Preparing to Pause: A Framework for Planning a Break From Work

How are you? No, really.

As we wrap up 2023 at school, it’s not just about tying up projects and closing out events. There’s a flurry of activities at home too. The end of December brings a surge of busyness, and then it abruptly ends. The school buses roll out of the parking lot on the last day with students, and then what?

For many educators and leaders, making the shift from being on the clock at work to turning it off and being on the clock at home can be challenging.

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Below is a framework I use when preparing to take a break. Yes, it takes just 20 minutes to reflect on the tasks that need attention. Subsequently, I create a plan based on this reflection. This process not only helps me pause and take a break from the routine for a few days but also, as the teens say today, it readies me to “lock in” to some much-needed rest and family time before coming back strong in 2024.

Preparing to Pause:

Brain Dump the Stuff: What are you thinking about that “has to get done?” Before you are done, take five minutes to write down everything that you are worried, wondering, or wanting to prioritize before you log off for the break.

Sort the Stuff: Now categorize everything into the following groups:

• Must Do Before Break
• Can Do After Break
• Will Delegate
• Simply Delete

Schedule the Stuff: Finally, schedule these tasks at least 3 days before you plan to log off. This allows for any hiccups in the week prior and gives you the bandwidth to be present in the final days before the break for staff and students.

Must Do Before Break: Schedule what needs to be done on your calendar at least THREE DAYS before you plan to log off. This allows for any hiccups in the week and gives you bandwidth to be present in the final days before the break for staff and students.

Can Do After Break: When you put these on your calendar (for after the break!), include any specific details or deadlines in the notes. I use my Full Focus Planner to write details in the notes section on that page, so I feel comfortable letting it go until it is time to pick it up again. (Use Jessica10 as a code for 10% if you are interested)

Will Delegate: A gentle reminder: you might not be as awesome as you think. On your list, identify tasks that need to get done but might not be best for you to do. Is there a teacher with better knowledge or experience who can help? Consider voices missing from the decision-making that you need to seek. Trust me; working in isolation or thinking only you can do everything usually ends in a minor or major disaster.

Simply Delete: This one can be hard for some of us. An example is the Minnesota Nice email thread. If you’ve been part of one, you know the reply-all “sounds good!,” “yes,” or “have a great break.” Please… just delete. If you want to wish someone a good break, skip the word count on an email and call or stop by their room in person. Too often, many emails in our inbox can be deleted without wasting extra characters and bandwidth in our brain.

So there it is. If you like a template, here is a link to the framework in a graphic form. Print it out, shut your door, and take ten minutes to complete it. And then, please take the time off you so richly deserve; you are worth it, and you certainly need a little time for yourself to reflect, rest, and recalibrate for a great start to 2024.

Here if you need anything, and remember when you live well…you lead well.

Jess