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00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 Welcome to Your Morning Boost, your daily leadership advice to help you lead your school community.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 Brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services,
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 where together we are transforming education, one leader at a time.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:16 Now here's your host, Adam Bush.
00:00:17 --> 00:00:20 Good morning, school leaders. Welcome to Your Morning Boost.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:24 Happy Thursday and happy National Hard Candy Day.
00:00:24 --> 00:00:28 Feel free to raid the candy jar on your desk that I know many of us have.
00:00:28 --> 00:00:30 And today, you don't even have to feel guilty about it.
00:00:30 --> 00:00:34 Today, we're going to dive into a topic that is top of mind for many of us as
00:00:34 --> 00:00:38 the holiday break approaches, and that is staying focused and staying productive.
00:00:39 --> 00:00:43 I know as the holiday season comes along, it's very challenging to stay focused.
00:00:43 --> 00:00:48 I spend a good deal of time thinking about the things I will do next week when no one is here.
00:00:49 --> 00:00:52 Finally, people will just leave me alone. I'm going to get all of this work done.
00:00:52 --> 00:00:55 And if I spend all the time planning for next week and the week after,
00:00:56 --> 00:01:00 what am I actually doing today? So trying to stay focused and stay productive,
00:01:00 --> 00:01:02 it does take a little bit of planning on my part.
00:01:03 --> 00:01:07 Sometimes the upcoming break actually gives us an unnecessary deadline for many
00:01:07 --> 00:01:08 of the things that we're doing right now.
00:01:08 --> 00:01:13 So to avoid being unproductive, here are a few tips to help us stay on track.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 These are in three categories.
00:01:15 --> 00:01:19 Number one is time management. Number two is mental health. And number three
00:01:19 --> 00:01:21 are some just general tips for the workplace.
00:01:21 --> 00:01:25 So when we're talking about time management tips, obviously one thing that we're
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 going to have to do right now is to prioritize tasks.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:32 Like I said, we do have that unnecessary deadline that we create for ourselves,
00:01:32 --> 00:01:33 likely at the end of the week.
00:01:33 --> 00:01:37 So prioritize the tasks that we need to get accomplished before then.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:40 Base those on the urgency and importance, obviously. Make sure we can cross
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 those few things off our list.
00:01:42 --> 00:01:45 This might also be a time where we really need to work on time blocking.
00:01:45 --> 00:01:49 Specific time blocks for specific tasks that helps maintain focus.
00:01:49 --> 00:01:52 I know I wear a lot of hats in the district I work for.
00:01:52 --> 00:01:57 I literally have to block out times for each one of those hats in my calendar.
00:01:57 --> 00:02:02 Otherwise, I just get just too caught up in everything to try to actually get anything done.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:05 That's kind of like the Pomodoro technique. That's another one.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:08 If you're not familiar with that, the purpose of this is to work in short,
00:02:08 --> 00:02:13 focus, burst, 20, 25 minutes, follow that by a five-minute break.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:16 So we're going to work really hard for 25 minutes on something and then get
00:02:16 --> 00:02:17 away for it for five minutes.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:22 If you happen to be in your office, get out, go see what's going on around you.
00:02:22 --> 00:02:28 Great opportunity to refocus ourselves and then come back ready to dive back into the work again.
00:02:28 --> 00:02:32 Now, the second set of tips was on mental health. Now is a good time to practice
00:02:32 --> 00:02:36 some mindfulness and meditation. It helps reduce stress. It helps us improve
00:02:36 --> 00:02:41 our focus and, again, is going to help us to be more productive when we are
00:02:41 --> 00:02:43 doing our work. Healthy habits right now.
00:02:43 --> 00:02:47 Sleep is hard to get sometimes, especially when the days are getting shorter
00:02:47 --> 00:02:49 and nights are getting longer.
00:02:49 --> 00:02:52 We know we hear that all the time. So really focus on making sure that sleep
00:02:52 --> 00:02:57 is a priority for us, our nutrition is a priority for us, and don't forget about
00:02:57 --> 00:03:01 exercise. It helps boost our energy levels. It also helps boost our cognitive function.
00:03:01 --> 00:03:03 Again, it's going to make us better leaders if we are healthier.
00:03:04 --> 00:03:08 Kind of like the Pomodoro technique we were talking about before, taking short breaks.
00:03:08 --> 00:03:11 Just don't forget that part. Not only does it help us get focused,
00:03:11 --> 00:03:12 it also helps our mental health.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:16 Just get a chance to just go catch up with somebody that you haven't talked to in a while.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:19 Could be about the upcoming holidays. Could be about anything.
00:03:19 --> 00:03:22 Just shut off work for a second. It's okay. It's going to help us avoid burnout.
00:03:23 --> 00:03:24 Last set of tips is on the workplace.
00:03:25 --> 00:03:27 Here we're talking about being very clear with communication.
00:03:27 --> 00:03:31 We want to effectively communicate with our colleagues and our supervisor right now.
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 Obviously, we have expectations. We do have deadlines we need to hit.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:40 And with everything else going on, it's really hard for everybody to keep these things in line.
00:03:40 --> 00:03:44 So working together to make sure that we do hit the deadlines we need to hit
00:03:44 --> 00:03:48 and get the work done we need to get done, but also so that everybody understands
00:03:48 --> 00:03:52 it's okay to let some stuff slide till we get to next week if it's just not
00:03:52 --> 00:03:53 that high on the priority list.
00:03:53 --> 00:03:57 This is honestly a good time for you to kind of clean up your workspace too.
00:03:57 --> 00:04:01 It's a good opportunity for us to pop into the storage room and do a little
00:04:01 --> 00:04:05 organization, do a little focus. It's work that needs to be done.
00:04:05 --> 00:04:09 You might think, why would I want to do that right now when I have all of this other stuff going on?
00:04:09 --> 00:04:13 Again, it comes down to that priority. If the work doesn't have to happen right
00:04:13 --> 00:04:15 now, then don't. It's okay.
00:04:15 --> 00:04:19 It's a good opportunity to change what we're doing at the workplace.
00:04:20 --> 00:04:23 That way we can stay focused when we need to be focused. Again,
00:04:24 --> 00:04:25 the breaks are important.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:28 Then the other part here is just to make sure that you have some realistic goals.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 If we're feeling overwhelmed, a lot of times the goals that we have ahead of
00:04:32 --> 00:04:38 us or the things we want to try to do just become so overwhelming that it's
00:04:38 --> 00:04:42 impossible to do any of the tasks that we actually need to get accomplished. So be realistic.
00:04:42 --> 00:04:46 Do the work that we can do. But again, don't push ourselves too much.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:50 A few strategies. We can implement these. We can stay focused. We can stay productive.
00:04:51 --> 00:04:55 Even when a holiday season is approaching, just remember, take care of yourself
00:04:55 --> 00:04:58 and enjoy this well-deserved break you have coming ahead.
00:04:59 --> 00:05:03 Have a great Thursday. Go out there and lead your team, and we will talk with you again tomorrow.
00:05:03 --> 00:05:08 You have been listening to your Morning Boost by AWB Education in partnership
00:05:08 --> 00:05:09 with Grundmeyer Leader Services.
00:05:10 --> 00:05:14 You can find out more about our services by clicking on the links in the description.
00:05:15 --> 00:05:19 Remember, you are doing this vital job that only a few can do.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:23 So until next time, thank you for your service to your community.