Working on School Time

It’s easy for me to say, “I love school time.” I don’t have children to get ready for school and am not attending myself. However, let me clarify my statement, I love the school season with the fresh start, excitement and routine it brings. (I’ve often heard mothers say the same thing.) After a long hot summer of fun activities, loose schedules and lax habits, it’s nice to get back to a balanced lifestyle. School time is a great reboot to routines. Adults and children benefit from following the seasonal schedule. Work and school usually run smoother when healthy behaviors and boundaries are in place.

Vacations are fun. Staying up late and sleeping in is fun. Eating ice cream, s’mores, hamburgers and hotdogs is fun. Unfortunately, an overindulgence of these fun things drains the fun right out of them. Too much fun makes us lazy, plump, broke, sick and tired. All play and no work:

• distracts focus
• depletes energy
• diminishes efficiency
• delays productivity

Getting back to a healthy routine after a relaxing and reasonable break is better for all those involved in school, work, and daily life.

Back to School

Remember the excitement of getting clothes, backpacks and supplies for school? I always enjoyed the newness of the back-to-school feeling—new outfits, unused pencils, unmarred erasers, unopened crayons and markers, blank tablets and bright-colored notebooks. It was like the feeling I get with cleaning. It brought fresh smells, clear spaces, clean slates, and start overs.

I try to keep that feeling going by following the same school schedule as my community. As summer ends and I see stores, schools and students getting ready to start the new school year, I do the same. I check my fall wardrobe and replace needed items while taking advantage of “back-to-school” sales. I restock my office supplies, set work goals, and plan a schedule for what I want to read, study, and accomplish during the season.

Following the school schedule motivates me and helps me stay in sync, and considerate of what my family, friends and community are doing in this season of their lives.  

Back to Work

If you’re fortunate to get time off, slow down or take a vacation during the summer months, you know what a treat that is. You may also know that the longer you take a break the harder it is to get back to work.

If you struggle with getting back to work after vacation, try taking shorter breaks more often, planning in a day before to prep and a day after to regroup. Pre-plan your work tasks in a planner before leaving on break. It’s easier to get back to work when you know exactly where to start and are ready to go.

Back on Schedule

Summer’s end doesn’t mean the end of fun. It means we have to employ moderation while maintaining rest and nutrition. To get us back on schedule we can:

• Accept the season we’re in
• Adjust our schedules accordingly
• Address stress or eliminate it

A balanced schedule helps us focus productively on our labors and learning.

Bring It Home

What do you like about the “Back-to-School” season?

Praying for you as we grow together,

Smiles, BRC