What do you do if your lesson planning deadlines are overwhelming?

Remember to seek help from your school community, work efficiently , use available resources, right up all your deadlines in order of submission and work your way through the list..

As a teacher, I firmly believe in the mantra "work smarter, not harder." One way to achieve this is by reaching out to my colleagues for support. Collaborating on lesson plans not only divides the workload but also introduces fresh perspectives and ideas. Perhaps a fellow educator has resources they're willing to share, or maybe we can team up to tackle different aspects of a lesson plan. By pooling our expertise and resources, we can create more dynamic and effective lessons while also lightening the individual workload.

I've learned the importance of not reinventing the wheel. Sometimes, utilizing pre-made worksheets or interactive digital tools can significantly enhance the learning experience for students while also easing my workload. It's crucial to be kind to myself and recognize that there are already many valuable resources available. By incorporating these into my lessons, I can focus more on facilitating meaningful learning experiences and less on creating materials from scratch.

One strategy I find helpful is to allocate specific blocks of time each day dedicated to particular tasks, rather than allowing time to overwhelm me. By setting aside focused periods for specific activities, I can prioritize tasks, maintain productivity, and work efficiently towards meeting deadlines.

I concur with Dr. Donna Velliaris regarding the effectiveness of timeboxing as a method for accomplishing tasks. This approach proves particularly beneficial for enhancing productivity, especially during periods of low motivation. By allocating tasks into 25-minute blocks, one can organize their schedule efficiently, ensuring ample time for breaks. This technique aligns well with the Pomodoro method, facilitating regular intervals of rest and work. (I use a pomodoro plugin for firebox but there are a lot of pomodoro tools for free)

Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup. Staying flexible allows you to handle unexpected situations without compromising the quality of education you offer. It's vital to prioritize your mental health alongside meeting deadlines, as both are equally important.

In Germany, there's a saying: "Grass does not grow faster by pulling on it." This implies that everything has its own timing. In our dynamic world, it's crucial to cultivate agility to swiftly adapt to numerous unforeseen outcomes. As stress research indicates, the perspective one adopts plays a significant role: Does one view a problem as a burden or a challenge? Thus, there lies a significant opportunity within one's mindset.