4 Teacher Time Management Pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
Whether you’re a Type A or Type B teacher, whether you qualify as one of those “Pinterest PerfectTeachers” or are lucky to remember to even change the date, this blog is for you. When it comes to time management we could all use a little help. There is simply too much to do and not enough contractual hours in the day to do it all.
I believe that the key to becoming better at anything, in this case managing our time, begins with self awareness and acceptance.
What’s most important is for you to become more self aware and tune into what isn’t working and why, whether or not you want and are willing to change, and then implement strategies that will specifically address your bad habits and help you improve.
Let’s dive into 4 teacher profiles that each depict their own unique struggles with time management. See which one you most identify with and then click on the image to learn some specific strategies that address that type’s time management issues.
Disclaimer: At any time on our teaching journey, depending on what is happening in our personal and work lives, we may identify with more than one of these at the same time. That is perfectly fine! Feel free to click on multiple profiles to learn even more strategies to help you manage your time more effectively. The most important step is becoming self aware.
How am I sure this is me?
You feel like the social aspect of work has become more than just a positive outlet, and instead has become a true distraction that prevents you from using time effectively
Click here to learn about specific strategies to help wonderful social butterflies manage their time more effectively without giving up work relationships.
How am I sure this is me?
The feeling of dread is the primary reason you are not getting things done
Click here to learn about specific strategies to help those feeling particularly overwhelmed and stressed. There is hope that you can manage what is in your control more efficiently and effectively.
How am I sure this is me?
Even though the “extras” gave you some sense of purpose at one point, you recognize that the busyness that accompanies doing all of this is preventing you from doing other responsibilities you have to do, both at work and home.
Click here to learn about specific strategies that will help you determine what is positively contributing to your well-being, versus those things of which you may have to let go.
How am I sure this is me?
In setting your boundaries, you have not felt freedom. Rather, you have felt resentment and bitterness.
Click here to learn useful strategies to find more freedom and joy in the boundaries you choose to set.
In finding ourselves in these characters and in learning strategies that help us manage our time better, our goal should be to become more self aware and work towards positive growth. There is no immediate reversal to these pitfalls and there are many honorable and good things about each one of these characters.
We are simply identifying where we may be slipping and how we can find even more balance and joy in our work. With that in mind, take a look at our “Self Aware” character.
Imagine yourself becoming more like this person.
Take a second to do it even now. Close your eyes and imagine scrolling through this blog, landing on her, and finally identifying more with this character. Wouldn’t that be a dream!
The good news is it is definitely possible, but will take some hard work to get there.
Sometimes I struggle sharing with this platform, worried that I’ve lost any credibility because I’m no longer actively teaching alongside you in that same capacity anymore. But then I remember that I have experience and things to share. Things that I’ve learned through many triumphs and also through many setbacks. I’m glad I can learn from my own failures and have more time to be able to share these strategies with you.
I was this “self aware” character for a few weeks at a time and with a few classes early on, but struggled to find her again as time went on. At one particularly difficult time, I felt I was all of the first 4. I was staying late talking to friends because I lacked any social outlet, I was overwhelmed and putting off necessary tasks, I was signing up for any and everything to feel important and to fill a void, and I ultimately found myself standing at the edge of the canyon of bitterness, frustrated that I couldn’t do it all.
To those of you that resonate with that particular narrative, all I can say is have compassion for yourself.
We are all on a journey. Let’s honor that journey and encourage each other along the way, because we are worth it.
-Erin
