Reflecting on Time

I only have 11 days until I return to school and begin work on the 2014-15 school year.  The past few weeks have given me some time to reflect on my lessons learned as a first year assistant principal.  I learned a lot.  My take-away at the moment is to remember to slow down.  Last year passed very quickly and seemed to be an insurmountable laundry list of tasks checked off of an endless to-do list.  

By March, I had realized that I needed to "let the mud settle."  Just like when filling a pool or pond, the water is muddy and murky and needs some time to let the debris settle to the bottom.  Once that happens, everything becomes much clearer.  Just like with murky water, incidents involving people need and deserve time to become clear.  I believe I will be able to make better decisions next year if I remember to stop, let the mud settle, and give the time and patience situations deserve.

Let the Mud Settle

I tend to see a problem and want to fix it. If my little girl is crying, I want to find out what's wrong and fix it.  If there is a problem with the house, I'm going to get some tools out and attempt to fix it. Again, I'm a fixer. 

In my role as an assistant principal this year, I have learned that I need to slow down and let the mud settle.  Instead of thinking through a problem systematically and coming to a quick resolution, I've learned that is not always the best course of action to take.  Sometimes, taking time and being patient, problems resolve themselves or resolve into a lesser issue.  Taking a little more time with an issue, allows it to become clearer.  The real problem becomes more evident.  More importantly, when I slow down, others have an opportunity to work through their problem.

It is a balancing act.

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