The school district has been on holiday for two weeks. It has been wonderful to shift gears and step away from teaching for a moment. Even if we love what we do, we benefit from breaks to recharge our batteries and get a fresh perspective. Taking time away brings clarity and allows bad habits, born of repetition and fatigue, to drop away.
The mind works off of momentum, good or bad. This makes down time, even if it is only a few fleeting moments, vital to success. There is a reason why “sleeping on it” brings us fresh perspectives on our troubles. Sleep gives our minds time to wander and gravitate toward obvious solutions that we miss when we attempt to muscle our way to the finish line. After a good rest, we often find that our problems were nothing more than stories in our minds.
One of our students was spending a great deal of time in the principal’s office. His teacher reported that she did not know what to do with him because he was always speaking out of turn and getting into arguments with other students. This student, like many of us, was afraid to let his guard down. When he struggled with something he did not know how to ask for help. He is a gifted athlete and, because of his competitive nature, he never wanted to look bad.
As a result he would defend himself, even when there was nothing to defend. It was clear that this young man needed to learn to slow down. He needed to reflect more and react less. He also needed to start telling himself a new story about his world and what was possible for him.
Over time, and with help from our team, this student learned to stand back and decide if his mind was heading in a direction that he really wanted to go. He also became more adept at deciding what steps to take when he was off course. He learned to take deep breaths and be still for a few moments, rather than act out of his old fear of looking bad.
Consequently, he started to see a different world; a world in which he can be successful. His sleep also improved. It was easier to rest at night because his days were less riddled with conflict.
Perhaps you are due for some downtime. Taking the time meditate, going to a yoga class, or just sitting quietly, can provide you with new ideas and fresh ways of looking at the world. Without these mini holidays, it is easier to believe the worrisome stories that your mind is telling you. This is why it is important to develop the habit of inserting quiet time, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed by the tasks at hand.
There is no better feeling than stepping away from something long enough to realize that the stress was all in your head. At that moment, inspiration comes rushing back in to your awareness. It is like waking up from a wonderful nap, stretching your arms in the sunlight, and starting a brand new day.
The world will be brighter and things get done with much less effort.
Edward Biagiotti is the Inclusion Specialist for Culver City Unified School District. He is also co-host of the popular radio show, Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed, to find out more go to www.DarrellandEd.com or email him directly at: EdwardBiagiotti@ccusd.org