Eat the Frog First – Do it now, not later!

This week I have not been a super happy teacher.

My husband has a saying.
“Eat the frog first!”
I never knew what it meant.
I was always puzzled because…
Why would I eat a frog at all???

It turns out it’s a famous quote from the one and only, Mark Twain.
You probably know it…

 “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”

It’s Education Week!
Like most schools in NSW, my school celebrates “Open Day”.
We have open classrooms.
All the parents, family members (and anyone else who wants to tag along) wander through our daily workspace.
They are free to look through student books and have a general sticky beak at the environment where their Mini Me spends an average day.
We also host a school concert, a formal art exhibition and a family picnic.

I have been racing to finish my “Under the Sea” themed turtle artwork, make my classroom look fantastic, and rehearse “Country Roads Take Me Home” with 150 nine and ten year olds.

Oh… and keep teaching engaging curriculum lessons.

It has been HECTIC!

But none of this is what stole my joy.
There is something about the craziness that I truly love.
Staff come together.
Kids come together.
Parents come together.
None of that stresses me out.
I love it when all the cogs are cranking.
This kind of unity genuinely energizes me.

Why was I stressed…

Marking books!

I REALLY HATE marking writing books.
I had fallen behind.
I took them home last weekend.
I didn’t do it.
What did I do instead?
Absolutely anything else I could think of!
I left the thing I hated the most locked in the boot of my car.

Every day this week I have been stressed.
I knew I still had to do it.
And do it well.
(Some parents bring their fine tooth combs.)

So…

Late last night,while my family was sleeping peacefully, I got it done.
It was my job to eat a frog!

Here’s the thing though…
The moment I finished, the stress completely vanished.

I was free!
I was happy!

Mark Twain truly was a genius.
If only I had taken his advice.

For me, it was marking stupid writing books.

What is it for you?
What are you putting off and locking in the boot of your car?

* exercise
* report comments
* programming
* a phone call
* a conversation
* cleaning
* groceries

Whatever it is – Do it now!


How to be a happier teacher – Eat the frog first!

Thanks for reading,
Jen

Let us know your current “frog” in comments below!
I know you’ve got one.

Special Note –
This week I have a work colleague who is bravely walking through genuine tragedy.
Sometimes when we are feeling stressed, it’s good to remember what a real problem is.
I allowed 4 hours of marking to get me down.
I am very fortunate to have a problem like that.