Preparation

I must admit, I’m typing this hours before Hurricane Ian’s bands of rain start flooding Florida. It’s an unsettling feeling what the next hours and days will result in, but I’m ready for it the best I can be. That’s a good feeling knowing you’re ready and can get in your monthly blog before you likely lose power at some point. So here I am…

The warnings were out late last week that a storm could develop into a hurricane. Gradually, people have stocked up at the grocery stores with the necessities. For me that trip came Saturday morning. Wal-Mart was busier than normal, but I got the bread and water I needed to make it the next several days. Fast forward to now, people are urgently getting any last scrap they can find before we’re dumped with rain. I’ve heard the stories how packed supermarkets have been the last 48 hours, and thankfully, I wasn’t part of the rush because this time I was prepared.

 

Lately, (and surprisingly) I’ve been prepared. I’ve been more prepared in my running, in my classroom, and for this storm. At least for the first two, being prepared has made a huge difference. I’m optimistic for the last one too.

 

This school year, I’m working a lot smarter, not harder. The days and weekends of spending hours working away are over. (It only took me 6 years!) What happened? First, a teacher and I get to school early before anyone else. This allows us to make our copies without waiting in line and allows us to dash after school. Secondly, my team this year (kudos to them, they rock) create master copies of the assignments for each subject and keep the copies in their/my mailbox weeks ahead of time. This alleviates the need to print them myself and gives us time to get copies well ahead of time. Thirdly, the copies I make get put in a labeled weekday drawer and then when that comes, I put the copies for that day into each group’s magic boxes, then they get them out as I teach that subject. It's my newest idea and has saved so much class time! Finally, I’m studying my lessons well ahead of time. I’ve done this in years past, but with the consistency I’ve studied at, I’m picking up how to teach my lessons much faster than before. And…teaching year after year has helped too.

 

As for my running, it took a turn for worst in the summer. The injuries started piling up and it made me rethink what I was and wasn’t doing well. I was running great, but… I wasn’t taking care of myself afterward. Recently, I bought an ice machine (similar to Sonic ice that everyone loves) that will allow me to put bags of ice on my legs after runs, a balance board to strengthen my legs, and loaded my refrigerator up with drinks to replenish my energy after runs. I also had to say goodbye to constantly running super-fast every single run. I’ve refocused my goals on what I want to accomplish with each run and the results can speak for themselves. I feel so much better with the preparation I’m doing before and afterward, and I know my body is too.

 

In my general life, I have a big calendar that helps me prepare and make priorities. (The monthly blog being one of them.) Part of that list means creating categories that include must dos and if time allows. Gradually, both lists form and I put a checkmark as I finish off the items. I rarely check every item off those lists but putting checkmarks after small successes is still a great feeling! The older I get; it’s become more apparent I’m prioritizing things that are fun for me. No one ‘yes man’ all the time. I’ll say yes to things that bring me joy. By preparing ahead of time and marking it on my calendar I make it clear what’s important to me and what can wait. 

 

Preparation looks differently for everyone. For me, a big calendar and notepad with boxes helps me be my best self. For others, keeping a digital calendar on their phone with alarms keeps them successful. As the saying on my middle school track shirt goes, “If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” Prepare today! You got this!