Where Do You Come in Your To-Do List?

If you looked at your to-do list right now, where would you fall?

Somewhere after the emails, the photocopying, the lesson planning, IT issue, your kids.… or not on it at all?

If you’re like most school staff I know, the answer is somewhere between “Not even close” and “Does stretching while laminating count?”

Here’s the reality. A 2022 NEU survey found that 44% of teachers plan to leave the profession within 5 years, citing workload and burnout. Is that you? Is that someone you know? On your team? Could it be?

This is a serious problem, and we need to tackle it. It needs a double pronged approach. That means each of us needs to take personal responsibility to take action, but also schools need a culture shift before it’s too late.

During lockdown, I was the one taking parent calls about key worker places. I loved being kind and helpful, but when the rules continued to say NO to most pupils for keyworker spaces and parents started begging, crying and shouting (and I totally understood why), I started to internalise the stress and pressure

After one heartbreaking call at 5pm, I put the phone down, walked into the office... and lost the vision in one eye.That night, the migraine hit.And the next day, I went back in.Because I didn’t see myself on the list either.

For many teachers and leaders, we don’t even make the list. But here’s the hard truth: when we constantly come last, everything else eventually suffers, that’s our wellbeing, patience, creativity, and joy. And our health of course!

I recently completed an exercise while I planned some training for a staff group. I wrote 6 boxes in a row and filled in what my priorities were. Without thinking about it, my immediate response was: 1. My kids 2. My work 3. My friends 4. My dad 5. Managing my energy 6. God

Well, when I stopped to reflect on these, in fact, God comes first, no question for me. However, where do I come? What does this say about how I manage my day, my priorities, my expectations, my time? I do go to the gym frequently (OK, truth time, I do a class then go and lie in the jacuzzi!), but how else should I be putting myself first?

What would this look like for you? Try it. 

I recently did an exercise while planning some training for a staff group. I drew six boxes in a row and filled in what I believed my priorities were. Without thinking too much, my immediate response was:

1. My kids

2. My work

3. My friends

4. My dad

5. Managing my energy

6. God

When I paused to reflect on this, I realised that, actually, God comes first, without question, for me. Why hadn’t I written this as No.1? I don’t plan this time in as it’s part of my routine when I wake and go to bed. Does this indicate the power of the routine? But then I wondered: where do I come into this? Why is work coming over friends? Should it? Certainly not always!

What does this list say about how I manage my day, my priorities, my expectations, and my time?

I do go to the gym fairly often (OK, truth time, I do a class and then go lie in the jacuzzi!), but how else should I be putting myself first?

What would this look like for you? Try it.

In fact, 91% of people say better time management reduces their work stress, and 12 minutes of daily planning can save up to 2 hours of lost time. What if some of that time was spent refuelling you?

“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”Stephen Covey

Even five minutes for yourself, quiet coffee, deep breath, daylight, can change your day.

“Self-care is giving the world the best of you, not what's left of you.” – Katie Reed

So tomorrow, before the chaos kicks in, ask:“Where am I on today’s list?”Then write your name at the top, and mean it.