Just Keep Swimming

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming.... 

Dory from the movie Finding Nemo - the delightful fish with the memory of... well, a fish says these great words to encourage herself to put one foot (in her case, fin) in front of the other and keeps going, even when faced with challenge or uncertainty.

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

As we head into the last few weeks of the school year and everything is happening at once, it can be hard to keep pushing ahead with positivity and persistence.

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming…

Reports, staffing, budgets, class lists, settling people who are feeling the pressure and trying to keep your head above water with a smile on your face and your brain in tact.

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming…

As I type these words I am reminded of another movie as I feel somewhat like Jack Nicholson's character in The Shining. He wrote over and over 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy' as he was in the depths of a bitterly cold Winter and descended into madness whilst trying to complete a novel with a severe case of writer's block. Poor old Jack couldn't see the way forward and throughout the book became more frustrated, more overwhelmed and eventually… well I won't ruin the ending but it wasn’t positive.

Don't worry, I am writing this from my home in sunny Brisbane, not a hotel which is snowed in for the bleak Winter. 

What I would say though is that during this time of year it is very easy to become completely overwhelmed. As you come to the end of the school year and all of the 'end of the school year' complexities that come with it, it's hard to see the forest for the trees and you can feel a bit snowed in with the tasks. Every day, actually every hour presents new challenges and new layers of expectations and tasks that have to be completed.

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

To be able to manage during this time I have found the strategy of moving forward one task at a time and having a short memory works best for me.

Rather than thinking too far into the ‘how am I going to get all this done?’ I just identify the next step. The other things are there, but I don't give them emotional energy until I have to. Once the task is completed, I don't dwell on the decision, I move forward to the next thing…just keep swimming.

People might appear short and snappy and frustrated and stressed at this time of year. Have a short memory with that stuff. Forgive them as they might not really be thinking beyond the next task or assessment… just keep swimming.

People might be wondering about their next year's class, next year's classroom or next year's job. It's because they are trying to swim. Show them what is ahead where you can and if you're not sure, let them know that you're not sure but when you know you'll let them know…just keep swimming.

Keep moving forward with positivity and don't let the small stuff rest for too long in your memory.

As we swim towards the end of the year, make sure to work some play into your schedule. it might seem like you don't have time but remember, ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy'.

 Having a brain break by going for a walk around the block at lunchtime or sitting in the staffroom and having a laugh with colleagues can make a huge and positive difference. It takes 10 minutes that you would probably be spending stressing about your workload or faffing about in an effort to be productive. Give yourself a break.

Taking a moment to reflect on your learners and appreciate the cohort you have, the 'in jokes' and the funny moments. You will have all next year to worry about next year's class. Enjoy and celebrate the one you have now.

Focusing on the next thing on the list - if it's work or play as it's own vinyette. Don't become overwhelmed with the to-do list, just do the next thing on the list.

You will be okay, I acknowledge it's a busy time personally and professionally - but honestly, aren't we lucky we have places to go, people to see and tasks to be involved in during the upcoming 'silly season'. Why? Because the alternate could well be an abandoned hotel in the middle of Winter and we all know how that ended up for Jack Nicholson!

Be more Dory, be less Jack. Just keep swimming and you won't be a dull boy.

Anne-Marie