I’ll admit it — I’m a pretty scheduled and structured person. In my personal life with friends and family. Especially in my professional life. The Google Calendar is my best friend some days I feel. I will send a calendar invite in a minute, anytime, any place. I’ll remind. I can be persistent. My people of all walks that have frequent interactions with me know this about me — I’m pretty structured, organized and I love plans. A well organized plan cemented by a calendar holds it all together.
In education, I learned long ago no matter the role in the classroom, as an instructional coach or now as a school administrator even the most structured day can often be dismantled by a single event. An unscheduled parent meeting lasts several hours, a investigation, a staff member falls ill and in a pinch I’m covering core 3 and 4 Math for the day. The most well-scheduled day can go astray in a moment.
Anything can and often will happen no matter what our role in education is. We have to pivot. Adjust the calendar, reach out to those effected directly, indirectly, reschedule, communicate to all stakeholders and move it on. Doing what is best for kids and the community we all serve always supersedes all. It is ok to be slightly vulnerable with stakeholders in these situations and explain as much as you can without breaking policy laws, of course. Sometimes things need to be erased from the calendar and rescheduled – even that ever important final classroom observation in the final weeks of the school year before deadlines are looming.
Merriam-Webster defines flexible in this sense as: characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements.
a flexible foreign policy
a flexible schedule
In terms of my personal life, I’m pretty private. I have a close circle of friends and a small family. I care for them all dearly. I’m also often the one who makes plans or at the very least gets the ball rolling. That group of close grad school friends? “Hey, all! When are we all going to be in Raleigh next? Let’s connect” then a calendar invite will come as soon as a day, time and place is set. That’s me. Things can come up a day or two out or even day of. A child gets sick. We might need to wait until next month to get together. Keep the conversation going. Make that connection strong and it will happen even if later than anticipated initially.
In the current heat wave North Carolina is experiencing this summer HVAC systems are on overload and can need served. Two have had to reschedule the past month for this alone with me. It’s life. Things happen. You pivot, adjust, and make new plans once this significant inconvenience in their has been fixed but keep that communication going and make new plans once a life hiccup has been adjusted.
For me, maintaining communication is key. Being flexible is a necessity no matter how structured we are. It is inevitable we will have to pivot often in all walks of our lives. How we react and communicate is key. For me I try to resolve as a soon as possible and reschedule — communicating with all key stakeholders as soon as possible. This is vital in all walks so those who are key in both our personal and professional lives feel validated that this meeting, event or gathering will happen again soon. Within professional settings this shows care, compassion, focus and intention. Relating to personal lives, this shows that as well as highlighting the clear importance on the friendship, relationship, love and authenticity.
Now, as someone who loves structure in their daily lives it’s easy to fall into the trap of a very much set day especially during the work week.
I am lucky to have many people in my life who both recognize and admire my personal structure but also recognize my ability to adapt often as needed. My typical afternoon after work workout might need to happen later in the day or not at all because of X, Y, Z personally or professionally. Work might overlap Tuesday with dinner plans with friends or a loved one. Life happens. Explain, adjust, be flexible and move on. This is something I’m continuing aware of and working to improve. Those in my circle of all walks hold me accountable, often. I’m so grateful for this.
From rise in the morning to rest in the evening. It is important that we keep a routine but one open to flexibility within it. The article below really dives deep into some of the research within the importance of keeping some daily flexibility into a structured day.
https://www.strategy-business.com/article/A-flexible-routine-can-help-you-change-for-good
Being flexible can be hard. Especially for natural planners. Prioritizing is always essential. Take a step back. It’s always ok to go slow to go fast. Giving yourself grace and respecting your changing needs is key. This recent article below provides several outstanding tips for balance professionally with flexibility is needed within the day.
Structure is great, but flexibility within is necessary. Said from a self proclaimed natural planner to the core who has adapted well to life as a strong “flexible planner” in all works of life. Make the shift, adapt and keep it moving. There is never need to stress about things that are out of our circle of control. Period. Never forget that.
BrendanFetters.com 