With September over the craziness is supposed to subside. Correct?
Not so much around here.
I am involved in an online project with George Couros (@gcouros) called School Administrator Virtual Mentorship Program (#SAVMP). When we signed up for this program, we agreed that we would reflect and blog about these reflections. I have not done so. I have not blogged since the end of August (the final day of my summer holiday). It’s not that I don’t value blogging, because I do! Definitely! Blogging has been an important part of who I have become as an educator and leader in education.
But…
Work has taken over.
It has been difficult to find balance: to find the important time to reflect on what is going on and what I am learning. Believe me, I am learning a great deal – every. single. day. The difficulty is that I often find myself working on things for work until the wee hours of the night. These things that I am working on have to get done. Don’t they? They have to take priority over all else. Don’t they?
Just typing this has made me reflect on what I have been doing. No, these things do not HAVE to get done. There really is nothing more professionally important than continuing my professional journey – through connecting with amazing educators online, learning from so many dedicated educators, blogging and sharing. Yes, of course, relationships trump all else, but those things I’ve been working on until the wee hours of the morning really aren’t THE most important thing. Really. In the grand scheme of things.
I value the relationships I’ve built and have been building online and I need to get back to that place again. Being inspired by so many amazing educators brings life into what I am already doing. It gives me energy, great ideas, and excites me. I need to get back at connecting and learning with my PLN. I also need to get back on my self-reflection horse and start blogging again. Regularly.
Thanks for listening.
It's All About Learning 
Great post. Reflecting makes us better as teachers and people (all that that encompasses).
Hi Faige,
Yes, you are right! It is important to take time for this meaningful task. We must make time for it and not just do it when we have the time. You know?
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Tia
Hi Tia:
I totally get what you mean by being pulled in so many directions. I, too, need to spend more time writing and sharing. As important as reflecting is, I seem to put it on the back-burner more often than I should. Don’t be too hard on yourself as you blog and share often. Thanks for this post.
I know, right? How come some of the very most important things are shelved or put on the back-burner? I feel pressured to do certain things, NOW, instead of doing what is really important. Apparently, this is something I need to continue to work on.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Tia
Thanks for sharing, Tia. It’s a relief to realize that others are feeling the same way we are. You share so much already, I hope you do find the time to connect and reflect again… and not spend so much time on the “do this NOW” lists (which are never-ending!) If we’re not inspired and challenged, what’s the point of the day to day work? Good luck!