Liberating Disconnection

Summer is an opportune time for reflection, getting re-energized for the upcoming school year, or just focusing on what is most important to you.

For 17 incredible days this summer, I was disconnected from technology. No email, no tweets, no Internet, and often no cell phone. Even a land line telephone and television were not available in the cabin. Granted if I drove away from the cabin towards a town, there was cell and data service. What was there was time and the most important people in my life.

Sure, I have "gotten away" before, but it was up to me to decide to deal with work-related call on the cell, etc. I hadn't had such an experience for about 25 years (and back then it was much easier as all one could "escape" was to get away from a telephone and TV (remember cell phones were in 3 pound bags). This time there really wasn't much of an option if I stayed at the cabin. I think it shall be an annual event. A truly liberating disconnection (though temporary) was just what I needed.

Amazing how much less stressed I felt, focused, and in general WOW. Now the challenge is to maintain and get better at managing the balance of personal and professional time.

Certainly when I returned, I reviewed emails, read the news, etc.

So I hope for all of you finding this blog that you took time for you and what/who you value so that you will be in better shape for welcoming students when they start the 2009-10 year.

How did you rejuvenate yourself?

Staying Balanced

I am a big fan of Stephen Covey. I have read several of his books and attempt to put many of his practices into use in my everyday life. After finishing up my third full year as a school assistant principal, I am finally beginning to feel I have a firm grasp of what my role is at my school (for now). I have worked very hard in my current position to learn as much as I can to be the best at my job that I can be and I am sure there will always be more. This is definitely not a bad thing, but I am now at a point that I feel I must focus on staying balanced in all aspects of my life.

The good news is I am a really good multi-tasker... especially at my job. The problem is, this has led to me doing so much at one time so often that my mind is always on overdrive. While working so hard at my job, I have not taken as much time to maintain a consistent outlet to help me relieve stress. This summer I have started back on a regular exercise routine and I must say I have been much more relaxed. I forgot how much it helped me decompress and reflect!

For me it is exercise and my health and for you it may be an imbalance of another sort. I believe that most of you reading this are probably very driven at doing the best job possible as well. You work very hard and will always be up for a challenging task. My question is this... In all of the effort you put forth at work, does it lead to an imbalance in your life somewhere? If not that is awesome. If your not sure start here.