"On any long journey, you should expect detours."Heading into this week I knew it was going to be busy. We had planned to rollout almost 1,000 iPads to eager students in grades K-5. Before I dive into the experience, take a second to really think about that number. At times it felt like Christmas, as we got to peel off the plastic of a brand new 5th generation iPad and slap on a brand new case out the box. At other times it felt like the scene from "I Love Lucy" in which she is working on the chocolate factory assembly line and the speed of the belt keeps increasing until she can't keep up and starts eating and shoving chocolate down her shirt. If you haven't spent time with a kindergartener recently you should. They have skills coming into school naturally that we hope all students have as they leave school as seniors such as curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning! With that said, setting up an iPad with 20 step by step instructions and selecting buttons stating, "Forgot or don't have an apple ID" presents some challenges! During this process, I have been energized and exhausted after 5 straight days of rollout, but here is what I learned:
1.) On any long journey, expect detours. With this mindset you are better able to attack issues when they arise. 2.) Rely on your team. Aristotle said, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." BOOM! If Aristotle said it, it has to be true. If I would have attacked this alone without the support and help of the media specialist, assistant, and classroom teachers I would have failed. 3.) Be passionate about what you do. When you are passionate, its not work to setup and case 1,000 iPads and you have the energy and motivation to make it to the finish line. 4.) Think "We not Me". I love what I do because I get to help and support others. It's not about the technology. Setting these iPads up with and for students will help them create and share their learning in amazing ways this year.
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"The moment you tell yourself you're too busy is the moment you stop thinking creatively about how to get other potentially important items into your schedule and routine." - Rory VadenThis week marked the start of a new school year and a new decade for me personally. I turned the big 3-0. It's funny because I bet those who are younger reading this probably think nothing about this statement, but those that are older are saying, "wait until you turn _______ or I'm old enough to be your mother." When I reflect on this busy time of my life, I think about Rory Vaden's book and the idea of the Harvest Principle. He references how farmers typically work 18 hour days during the harvest season. He states, "Given the fact that their entire livelihood and well-being over the next year depend on the fruits of the this harvest, do you think that taking a sick day or being tired is an option?" He later references how balancing our time and efforts is essential. "Balance shouldn't mean equal time spent on equal activities. Balance should mean appropriate time spent on critical priorities." As this school year kicks off, it's time to put in the work and refocus my effort and time!
As we all enter different seasons of education, independence, illness, health, or new beginnings, let's stop asking ourselves how can we squeeze in more? Instead let's have a focused effort on what matters most during that current season. Let's not let "time" be our greatest excuse. Vaden states, "The moment you tell yourself you're too busy is the moment you stop thinking creatively about how to get other potentially important items into your schedule and routine." Often trying to combine multiple seasons of life creates challenges for us. The better we plan for our harvests in life will allow us to ultimately reap the best crops. The challenge for all of us this week is to reflect on our current season. Perhaps we are working 18 hour days or perhaps we are resting in the off-season. How can we balance our time, efforts, and resources to reap the best crops in our current or next season? |