May 14, 2021
Typically, the end of the year is not easy, but there is a sort of energy that carries us through.
Kids are excited. The weather is changing. Celebrations abound. Again, it typically is not easy, but we tend to ‘glide’ to the end of the year.
My experience with my team and those I support is that the sense of relief and the ‘exhale’ that most tend to experience in May just is not coming this year. Given that, I have two quick suggestions that can hopefully help to carry you through the end of the year.
SELF-CARE
Self-care is a buzzword these days. And, to be honest, I am sincerely grateful for that. However, many people still struggle with what quality self-care actually looks like. While your instinct (or maybe it is just mine) may be a bottle of quality bourbon and some Netflix, that seldom rejuvenates us.
When in doubt with self-care, go back to planting S.E.E.D.S. a concept Julie Adams, Rosa Isiah, and I wrote about in #FullyCharged. These may be simple, but they are the cornerstones of self-care.
SLEEP – Aim for 8 hours.
EXERCISE – Everyone has 20 minutes in a day to raise their heart rate. If you are looking for a push, follow #fitleaders on Twitter and you will find like-minded people to connect with.
EFFICACY – Do you believe you are capable of great things and are you actively working to make yourself one percent better each day? If so, you are rocking this.
DIET – All ‘diets’ work – you just have to execute them. Remember – garbage in – garbage out.
SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS – Connect INTENTIONALLY (put the phone away) with the ones you love the most and find ways to do work that connects to something larger than yourself.
While his self-care does not sound as much fun as screaming out Living on a Prayer as you close down a bar, trust me, it will work to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit much quicker.
E + R = O
I first learned of this equation through the work of Stephen Covey. Many other people have written and talked about it since. This is simple . . . EVENT/EXPERIENCE + RESPONSE/REACTION = OUTCOME. We have control over the response/reaction portion of this equation.
Let me say it again. We ONLY have control over the response/reaction portion of the equation.
So, this should key us in on two important points as we work through these final weeks. First, no matter how stressed, how tired, and how frustrated we are, our RESPONSE will have an impact on those we serve and the relationships we have worked so hard to build. Tread carefully.
Second, if you do not like the outcomes you are receiving, the only way to impact that is by changing your behavior. We can do this – even right now, in a time of incredible stress. But, we can only do this if we take ownership of our own behavior and agency to try to make the end of the year as successful as possible.
THREE PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW
Teresa Lance
Ryan Jackson
Sasha Pudelski
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME SOON
| 21 MAY 2021 Social Media for the School Leader (Online Learning Experience) |
| 25 MAY 2021 Perry, FL – Finishing a Cultural Assessment and Action Planning Process |
| 01 JUNE 2021 Pikeland, IL – End of Year Keynote |
| 01 JUNE 2021 Manage Your Time or Time Will Manage You (Online Learning Experience) |
MORE OF MY MUSINGS
- My Message for Teacher Appreciation Week
- Edutopia – Leading with Integrity
- TeachBetter Team – 5 Social Media Tips for All Educators
- ASCD – Four Must-Do’s For Empowered Principals
Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter.
It would mean the world to me if you could share it with one person each week. We all get one chance to live a life of passion and purpose. Help me maximize my one at-bat.