Starting 2021 with #LeadUpChat

I recently participated in a Twitter chat on the topic of finding “defeating distractions for your most focused year yet” with the weekly #LeadUpChat series for educators. Throughout the month of January, LeadUpChat facilitates online conversations with K-12, higher education, and independent educators. The past year has been far from easy for me due to many socioeconomic and family concerns. The LeadUpChat was a refreshing space where challenges could be normalized, but also to discuss helpful tips to mitigate distractions in my day-to-day life. The Twitter chat felt like a guided reflection conducted in a group environment. I did feel uneasy about admitting my own challenges but was encouraged by others’ responses. Leaders of all levels were present including principals, PhD students, and teachers. At the end of the day, challenges are normal.

We discussed 3 major distractions that keep educational leaders from meeting their goals: mental, cognitive, opportunity distractions. The moderator, Jeff Veal (aka @heffrey), challenged me to take ownership over how I allow others’ issues to take precedence over my own priorities. Jeff’s comment was striking because I fall into the trap of solving problems for my family, rather than empowering them to take ownership.

Another “lightbulb” topic was distractions caused by new opportunities. I shared my perspective from the iteach.msu.edu team at MSU where we establish a framework called "brainstorm, prioritize, and create" to keep us on track with our intended goals. New opportunities frequently arise, so we cannot take on new projects if it doesn’t align with what is already on our plate.

The last question focused on to-don’t lists. I have never created a to-don’t list, but I think I’m going to embed it into my practice. Seeing a big post-it note of things that I don’t have to worry about will remind me what to prioritize.

image credit: Veal, J. & Surla, K. [@heffrey and @kristensurla]. (2021, January 16). #LeadUpChat. [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/heffrey/status/1350456272101883906