Each Saturday join Ruth Ayres to share and celebrate events from your week. Looking for small celebrations has certainly improved my outlook on my week. For that, I am certainly grateful to Ruth and all of you who choose to celebrate with us.
This week I have a somewhat-selfish-celebration. Today I celebrate personal days!
Eleven days ago...not that I am counting...my washer went out. The repairman came a week ago Friday and of course had to order a part. They called on Monday and said someone could be here on Wednesday to fix it. My husband was going to be out to of town, so that left me to take care of it.
I had seriously been thinking about taking a personal day to get "caught up." I am at that point in the school year when I feel like the walls are crushing me to the point where I am overwhelmed I keep trying to get more and more done in the same twenty-four I always have, but find myself getting farther and farther and behind. I knew I needed a time-out.
I typically do not like to miss school, but when this opportunity came to take a day off, I immediately took it!
Wednesday morning I slept in...well it was only 7:30, but that is sleeping in for a school day. I ate a leisurely breakfast while reading blogs and the newspaper. I took a long shower with no one hollering their need to get into the bathroom or rushing me to get out.
I read somewhere that if your to-do list is so long, you will get better results if you make a list of three things, complete those, and then add another three.
So, at 9:15 I finally settled in with my list of three "to-do's." I created list after list and accomplished so much. Math facts graded, data tracked and analyzed, writing prompts scored, assessments created, plans made.
Although the part did not fix my washer, and I ended up buying a new one that day (not part of my celebration!) I went back to school on Thursday refreshed and less-stressed, and with a much smaller to-do list.
So, today I celebrate personal days!
Have a great week and may you be blessed with many celebrations!
I read somewhere that if your to-do list is so long, you will get better results if you make a list of three things, complete those, and then add another three.
So, at 9:15 I finally settled in with my list of three "to-do's." I created list after list and accomplished so much. Math facts graded, data tracked and analyzed, writing prompts scored, assessments created, plans made.
Although the part did not fix my washer, and I ended up buying a new one that day (not part of my celebration!) I went back to school on Thursday refreshed and less-stressed, and with a much smaller to-do list.
So, today I celebrate personal days!
Have a great week and may you be blessed with many celebrations!
I've never done it, but one of my colleagues plans the personal days before school even begins. She says it forces her to do it, otherwise they might never occur. It is such a luxury, or seems like it. So glad yours was good despite the washer stuff! I like the idea of the 3 things, too!
ReplyDeleteYour celebration made me smile. It IS that time of the year, isn't it? The point where it feels like we will be suffocated by everything that isn't done. I could feel the stress lifting from you as I read your post. I'm glad you had time to refuel. (You'll need it to catch up on the laundry!)
ReplyDeleteShine on,
Ruth
I can relate to your feeling of getting behind. This year the feeling started even before school. I am glad that the one day off helped you to get things done. I should try the list of three.
ReplyDeleteGetting farther and farther behind, we all know that feeling. I like the list of three - great suggestion for this day of grading that is ahead of me. Let's see...lit packets, theme assessment, character traits chart followed by some time to read and a new list of three.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we just need a little time to ourselves. I'm glad you were able to take the time, however, the reason is too bad. I know a new washer may be in our future too.
ReplyDeleteI must try the three to-dos. Perhaps that way I could get more done as well! I am glad you enjoyed your day off!
ReplyDeleteHow great that you were able to get so much done on your day off! I love the idea of listing three things! I'm going to try it tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne, thank you for sharing. I was just sitting looking at the papers on my desk, wondering which to begin on. I hadn't heard about groups of 3 lists. I can do that and it will help! I'm feeling the nudge to take a personal day myself. Lots of company coming at Thanksgiving and I feel like I'm behind already. Thank you also for your kind comments on my blog. I am feeling a connection. :)
ReplyDelete