Today First
This time of year becomes overwhelming because we try to live in two times at once. We have our typical focus on our students and what is going on now, but we also start looking forward to August and all that we do not know yet.
Planning is helpful. Worrying is not. Naturally, your mind will wander, but we need to put some fences up to make sure we don’t go overboard. Go to your calendar now and schedule a time in the next 2-3 weeks when you will write out what you know and don’t know about next year. Then set another time shortly after that when you will work to find answers for what you don’t know yet. At each point, set another time until you don’t feel like you need it anymore.
This may not seem much different than what you are doing now, but putting it on your calendar and setting an appointment with yourself gives your brain permission to not have to think about it all the time. If it comes up, you know you have a time when you will be able to focus on just that. Those barriers can give your mind clarity and comfort, and you will be able to stay in the moment more and get today’s work done first.