032. Q&A: Your Organization Questions Answered

We get countless questions regarding how we manage to do it all. From getting things done to managing our teaching careers with our passions and businesses, we share it all! 

In this episode, we are answering YOUR questions, but because we had so many, we have organized them into three separate episodes. This is the first episode has already been released, you can listen to episode #029 to hear all about how we manage our time management.  

In this episode we are sharing your organization questions. We hope that you enjoy them!

YOUR ORGANIZATION QUESTIONS:

• What organization system do you have in your classroom that you are most proud of? From mrsdennis_tw
• How long has it taken each of you to find the organizational style that fits your needs best? From sjohnson912
•  How to utilize a smaller classroom and stay organized. From loladasher
• What can I do when I have very little wall space? I think my wall with the most space is maybe 5 ft. From mosaicinthemiddle
• How to organize teaching items in an apartment. I can’t get into my school over the summer. From ashley.zundel86
• Any tips on how to get started with organizing in the middle of feeling overwhelmed to do it? From pencilsandmagicwands
•  How do you maintain organization when tired? From daniel_dadgumheels
• How do you stay organized in the middle of the busy day? I find myself just having papers everywhere at the end of the day. From taylor_leigh77
• What is a good way to keep up with the flow of papers in and out? From arkitchin
• How do you organize copies for the week/weeks out? From ourelementarydays
• What methods do you use to organize the resources you used throughout the year? From mswolfe5th
• Do you organize materials by month, unit, quarter, etc? From brookeashleyk
• How do you organize turned in work and work you need to grade? From mrsfoglesong
• What are some systems that you have used to deal with homework turn in? From khellokitty16
•  How do you organize student data in regards to formative assessments? From elizabethhaller
• What’s the best organization for individual student supplies? From plan2teach2nd
• What is the best way to organize holiday decor/activities? From nhopkin1
• I need classroom library organization tips! From maddiepizzuti
• How do you stay digitally organized? My files are all over the place. From miss.lisajordan
• How to organize things related to distance learning? From hel_chris_
• Tips for organizing emails? From ecallis74
• You have videos or organize lists and Google Drive. How do you organize hard copies? From fed120

CONCLUSION

Organization can be challenging and this challenge can lead to anxiety and frustrations in your productivity. Work on developing systems that work the best for you and ask yourself if you need all the things you currently have. Work to simplify your lifestyle and gain footing for making it through the school year with less stress and more motivation. 

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Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

031. The Habits You SHOULD Be Building This Summer

There are those books that we’ve all heard of and read. Books like Twilight, Harry Potter and Fifty Shades of Grey (we know… so scandals!). However, the book that we want to share and discuss today is not as controversial as Mr. Grey, but it’s one that is very common in the category of self-discovery. 

To give a short summary, Stephen Covey is the author of the high acclaimed 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This book outlines 7 habits that Covey believes are necessary to become an effective person. Keep in mind that this book, while it helps you with being productive, this book is so much more than this. In fact, this book helps you in all areas of life; think of this book as a way to help you become well-rounded. The book is broken into private victories (habits 1-3) and public victories (habits 4-6).

7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE

Habit definition: A habit is the intersection of knowledge, skill, and desire. Knowledge is the theoretical paradigm (the what to do and the why). Skill is how you do it, and desire is the motivation (the want to do).

Habit 1: Be Proactive

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

Habit 3: Put First Things First

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood

Habit 6: Synergize

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

CONCLUSION

We loved this book and highly recommend it as a read. If you feel as though you need a little push in order to become more productive but to also to develop a well-rounded lifestyle, this is a must read! If you enjoyed this episode be sure to check out the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. 

Grab your copy here!

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

030. Q&A: Your Time Management Questions Answered

We get countless questions regarding how we manage to do it all. From getting things done to managing our teaching careers with our passions and businesses, we share it all! 

In this episode, we are answering YOUR questions, but because we had so many, we have organized them into three separate episodes. This is the first of three episodes and we are going to answer all your time management questions. 

ANSWERING YOUR TIME MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS:

Below are the questions we have answered. Even if we did not get to answer all the questions that were asked you are able to gain some informative insight into how we manage our time.

• Have you got any tips for not working too much during quarantine? From arrustemaj1
• How do you balance your time away from school with school work on extended breaks? From ms.brittnidoyle
• How do you find the balance between planning ahead and being flexible? From hawth018
• How do you make the best use of your planning time? We have 40 minutes a day. From thecaffinatedcandidclassroom
• What time management tips do you have for a student working on his BA during quarantine? From edgar 780
• How to spend less time grading but still have a fair and accurate number grade for report cards? From jamiesloan14
•  How do I have my students have good time management but still do well in class? From teachwith_mrsguire 
• You seem very involved in school and other things. How do you balance it? From ali_malone4
• Can you go over creating a schedule for your planning to be more productive? From heathnoel34
• How do you make time for your podcast, tpt, etc. businesses on top of teaching? From wajwilliams4
• How do you manage to plan time for other obligations besides teaching? Ex: Youtube From teachingwithpositivity
• Top tip for 1st year teachers to establish work-life balance? I start my first job in August. From baker_girl_91
• How much prep time you have a week & how your contract hours compare to student hour From teachinginthegoldenstate
• Do you recommend planning your entire week ahead of time or preparing day to day? From arthur_dynasty
• How do you manage your time and stay productive in the summer? From scout1283
• What is the biggest time saving tip you can give? From dashielberkofficial

CONCLUSION

Time management is determining the value in return for each task that you complete in a given day. Ask yourself whether the task is helping you towards your goals, and define your time blocks to completing those tasks that get you closer. 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

029. Michelle’s Week in the Life - Summer Edition

We all have different seasons in life that we experience. This can be both literally and figuratively. As the seasons change, we have to change our schedules and routines. So while we may find a routine or schedule that works initially, it may not always stay that way. Listen to Michelle as you join her in a week in the life summer edition. She will talk you through planning out her days in order to reach goals in her business and on giving back to herself both mentally and physically. She will share some successes and processes for getting things done.  

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

028. Bridget’s Week in the Life - Summer Edition

We all have different seasons in life that we experience. This can be both literally and figuratively. As the seasons change, we have to change our schedules and routines. So while we may find a routine or schedule that works initially, it may not always stay that way. Listen to Bridget as you join her in a week in the life summer edition. She will talk you through planning out her days in order to reach goals in her business and how to do this while having kids at home. She will share some successes and failures for the week and how she plans on getting things done.  

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

027. Our Motivating and Energizing Summer Routine

There is something about summertime and the heat, especially, that seems to zap the energy out of you. Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to spend their days lounging around the pool reading a great book. However, the lazy days seem to bleed together leaving you feel unproductive and ill-prepared for the upcoming school year. 

We are in a new season of our life. Yes, we are talking about summer, but it is also important to know that seasons also relate to where we are in our lives; the circumstances that we are currently living in. With each season, both literally and figuratively, it’s important to change our routines to fit the needs we have at that particular point and time. 

We want to share our motivating and energizing summer routine that has allowed us to create structure and feel as though we are accomplishing goals but also enjoying our summer. 

• OUR WALK STORY
• OUR WHY 
• HOW THIS FITS INTO OUR DAY
• TIPS TO ENERGIZING AND MOTIVATING YOUR SUMMER ROUTINE

CONCLUSION

Keep in mind that we are not perfect in fact we have had a handful of times where we have to listen to our bodies and just rest. There is nothing wrong with that! The purpose of this is to make sure that you are making the most of your summer and to make sure that you have taken steps to feeling ready for the beginning of the school year. 

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Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

026. Tips for Organizing Your Digital Life

Before the world was sent into a world-wide pandemic, many of us were content in our lives as paper-loving teachers. Suddenly, our world shifted and many of us were forced to accept the digital lifestyle. 

But instead of focusing on the inconveniences and the problems with everything moving to digital, we have to shift our mindsets and adapt by finding ways to overcome our grievances. Today, we are sharing some small changes that you can make in order to better organize your digital life. By taking these small steps you will feel more productive and be able to better manage your time. 

TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR DIGITAL LIFE

Tip #1: Set Alarms

Tip #2: Set Times to Complete Specific Tasks

Tip #3: Streamline your Apps/Websites

Tip #4: Digitize your Paperflow

Tip #5: Utilize Templates

CONCLUSION

One of the biggest reasons so many of us have never fully committed to going digital is because we have never really had to do it. This is the time to get your feet wet and begin transitioning your life online. Start slow and small and build as you go. If you start trying too much too fast you risk feeling overwhelmed and frustrated and dropping it all together. 

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Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

025. Top 3 Things That Worked for Us In Quarantine

When you are thrown into new situations you cannot help but feel as though all the systems, routines and procedures you have created for yourself no longer function on your behalf. What once was a life that had some order and consistency has been thrown for a complete loop and left you feeling defeated. COVID-19 has caused so many teachers to feel hopeless and in need of a new routine. Hours have been spent searching for what new technologies can aid us in successfully doing our jobs. 

In this episode, we talk about specific materials, routines, or procedures that we have put in place that have helped us in regaining some of the order that we once knew while in a brick and mortar job. We share what has allowed us to be successful during online teaching but we also share what has allowed us to maintain that balance while working from home. 

024. Our Experiences in Quarantine: Struggles and Victories

We have to be honest with you all. 

When word was getting out that school may start to shut down, we were actually a little excited. Now hold on! We had NO idea what this was all going to turn into, but originally, we thought this was a chance to catch-up on things and to have a break. 

Fast-forward three months and here we are, still in quarantine-ish and trying to make it through to the end of the school year. That said, we’ve experienced some struggles and some victories during these last three months. 

Today, we want to share with you our struggles and victories during quarantine and distance learning. Be sure to listen in on the conversation. You might find that what you were/are struggling with is the same as ours. 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

023. Tips for Creating a Work-Life Balance

Creating a work-life balance is something we, as teachers, have always strived for. It is something that before the pandemic of 2020 hit us, was something that was challenging. Now, working from home we are realizing that establishing a work-life balance is harder than ever before. 

Before, we had a clear line between work and home. We would wake up, go to work, leave work, and be home. Now, we work from home and live with work. The lines are blurry. Today, we want to share with you some tips that will help you during these crazy times of distance learning but can also carry over as we continue to work and establish our balance between work and life. 

TIPS FOR CREATING A WORK-LIFE BALANCE:

Tip #1: Stick to Your Work Hours

Tip #2: Establish a Workspace

Tip #3: Eat Lunch Away from Your Workspace

Tip #4: Check Emails in Batches

Tip #5: Develop a Routine

CONCLUSION

You have to remember that life is a balancing act. There will never be a secret recipe that works for EVERY season of your life. You will constantly have to readjust and make the work fit for what is happening now. Reflect on the changes that you have happening and adjust accordingly. 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!