During the pandemic, I realized I did a lot of thinking about my work life. I realized that I was trying to do too much, and by doing too much I was not as effective as I could be. Here are 5 things I did that brought me more success.
1) I cut the cord. I used to have all the communication apps on my phone. I realized that I need to create a separation between myself and work. I took all work-related applications off my phone. The only way I can see those things is when I go to my work laptop. I have to be intentional when it comes to checking my work email and school messaging system, but it gives me space between work and home.
2) I keep it simple. I don’t spend a lot of time creating new slides or making complex presentations for my students. I keep it as simple as possible, and I also re-use slides from previous years. I am fortunate to work for a district that does provide some pretty good resources for math and science, so I am able to use that as a good starting point.
3) I prioritize exercise. My preferred way to exercise is riding my bicycle around town, but that option isn’t always available depending on the weather. I try to go out at least three times a week. The extra movement goes a long way in reducing stress and focus.
4) I found out that sleep is very important. I make sure that I get enough sleep a night. I find that the better I sleep the more effective I am the next day. I used to stay up all hours of the night either working or watching TV. I watch way less now than I used to, and if the work doesn’t get done by a certain time, then it doesn’t get done.
5) I set boundaries. I knew when I started teaching it would be a take home job. I am aware of that. However, I can’t spend all of my nights working. I have set days during the week that I work on school stuff. This way I can prioritize my family and rest.
With these 5 things it looks like I am working less, but in reality, I am prioritizing habits that have made me more effective at work and in life.
What do you think of these 5 things? Let me know in the comments.
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