Today’s Challenge: Focus on Where You Are
Day 4 of 80 Days of Excellence
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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I wish my phone had three “do not disturb” settings. One is the regular, turn everything off except those few important family members. From 8 pm to 7 am, that is on now. However, I think many of us have a problem focusing both at work and at home. So, I wish that I had a “work only” mode for my phone and that all social media would be blocked. Finally, I wish I had a “home only” mode for my phone so social media would get through but all texts and work apps would no longer be awake.
The actress Carrie Fisher said,
“What I always wanna tell young people now: Pay attention. This isn’t gonna happen again. Rather than try to understand it as it’s going along, have it go along for a while and then understand it.”
Focus is something we all need.
I think many times I suffer from “creep.” Home life can creep into my daily work. But also, work can creep into my home life. So, instead of giving either place my entire attention, I give less than 100% sometimes.
So, in a pursuit of greater excellence, I think it is healthy to focus on where we are at this moment. If what we’re doing right now is so important, it is important enough to give our entire attention.
When I’m at work, I think it is ethical to focus on the students in front of me. My school is paying me and even more so, I’ve made my commitment to teach. I’ve given my word that I’ll do a good job. How can I do a good job at something if my feet are up on my desk or if I’m mindlessly surfing social media.
(This is why I use a scheduling tool, you might see me tweet during the day, but 99% of the time, I’ve scheduled it before the day ever began.)
Parents can trust that when I’m at school, I’m not going to be on social media. I’m going to focus on their children, my students.
But when I’m at home, I need to focus on my own children and husband and family. Additionally, of course, I also have the podcast and blog, and of course, this new 80 Days of Excellence endeavor of which I’m on day four with this post.
Being where you are
Yesterday after church, my son drove me home. He’s still got his learners but is just about time for his driver’s license test. You’d better believe that on a cold dark night, he had my 100% attention.
But does he have my attention at the supper table?
Does he have that same attention when he comes to my office with a question?
He deserves my focus, but does he have it?
Do you focus?
So, today, on our fourth day of excellence together. I challenge all of us to focus.
Focus on being where we are.
At work, be totally at work. Focus completely on getting your job done. Be excellent and give it all you have. Stay away from social media unless you need it for your job. Leave social for home time.
But when it is time to leave work, focus completely on your home. Socialize on social media if you like. But don’t check email for work. Be fully present at home.
When you’re having dinner tonight, give your fellow diners your total attention.
So, today, let’s focus on focus. Let’s be truly present where we are and tune out where we’re not. Distracted driving is dangerous but so is distracted living.
Focus and pursue excellence today!
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via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com. Please also check out my show for busy teachers, Every Classroom Matters and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube.
