We are human beings not human doings. Let’s pay attention to the role we play in our own misery. And meet ourselves with a little grace too.
Over-Functioning
The Art of Prioritization
I’m sharing all of this because Mike also reminded us of something else quite compelling about good teaching: it doesn’t just improve academic skills. The research shows that it also grows non-academic skills. The very skills or attributes found in the Portrait of Graduate that many schools and states are creating and adopting.
At Least
Now before you start to think that I’m gaslighting myself, let me give you an example from today. I woke up this morning and took comfort in my weekend routine. I made my breakfast, put some electrolytes in my water, made my cold brew concoction in my glass jar, took my supplements, and changed into my gym clothes.
No Small Jobs
There are no small jobs in a school, and we need every professional to make each day a success. If you have a moment to thank someone in your school who goes above and beyond on work that is too often overlooked, please take the time to notice and express your appreciation. You truly never know how much someone needs to hear it.
Switching Up Routines
So, as we head into this week, what’s one little switch up that you could make? Perhaps it’s grabbing coffee from a different spot or driving a different route to work. Maybe it’s stepping outside to eat the lunch you packed or choosing to play a game with loved ones instead of doom scrolling on your phone for an hour.
Bad Moments Aren’t
There is so much good in this world and in our school communities. Look for it. It won’t take you long to find it. And when you find it, name it, and celebrate it.
Sunday Scaries
Let’s acknowledge these thoughts, write them down if needed, and set them to the side because tomorrow will bring its own worries and all we really have is right now
Look Again
It’s amazing how quickly our brains decide that what we’ve seen is all that can be. What we’ve seen online. What we’ve seen or heard for ourselves. What others have told us. And in a world full of distractions, what we truly see or hear can be even further limited
A Little Space for Joy
Make space for the joy. If we lose this kind of exposure, how will we evolve and grow? How will our kids evolve and grow? But most importantly, what if we don’t know we love something, and we miss an opportunity to find out?
Deeply Human People
I had the honor and pleasure of writing on George Couros’s weekly “three things” newsletter this week. The heart of what I shared is that we really don’t need perfect people working in our schools. There are no perfect people. But we do need more deeply human people.
