s care providers, it often becomes natural to neglect our own needs. We use up all our time making sure the children in our care are happy and cared for, often at the expense of adequate sleep, nutrition, and emotional well-being. It isn’t until we become truly overwhelmed with our work that we step back and re-evaluate things. But instead of getting to that breaking point, there are strategies that can help us avoid that situation altogether.
It’s easy to feel the constant pressure due to our endless responsibilities. But I’d like to suggest an essential action for successfully accomplishing your
goals when needed – delegate. You may truly believe there is no one capable of doing any of your necessary tasks as well as you, but you must learn to let go of that mentality. So what if items are put away on the third shelf instead of the second shelf? At least they’re put away. From an early educator’s view, I know how hard it is to let go of what needs to be done. But my motto has become, “If someone offers help, take it!”
I have also had to let go of my comparisons between how others do things and how I would have done them. This is self-destructive and stress-inducing!
A few years ago, a colleague shared a funny but oh-so-true video entitled, “Age-activated Attention Deficit Disorder.” (Check this out on YouTube!). I realized it had less to do with age and more to do with lack of focus and not seeing tasks through to completion– both of which are a problem for most, but especially for those of us responsible for a room full of children and for everything else going on in our lives!
Sometimes when we have a lot to do, it’s hard to stay focused on completing one task at a time. You may think your multitasking is working, but that can be stressful in it of itself. It might seem as though a lot is getting done, but at the end of the day, very little has been accomplished and most is only half-baked. This is why prioritizing our time is essential in our line of work, since our days are already full of job responsibilities, we might not know what to do when other things pop up that we must take care of. Even creating a mental note for yourself will help you keep track of your time and what needs to get done first according to your own priorities.
To avoid these problems, I have created and incorporated a simple daily strategy plan into my morning routine. In other words, it’s a daily schedule that will help you map out all your tasks. This daily schedule, which can be written on a notepad, on a board, or even through a phone app, helps me remember the important pressing projects, as well as the stuff that can wait. Most importantly, it provides a solution to prioritizing everything.
This daily plan has brought sanity to my life and will do the same for yours. Sitting down with my new daily strategy plan over morning coffee has made all the difference. Before I even begin, I copy off the unfinished business from the previous day and write it at the top of the daily plan.
Then, I create the heading, “Brain Unload,” under which I jot down all the thoughts, ideas, issues, and things to do that are filling up my head. Now that they’re written down, they won’t be forgotten!
Next, there’s a space to rough in my schedule for the day, so I stay on time and know what’s coming up. Then, I use the spot titled, “Non-Negotiables” to list the top five things that absolutely must get done that day.
Finally, there’s a space titled, “My Little Reward for the Day.” This is reserved for one thing I can look forward to doing at the end of my day. Usually, it isn’t anything spectacular – maybe going out for a simple dinner with my husband, watching my favorite TV show, digging into that new novel, or FaceTime with one of my kids. The point is, you need to make time for something you enjoy that is not work or responsibility-related. This is so important in relieving stress and renewing our energy!
And, not to be forgotten…at the very bottom is a short list of longer term goals or events that I am looking forward to accomplishing and enjoying. This can be a professional development event, like the Councils’ 2016 Early Educators Leadership Conference in October, or a project that I hope to complete. The point is that we never want to lose sight of our goals and keeping them in sight every day is a great way to make sure we follow through.
Try my daily strategy plan for a week and see if it makes a difference in your sanity and focus. It is sure to translate into more productivity and effectiveness in your early childhood program, too!
A couple of years before becoming a mother, I saw the classic movie Terms of Endearment. Before the opening credits, the film portrayed Aurora, played by Shirley MacLaine, as a worried mom who checked on...
“Every child deserves a champion,” said longtime teacher Rita Pierson in a famous TED talk. She was talking about “an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and...
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I wanted to share how it is important for us all to reflect on women’s progress in the business world and the importance of supporting and empowering...
My mom called me up some years ago to praise a movie about a pig. As she began to mimic the pig’s squeaky little voice, I started to wonder what this meant and worried my...
It takes a village to raise a child, the old proverb tells us. But we need to expand our perspective, according to pediatric surgeon, social scientist and mom Dana Suskind. In her heartfelt work, Parent...
Dr. Calvin Moore shared that when he first arrived at the Council and took on the CEO role, he was focused on assessing the early childhood education (ECE) landscape, the reach of the organization and...
We have probably all seen the commercials this time of year when you can hear the popular holiday song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, playing in the background as parents dance joyously...
Did you know early childhood educators in Maryland have a special benefit that can help them and the children they serve? The Maryland State Department of Education has awarded a $1 million grant to the...
For the first time in three years, the Education Writers Association (EWA) gathered in person for their National Seminar in Orlando last month. The event drew journalists from across the country to hear from leaders...
Chief Operations Officer
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Chief Financial Officer
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
Read our monthly e-newsletter and keep up to date on all Council programs and services, as well as the latest news in the world of early care and education. Subscribe today to stay connected with us. You’ll receive timely information on events, webinars, special promotions, and more.
