time. 5. Make a process like this a daily routine. You will become more efficient setting up your day, and building the routine will help you stay in control of your to-do's. We let too many things run our lives. Be the person that takes control of their to-do's so they do not control you anymore. Want a FREE download to help you get control out of your to-do list? Sign up below!
Read the full ASCD Inservice post here.
Subscribe to this blog and be entered to win this month's book draw. Learn more about services offered. Sign up for a FREE teacher coaching consultation call. Free photos found on Unsplash. 10/7/2020 0 Comments Limit your intakeIf you read last week's post, you will have had some time to think about the clarity of your goals in meetings, lessons, etc. So let's think about what can impede our goals from becoming fulfilled... our close friend, the media. We are distracted from our center point when we are always watching what's wrong with the world and focussing our attention on things we cannot control. What you CAN control is your media and social media intake. What's worse than continually being exposed to an assortment of media stories that emanate negativity followed by negative comments, and exude people's negative energy? Not much! And guess what? We do this by choice! We are amid a whole smorgasbord of negative, with a tiny side dish of joy. Let's shift this! How can we make that a more joyous smorgasbord rather than one that is full of week-old crab legs and stinky, rotting fruit. In on our original post (link below), my co-author and I shared the importance of choosing a couple of trusted media sources to get your news, and then turn off the rest. Here are some further tips to help you navigate towards positivity: 1. Find one trusted, fact-based news source. Watch or listen for no longer than an hour per day. 2. Limit your time on scrolling Facebook or Instagram, or whatever your pleasure time social media outlet is. These platforms are fun, but it is more than easy to be absorbed into a comparative culture of envy and unnecessary online shopping. So before you open the app, consider your purpose in being there, and limit your time to 30 minutes. 3. Consider what you share from your social media. Think through the messages and vibes you send out to your connections will also affect the feedback you receive in your comments section. Since you have been conscious about what you are intaking, be mindful of what you are outputting. Social media is a reciprocal experience. We feed into it as much as it gets sent out to us, and then some. Free yourself of the control your phone has over your time, and consider using that extra time to watch docu-series, take a walk, or visit an outdoor space to clear some mental space for more important things in your life. Read the full ASCD Inservice post here.
Subscribe to this blog and be entered to win this month's book draw. Learn more about services offered. Sign up for a FREE teacher coaching consultation call. Free photos found on Unsplash. 10/1/2020 0 Comments It's October & we are still "here""Here" as in pandemic and "here" as in the weeds of teaching in the most transformative time in education that any of us have known in our lifetimes. Back in April, a good friend, former colleague, and often co-writer and I wrote a short guest blog post for ASCD Inservice called Create a minimalist mindset in moments of crisis. We wrote this as wee offering of the mindset that each of us hold - that good teaching can occur even when you are left in a lurch with what feels like nothing. Well, it's October, and we seem to still be in this non-stop crisis loop. In our post, we give 5 key ideas to key our minds and spaces tuned in for during crises, because the reaction is to flounder, and it seems like we are still floundering. Let's focus on one of those points: clarify your goal(s). How can you even identify your goal when there's a million things in the ether clouding your vision? Here's how: 1. Think about what your task is, whether it's teaching your class during block 4 (in your classroom or online), or attending a Zoom meeting with your admin or team 2. Now ask yourself: what is my goal here? What's the first thing that comes to mind? Is the goal of teaching your class to focus on getting to know them? Is the goal of your meeting with your team to look at the week's upcoming math lessons? Your answer should come to you pretty quickly and naturally. 3. If you identified your goal easily, awesome. But, what do you had to think too hard to identify your goal? Perhaps rethink the task, meeting, or lesson. You have many people to accommodate and your time is precious, so you want to ensure all the time you spend with your students and colleagues is well-used. Plan lessons that require thoughtful planning but little preparation, lessons that have multiple levels of meaning and impact, and send emails when possible instead of holding meetings. Planning your time with intention is a way to help you reduce the perpetual feeling of band-aiding the next trip-and-fall. Proactive planning as much as possible - as we have learned from earlier this year - rather than reactively could save a lot of us from burning out. Read the full ASCD Inservice post here.
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