| I realised a little while ago when really finding out about mindfulness and spending time working with my #bulletjournal just how much time I had been wasting procrastinating and doing other things. So here are my top 15 (which link to my new weekly spread.)  |  |
- Don't reinvent the wheel! Or to put it another way... If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
- It doesn't have to be perfect, the last 5% of effort and 20% of time often produces little results
- Use your "PPA" or downtime effectively.... and that means get the work done, don't gossip in the staffroom over a coffee or browse the internet....it really is amazing how much time it can devour.
- Manage students expectations - develop a routine in the classroom, that way students have an idea about what to do before you ask. For example get them to hand out books and check out/check in equipment.
- Aim to finish the main teaching part of the lesson 10 mins before the bell - this gives time for a plenary and tidying up before the next class, so you aren't rushing.
- Put timers on tasks, there are loads out there, it keeps both you and the students on track.
- Keep to your lesson plan, yes it is important at times to go off on a tangent to answer questions, but make sure you cover the lesson outcomes/objectives.
- Tidy that desk! Yes a tidy desk can save you time hunting for things and if you share your room with other staff this is essential... kind of teacher "hot desking".
- Organisation - have your exercise books in book boxes for each class, organise your photocopying/resources into years and then pop into the box before the next class - no more losing them!
- Use your reprographics/resource department.... they are paid to photocopy.... not you!
- Make a "To do" list - not glamorous, but it works... check off things when you have done them and add them when they need to be done.
- Planning, split it into long term and short term - long term to make sure you are covering topics in line with your department and then weekly short term in more detail which is when you order the photocopying!
- Marking... yes this can take ages but use marking strategies to reduce the time burden. Live marking as you walk around the room, verbal feedback students put in their books. Self and peer assessment linked to DIRT marking. RAG 123.... I could go on, find out what works for you.
- Communication - clear and concise. Email is instant but doesn't have to be, know your school policy and use it - most give 24-48hr response times. Turn your email off during lessons - you are there to teach! Set aside a time during the day when you will catch up with the email... yes do it all in one go. Responses are not sure of put in drafts, ask a colleague... Oh and learn to use your inbox - add folders...
- I have a this week, last week, this year, last year, ACTION, ITT, NQT and so on so things can go in the right place it helps me not only keep on top of the 60-70 emails I get each day, but also helps me deal with them correctly.
This weekly layout isn't perfect yet, but records how well I did on the time-management each day (I am scoring out of 14) and mindfulness/mood tracker - how does my time-management affect this?
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