tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702389488694219828.post4691813150160077136..comments2013-09-21T01:13:26.469-07:00Comments on jd 24/7: Do Over: 5 Things I'll Do DifferentlyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09750276920214649448noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702389488694219828.post-14670381205596711722013-08-17T07:20:43.541-07:002013-08-17T07:20:43.541-07:00Thanks for taking the time to read and comment And...Thanks for taking the time to read and comment Andrew. That is a great quote -- I am going to hang on to that one to share!<br /><br />~ JeffAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09750276920214649448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702389488694219828.post-65321128732877967892013-08-17T03:55:56.500-07:002013-08-17T03:55:56.500-07:00Thank you for sharing. Great reflective piece! Be...Thank you for sharing. Great reflective piece! Best of luck this school year. I thought of this quote while reading your post. "If you don't have time to do things right when will you have time to do them again."Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10018420057474934052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702389488694219828.post-77731209412409680242013-08-10T19:37:04.209-07:002013-08-10T19:37:04.209-07:00Hey David,
Love your idea of scheduling those thi...Hey David,<br /><br />Love your idea of scheduling those things that are truly important in your calendar. I have been doing that too, and find that it really makes a difference. To some degree, I think we have to get comfortable with never being quite "caught up." I find that I always have things to do, and as you said "our best can always be better." I think the key lies in setting some limits -- doing our best within those limits -- but also taking the time to step away, refresh, and be prepared to go at it again another day. Sounds reasonable, but it's a challenge. <br /><br />Look forward to learning with you this school year. Thanks for your insights and support.<br /><br />Jeff Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09750276920214649448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702389488694219828.post-81114956163626052492013-08-10T19:30:14.379-07:002013-08-10T19:30:14.379-07:00Thanks for the comment Katie. I couldn't agre...Thanks for the comment Katie. I couldn't agree with you more. I want my writing to be genuine -- reflective of what I believe as an educator. For awhile last year, I just wasn't in a good place to be writing. Appreciate your comments and support. Hope you have a great school year!<br /><br />JeffAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09750276920214649448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702389488694219828.post-30142293085812530182013-08-10T07:20:29.324-07:002013-08-10T07:20:29.324-07:00Jeff,
Thanks for not only sharing my post, but als...Jeff,<br />Thanks for not only sharing my post, but also for adding value to the learning conversation. That's the beauty of blogging... Sharing ideas and then getting wisdom from the ether.<br />Re: #1 & #5<br />I am actually ADDING a couple things to my calendar:<br />1. Dedicated time with students & teachers<br />2. Time for exercise<br />It seems that no matter how busy I am, I manage to make all my calendar appointments so I'm going to add some professional and personal priorities to my calendar. <br /><br />I have yet to write my Darren Kuropatwa inspired 'Perpetual Beta' blog post, but it shares a common theme with this post. 'Doing Differently' based on a reflective practice is key to success... It is also a curse in that 'good enough' is never good enough, and our best can always be better. I'm not sure how to 'calendar' this yet, but measuring and appreciating our successes (even the small ones) is a mental health issue that I think many of us need to work on. Life is too short to constantly feel like 'things need to be better' and not feeling inspired that we are doing the best we can with what we are dealing with... And so are our students and colleagues. <br />Think I'll stop here and use that last thought in a post that's waiting to be written - thanks for the inspiration! David Trusshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00519890493979141068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702389488694219828.post-30378977250782182052013-08-09T13:51:39.195-07:002013-08-09T13:51:39.195-07:00There must have been something in the water last s...There must have been something in the water last school year. I also took a pretty long break from writing. Sometimes I think it's ok to not learn so publicly. I am also inspired by you starting a new blog (though I really enjoyed Molehills). It seems to go with your fresh start theme. Don't worry about audience. The most important thing is that you are processing and applying your learnings. If someone else benefits from this...so much the better!@klhellermanhttp://www.theteachinggameblog.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702389488694219828.post-52334101662577396892013-08-03T08:26:31.188-07:002013-08-03T08:26:31.188-07:00Johnny...thanks for taking the time to read and co...Johnny...thanks for taking the time to read and comment. Your suggestion is a fantastic addition, and another personal struggle. I think giving up control is often an issue of trust (i.e. I have a particular way I want it done), but as I new principal, I often avoid giving too much to staff in fear of overloading them. I really need to be certain that I am not underestimating them, and as you mentioned, building leadership capacity in others. Thanks again!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09750276920214649448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702389488694219828.post-51262431409443839692013-08-01T22:30:29.309-07:002013-08-01T22:30:29.309-07:00Jeff
I really appreciate the vulnerability in your...Jeff<br />I really appreciate the vulnerability in your wise words of reflection. I have also struggled with many of items you have listed and you have provided a great reminder for me. I would offer a 6th point that has worked for me as well - give up control and trust others. This is always easier said than done for me but in the end it provides growth to those who have been empowered and a healthy limit to what I can do. Best of luck this school year and look forward to connectingJ Bevacqua @jvbevacquahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04310639769232238058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702389488694219828.post-77170891602190451322013-08-01T20:20:28.308-07:002013-08-01T20:20:28.308-07:00Hey Aaron, thanks for the comment. Unfortunately,...Hey Aaron, thanks for the comment. Unfortunately, I think focusing on what is important is one of the biggest challenges faced by school administrators. What I am finding is that if I don't put those important things first, they get lost in the minutiae (paperwork, emails, etc.). The longer I do this, the more willing I am to miss some deadlines, or drop some things, in order to spend more time in classrooms, and with students. We will see how that works out :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09750276920214649448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702389488694219828.post-29294136410379307762013-08-01T09:09:29.578-07:002013-08-01T09:09:29.578-07:00Hi Jeff, great list. I know I've read it befor...Hi Jeff, great list. I know I've read it before but I think we can all benefit from #5, Filling the Day with What's Important. Too often I find my day comes to a close and I can't recall what I've accomplished. That's likely the case because I ended up filling my day with a bunch of small rocks instead of the big rocks that should be priorities for the day. Thanks for posting. It's a great reminder for me also.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08329754143774919281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702389488694219828.post-37766736577139649332013-07-24T05:17:44.565-07:002013-07-24T05:17:44.565-07:00Bill...as always, I appreciate your encouragement ...Bill...as always, I appreciate your encouragement and support. Love your strategy of being at the school gates. I certainly notice that my stress level decreases dramatically when I am out on campus with students -- there is a real purpose in that. <br /><br />I'm not sure I am done with Molehills out of Mountains -- but thought I would try something new to get back in the swing of things. We will see how it goes.<br /><br />Have a great first day. Hope our paths cross soon.<br /><br />JeffAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09750276920214649448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3702389488694219828.post-85923053451531600202013-07-24T04:41:36.644-07:002013-07-24T04:41:36.644-07:00You have an audience of one now, Friend!
Glad yo...You have an audience of one now, Friend! <br /><br />Glad you are writing again -- and looking forward to hearing more about your attempts to remain focused on the right things. <br /><br />That's a lesson we can ALL learn.<br /><br />BTW: My strategy for this is to stand at the front entrance to our school at dismissal time EVERY DAY. Former students -- kids who I really care about -- find me there and are so excited to see me. Their joy reminds me that I DO matter -- and their connections just before I leave can pick me up no matter how crappy the day has been.<br /><br />Looking forward to watching this blog grow...even though I LOVED the title of your old blog!<br /><br />Rock on, <br />BillBill Ferriterhttp://blog.williamferriter.comnoreply@blogger.com