It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?
- Henry David Thoreau (https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/henry_david_thoreau_153926)
I laughed aloud, considering the conversations I've held with my colleagues and my family over the past few weeks. So many of those conversations have dealt with just how busy everyone is - with work and life and family and other stuff and then more work. And also with life - did I mention that?
But what I often failed to do in these moments was think about what I'm really busy doing.
Teachers are busy people - both in and out of school. No one denies that. OK - some people disagree, saying that teachers are actually not busy, but those same folks seek sustenance with a steady diet of complaining and negativity. It's a health trend few have ever heard about, like smoking cigarettes to lose weight or neglecting hygiene to save water. But I digress.
But what I often failed to do in these moments was think about what I'm really busy doing.
Teachers are busy people - both in and out of school. No one denies that. OK - some people disagree, saying that teachers are actually not busy, but those same folks seek sustenance with a steady diet of complaining and negativity. It's a health trend few have ever heard about, like smoking cigarettes to lose weight or neglecting hygiene to save water. But I digress.
What made me stop working and start thinking was the last part of the quote - "What are we busy about?" In order for "busy" to be worthwhile in education, it needs to be focused on student learning, on making sure students are ready for the world beyond school. In order for "busy" to be worthwhile in your personal life, it needs to be focused on what is best for you and your family and friends. Each aspect of "busy" goes back to what is truly important.
Being busy has become a badge of honor for many, worn with pride during conversations where people attempt to outdo one another with their tales of being busy. I have entered into a few of these conversations with colleagues. I'm still not sure if I won any of the contests - it's difficult to tell if you've won when the prize at the end isn't worth obtaining.
Being busy has become a badge of honor for many, worn with pride during conversations where people attempt to outdo one another with their tales of being busy. I have entered into a few of these conversations with colleagues. I'm still not sure if I won any of the contests - it's difficult to tell if you've won when the prize at the end isn't worth obtaining.
Let's come to an end of this ramble so you may return to your busy life. Or not busy life. Whatever. Just take a moment and examine what you are busy about and ask yourself how it affects the learning objectives of students, or whomever you are serving. Ask yourself if you are busy with what is important.
I'll end with a quote from a George Couros blog that hangs on my office wall: "There is no one busy in this world. It's always about priorities. You will always find time for the things you feel important."
I'll end with a quote from a George Couros blog that hangs on my office wall: "There is no one busy in this world. It's always about priorities. You will always find time for the things you feel important."
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