Beep, Beep… I hear the dump truck coming
We are two weeks into the new school year in our neck of the woods. In one sense it seems that we have been back much longer, in another sense the days have flown by with not enough hours in them to do all the things that need to be done and (or I feel that I want to do). I know I am not the only one feeling overwhelmed and exhausted at this time of the year. In my blogfeed (and in real life) I am hearing other voices that express the same kind of frustration with their colleagues and with themselves for not being able to slow down, take care of themselves, just say “No” when other’s are “delegating” their obligations onto you.
by someToast
I heard from someone a new expression for that occasion “Beep, beep… I hear a dump truck coming”. It is time to learn to hear that truck and know when to remind others that you are not willing to be dumped on.
This is especially hard when you don’t want to let the students, colleagues and the school down and others are counting on that from you to bail them out in the last minute.
I read some good advice in the last few days in Staying up in a down world by Coolcatteacher Vicki Davis. She gives some good points on how to stay sane and find some inner balance.
Don’t go on guilt trips
Take time for yourself
Don’t expect others to understand or care
Understand and care about others
Understand yourself
Creatively attack problems
Connect with others
Keep perspective
In Slowing down, pacing yourself by Steve Poling on Leader Talk Blog, I also found some reinforcement, that it is ok to NOT bring work home on the weekend… to not having to feel guilty about “Getting it all done”, when there is just not enough hours in the work day.
If you are like me, you find yourself constantly playing catch up with all the work that goes into school administration. Late night emails? Sure. Bring work home that cuts into your down time? Yup. Trying to play superhero? Too often.
So this weekend, I will stay off the email. I will try not to worry about what I need to do on Tuesday. I won’t check my outlook calendar to preview next week.[ ...] I will slow down. The work will still be there on Tuesday.
Hi Silvia,
Well, simply, thank you for writing this blog post. Even though I also know that I am not the only one running around like a nutter, it is still so very very nice to hear that other people who are much more experienced than me (I’m in my 2nd year of teaching) feel that way too. At least then I know I’m not getting it all completely wrong!
Taking time for yourself is very important, and another thing that goes on that list for me is being realistic about what can and can’t be done and what has to be done and what can be left AND to what standard things need to be done. I’ve got to learn how to not set such ridiculously high standards for myself as I am either disappointed when I don’t meet them straight away, or stop trying cause I think I can’t get there! Regular reality checks needed….
Anyway, I’ll stop babbling on now – thanks again!
In relief,
Jess.
I think way to often that people think that teachers and administrators are spending more time at the beach than working — when the reality is just the opposite! I think it is important to share with teachers and encourage others,just as you have done. I enjoyed this post and the informaiton here! Thanks for just being great!
Vicki