Where Has All the Time Gone?

When you, as a new teacher, arrive at English 1, the first month or so is spent coasting on training sessions and getting to know the city you are in, your new colleagues, and trying to make sense of all the information being given to you. Once that period is over, you begin to get stuck into teaching, and your teaching hours gradually start to build up. It is often at this point that a teacher begins to wonder, “Can I do this job?”

Rather than becoming stressed or overwhelmed, it may be helpful to develop a time management strategy or take a time development course offered by English 1. Everyone has their own version of a strategy, but you might begin teaching without one in mind, or find that your current approach needs updating. What tools could you use to support yourself?

One of my most important tools for time management is my trusted diary. It contains my to-do list, which often includes lessons that need planning, as well as the dates for upcoming Parent Teacher Conferences and Open Lessons. However, writing a to-do list is the easy part. In this age of WeChat, email and social media, a to-do list is of little use if you are going to be distracted every five minutes.

In his book Hyperfocus, Chris Bailey encourages you to organise your tasks into the following categories:

Unattractive and Productive

• Planning lessons

• Meetings

• Weekly scheduling

Attractive and Unproductive

• Checking social media

• Checking your phone for messages

• Watching cat videos

• Browsing news sites

Attractive and Purposeful

• Going to the gym

• Playing the guitar

• Searching for new activities for your classes

• Learning Chinese

Unproductive and Unattractive

• Giving your desk a quick tidy

• Putting labels on your resources

This table speaks for itself. Often, what is unattractive but productive is what we need to prioritise first. As a teacher, that is most likely lesson planning. If you are a senior teacher, it may also include providing training or completing other essential responsibilities.

Like many people, you may find it difficult not to spend a disproportionate amount of time on attractive but unproductive tasks. How can you resist that new notification on your phone? Has your funny WeChat message been replied to yet? Or perhaps you wonder what is happening back home and decide to take a quick look at the news. Before you know it, you may have slipped further into procrastination, lingering longer than necessary in the unproductive and unattractive zone.

Even if you become hyper-aware of where your attention is going, keeping it focused is not always easy. Consider how much time you will spend on each task, and prioritise three or four of them.

For example, if you have ten lessons to plan, start with the ones that usually require extra resources or tend to take longer. If there is a grammar point you are not fully confident in teaching, focus on preparing that lesson first. Do you have an Open Lesson coming up? If so, now is the time to start planning for it.

Who is not distracted these days while working? Instant messages, emails and notifications are constant interruptions. One of the simplest steps you can take is to turn off automatic notifications on your computer or phone that alert you when a new email arrives.

Productivity expert Chris Bailey recommends keeping a notebook on your desk. Use it to quickly jot down anything that suddenly comes to mind while you are working. For example, you may be in the middle of lesson planning when your brain reminds you, “You didn’t tell so-and-so that joke you heard,” or “I need to ask the Director of Studies about holiday time.”

Instead of stopping to act on the thought immediately, write it down. This not only preserves your focus but also signals to your brain that the thought has been captured, which reduces anxiety and the fear of forgetting.

Distractions can feel rewarding. Research suggests we get a small hit of dopamine each time we check social media or start a light-hearted conversation with a colleague. While these moments may offer short-term relief from a demanding task, they interrupt your momentum and make it harder to return to deep work.

Only you will know how long you need to focus on a task. Next to each item on your to-do list, you can write an estimated time and dedicate your full attention to working on it for that duration.

Chris Bailey also advises against behaving like a machine by rushing mindlessly from one task to another. After completing each task, give your brain permission to scatter its focus. This might mean taking a ten-minute walk, listening to music, or simply letting your mind wander.

During this scatter focus period, your brain makes new connections and begins to solve problems unconsciously, often leading to creative ideas. This is also a good time to have a light conversation with a colleague. You will likely notice that your mind feels refreshed and ready to tackle the next task.

Even though your time management strategy is often focused on work, it is equally important to make time for what truly matters to you, those tasks that belong in the attractive and purposeful category. This part of your time often receives less attention because work demands so much of your focus. However, it is essential to protect and prioritise this time in your life.

You may find that you place different tasks into different categories and that is perfectly fine. What matters most is becoming aware of how you are managing your time. This awareness can significantly reduce your stress levels as you strive to be the best teacher you can be.