The Can Do!
Work life balance and wellbeing were these mythical statements that I used to hear spouted on every inset day, after our mandatory yoga, for the last few years.
I would see it being referred to by TES articles or on Twitter by many teachers, myself included, who were struggling....but I never thought it was possible!
By 2020 I had been teaching for 9 years and it had go to the point where I was a burnt out wreck. I had no time for myself, worked 15 hour days, lived off coffee/red bull and life for me, at that point, was not worth it. I would cry on the way to work, during work and after work....I didn't think it would ever change.
Then the pandemic came along and I decided I couldn't live this way anymore. I signed myself up to an online coach who focussed on health, fitness and wellbeing....I started to make a change and believed that change was possible.
Fast forward three years and I have lost 38kg (equal to aroun 6 stone or 84lbs) and I have strict work life balance boundaries in place. I have my life back.
I know what you are thinking, how is this even possible? the job demands are insane, but it is!
One major thing I have put in place is the 'Can Do' list approach. Read on the right to find out more and download the templates you can use to help you with your 'work life balance'.
We 'Can Do' this!
Everyone has a starting point.....
First of all, take stock of where you are right now. How are you feeling? What does your current week look like?
Think about the time you get to and leave work, the hours you currently put in outside of work, your to do list, how much you delegate etc..
"What can you do?"
Over the last few years I have tried many ways to manage my workload and my own life expectations for the week - apps, diaries, calendar, post it notes - goodness does it ever end. The last year I have been using my 'Weekly Can Do' grid.
Have a look at it below and download and editable version for yourself. Scroll further for a video explaining how I use it and an image of a completed 'Can Do Grid'.
Download the 'Weekly Can Do'
Inductory video below where explain how I use and plan my week using the 'Can Do' approach.
Scroll further for an example of a completed copy.
This is a completed copy of the 'Weekly Can Do' Approach. This copy was written for a week that was straight after the Easter holidays in April 2023. I will include further copies for the next couple of weeks to see how it might increase / decrease across the term - especially when school reports begin.
My Top 5 tips for maintaining my work life balance! This may help when it comes to implementing the 'Can Do' approach.