Sometimes We Go in Circles
Sometimes we think we’re moving forward. Getting closer to our goal, only to find that we’re actually just going in circles.
Many of you know I grew up in the Boston area, but that doesn’t mean I’m familiar with all the towns, neighborhoods etc. Far from it. Last weekend, I was back in the area and doing a housesit on the Somerville/Medford line, not too far from Tufts. I planned a ten-mile run that would take me into Cambridge and eventually along the Charles River. I added all the coordinates into my Apple Maps. Now all I had to do was walk out the door, down the front stairs, and follow the map cues. Easy! The first two miles were a slog; it was hard to get into my rhythm, especially with so many street crossings. But I reminded myself that some of the best long runs kick off with a less-than-stellar start. I decided to stop and take a photo of a cool landmark, and somehow, unbeknownst to me, I did something to my Maps in the process.
Back on my route, I must be in Cambridge by now, I rounded a corner and saw a few Tufts buildings. Huh. I didn’t realize this campus was so sprawling. And then, I saw the sign. The street sign. My brain started to ache a little as I tried to put the pieces together. I turned on the street, just as Apple told me. And on that street sat a particular house, and, you guessed it, it was my house–well, at least my house for the weekend. Somehow, I ended up back at the start, with only a little over three miles completed out of ten. I’d just, quite literally and unknowingly, run in a circle. I still had seven miles left to go, and I was back at square one! My spirits were shot. But did I give up? Did I throw in the towel? Call it quits? Umm, yes. Yes, I did. I went back into the house, grabbed my wallet, and walked to the cafe around the corner. But that’s not the point of this particular story.
Going in circles is so frustrating. I spent the better part of the morning reviewing my map. And, looking at the bird’s eye view, I can see exactly where I got turned around and started to run in a circle, but in the moment, I really thought I was moving forward. And that, my friends, brings me to the point of this particular story. You knew there was a point!
As educators and school leaders, we sometimes find ourselves going in circles. We expect we’d be further along with a strategic initiative, but we find ourselves putting out fires. We want to honor all voices, but then decisions suffer from death by committee. We think we are on the same page with a family about their child, but then we realize, we most certainly are not. In these times, we feel off track, overwhelmed, and short on time. We feel like we’re underperforming. We feel judged.
So how do we stop chasing our tail and get back on track? Here are a few things that work for me:
Slow the pace.
Occasionally, we need to slow down to be able to recenter and remember our purpose. Our brains are computers, and they need us to pause, or even fully reset, for system optimization. If your computer is like mine, you have way too many tabs open; our brains can be that way, too. So, take some time to slow down and close some tabs. I know I make more mistakes when I’m feeling hurried and have too many things going on at once. Even when your to-do list feels very long, slowing down could be just what you need to get back in the game and do things well.
Reflect on your goals.
Where we are going is important, but remembering why we’re going there in the first place can be exactly what we need to get back on track. Pull out that strategic plan, or your personal goal list, or your students’ portfolios. Let’s remind ourselves to lean into our “Why”s. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Get up on the balcony.
We need to see the entire scene. We know this! Just as I needed to see the map of my route to see where I started going in circles, we need to see the entire scenario. Once we’re up on the balcony, we can make some adjustments and come back down to the main stage.
Focus on what’s important in the moment.
The work we do, it’s all important. Even if it doesn’t feel like it. Giving something only half our focus because we have other priorities is only going to make that thing twice as much work in the long run. It’s just the way it is. So, yes, even if you find yourself plunging a toilet (and don’t we all end up with that skill at some point when we work in schools?), remember, focusing on this right here and now will help you focus on the bigger things later in the day (and will save you a few dollars on a plumber!).
Talk to a colleague or mentor.
Hands down, this is one of the best ways for me to be able to get back on track. First, I’m reminded that I’m not alone and these problems aren’t unique to just my classroom or my school. Second, listening to myself explain what’s going on allows me to see things from a different angle, and lastly, having someone really listen and share strategies is an invaluable gift.
Breathe and try again.
Whether it’s a long breath: a day, or even a week, or it’s just a few minutes, take the time you need and then jump back on course. You’ve got this.
Sometimes we go in circles, but with intention and purpose, we can always find our way back to our path.
The Powder House Mill, aka the place where I stopped for a photo and then ended up going in a big, fat, circle.