Have you ever felt like things were moving too fast? Like things weren’t getting your full attention? Like you were overwhelmed and didn’t know where to start?
Three “strategies” I’ve employed this year to help me “manage” the workload have made a difference in keeping up with my whirlwind of a world.
The first mental saver has been placed email efficacy. My email in box is my todo list. If I have 30 emails in there, that means there are 30 items that require some kind of action, which will stress me out completely. I’ve doubled the amount of folders I have, because I am now sorting them into clearly named folders, as soon as I read them. It makes it so much easier for me to find things if I’ve filed them appropriately. I’ve added sub folders to help! As an example, within my 4th grade folder, I’ve got a field trip folder & a parent contact folder. No more “missing” or “where I’d put that” searching! I’ve also started marking items that require a follow up within my inbox. Things I may have sent out but need to make sure we’re taken care of, I change to a different color using the “categories” feature within our email system. At a glance, my inbox is kept current and color coded so I can immediately evaluate what needs to be done.
The second mental saver is the Erin Condren planner to my plate. Rather than try to articulate the greatness that is this planner, just watch this.
While it may seem contradictory to “add” something to help me simplify, this planner has made a huge difference. Our campus calendar can get so crammed, sometimes with activities that don’t involve me, so I needed a place where my responsibilities were clear & detailed. Even the items that did require effort on my part on the campus calendar didn’t have “all” the details I needed. This planner solved that problem. Want one of your very own? This link will get ya $10 bucks off! Merry Christmas to you! You can also sign up for her newsletter right now and get an additional 10% off! #everylittlebit
Last but not least, prioritize a to-do list. I keep a stack of the longer lined post it pads on my desk at all times. As I’m asked to do something or have a project in place, I add it to a list I have going. Task completed? Cross it off. Decide there are multiple steps/tasks to a project? Create a new page. One of my mental stressors is that nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I have something that needs to be completed. Writing it down, identifying what needs to be done to get it completed, and keeping track of my progress takes the stress level way down. When my list gets ragged, I transfer it over to a fresh new page and seriously, it takes away my feelings of things being unmanageable.
These stick on my desk next to my keyboard but I can always stick them on a notebook/binder if I am heading into a meeting. It keeps it visible, helps me keep it current, and gives me that oh so goo feeling I get when i get to cross it off! 🙂 It’s the simple things people!
Education is hard enough these days. Not letting our organization get out of control is an easy way to regroup, refocus, and recommit.
What strategies help you stay focused?
Comment below and enter to win your very own multi pack of post its pads courtesy of Office Depot!
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Amber
Jessica Cabeen says
Shutting my door-it is amazing what 20 minutes of uninterrupted time can do to your todo list! And then gives me the opportunity to be out and about with less stress.
Misty says
Turning off the lights. The bright lights makes me more stressed. Having music helps out a lot.
Tom Stoner says
I use Google Keep as my to do list. That way I can access it from my PC at school, my Chromebook, or my phone wherever I might be. I will star items in my email as well to prioritize the emails I need to do sooner than later. I also use boomerang for gmail to have emails return to me if it is not something I need to do right away.
Misty says
Turning off the lights (bright lights make me frazzled) and blasting my music!
Amy BICKERSTAFF says
I have a notebook with schedules, contact info, checkpoints, teacher logins, district directory, outside groups using gym contacts, sub list, etc. I look in it at least 3 times a day. It’s great to have it all in one spot!
Beth says
The bullet journaling method is really keeping me on track this year.
Christie Watts says
I have been trying to get up thirty minutes earlier than usual to get little things done around the house. I can then go to school and start my day off right and on time! 🙂
Courtney says
Sortd has changed my email to do list/inbox. It is so awesome..Check it out. http://www.sortd.com/
Matt Lawson says
You had me at Sticky Notes…
Kristi williams says
I use my phone calendar to stay organized, but I’m so tempted by Erin Condren! The rest of my organization includes touching items as few times as possible. Once I find a to do item, I try to complete it asap. Google Drive has also been a lifesaver for me, lists and folders that I can access from both work computers, my phone and from home!