I’m very excited to introduce you all to Kelli Wise, the mastermind behind the “Chalk Full of Life” podcast. Kelli is an inspiring woman who coaches teachers to live a more balanced life and regain peace, joy, and fulfillment as teachers.
In my interview with her, we talk about how you can develop new after-school routines that will help you to de-stress and relax after a long and often draining day in the classroom.
But before we get into the meat of the conversation, let’s get to know Kelli a little better…
{To watch the video of our interview hit play below or read on for a detailed overview}
Getting the home/work balance right
Kelli worked as a teacher for a long time, but once she left the classroom, she was also a wife, a mother and a friend. Although she had a strong passion for teaching, she always felt as though she couldn’t find the perfect balance between her teacher life and home life.
It was often the case that she would be doing super well in one area of her life (such as teaching), but as a result, her home and personal life suffered. Like many of us, she struggled to find a harmonious balance between the two.
It wasn’t until she was off work on maternity leave with her third child that she realized she hadn’t taken any time to herself in years. So, she worked on regaining balance in her life, and it was during this time that she discovered online business.
She realized that teachers know how to create fantastic and useful resources, but most don’t know how to market those resources. So, she decided to help fellow “teacherpreneurs” to market their resources and grow their businesses online.
Through trial and error, she found ways to help herself (and other teachers) regain control of their lives and give them back their time, energy and happiness.
So, if you want to find out what Kelli’s top 5 tips are to makeover your after-school routines, keep reading!
1. Daily Purpose Plan
After School is the most important part of a teacher’s day, so don’t waste it! If you do a good job prioritizing the rest of your day leading up to it, you’ll have more control over what you’re going to do after school and who you’ll spend time with.
As teachers, it’s easy for us to feel like we’re on the go all day long. But it doesn’t have to be this way. All you have to do is carve out a few minutes to yourself, and you’ll start to see a massive shift as a result.
So, Kelli’s first tip to makeover your after-school routines is to plan for tomorrow before you leave school. Get your resources ready at the end of the day and create a “Purpose Plan” that outlines what you’re going to do and when.
TOP TIP: Schedule your tasks and activities and assign deadlines to help keep you focused throughout the day. A timer is a great way to keep track of your time and increase productivity!
2. Let it Go!
Many teachers finish up with school and then they’re straight onto the next task such as picking up their kids from day-care or rushing home to make dinner, etc. The problem with this (apart from the fact that it’s physically exhausting) is that there is no real transition period from work mode to family (or home) mode.
It’s worthwhile having a mental and physical transition where possible. For example, you can close your eyes and tell yourself that this part of the day is over and now you can move onto the next part of your day. Think about how you want to be present for the remainder of your day. It’s like a mental check-in with yourself that helps to separate your work life from your home life.
TOP TIP: Choose one thing to leave behind at school and choose one physical action to help release the work day. The physical transition can be something like stretching or taking a brisk walk to help free your mind and switch off from “work mode.”
3. Your One thing
As you go about your day, teaching struggling readers or managing a student's outburst, try and stay positive. Sometimes the life of a teacher is just stressful.
It’s a good idea to pick one thing that you can look forward to all day--whether it’s a quiet bubble bath, movie night in with your spouse, or spending some time with your kids.
Pick something that you’re excited about and reflect on it during your day. This helps to improve your mood because you’re carrying the emotions connected to the thing you’re excited about with you throughout the day. Kelli says brain science proves that this small act of choosing something to look forward to improves mood and perspective. So easy!
TOP TIP: Choose one favorite thing to look forward to in the evening ahead to help get you into a more positive mindset for the day.
4. Pre-Sleep Game Plan
What is your getting ready for bed routine? If you don’t have one, you might want to think about putting one in place because it can really help you have a better night’s sleep.
Think about the things you can do 30 minutes before you go to bed that will help you sleep better. For example, drinking a large cup of coffee before bed? Probably not a good idea. You should also try and avoid screens (TV’s, computer screens and phones, etc.) because it keeps your brain awake.
Instead, consider developing a nightly routine of, say, reading a book, or taking an epson salt bath, or quick stretching/yoga. Plan your disconnecting from work and digital stimulation process.
TOP TIP: Bedtime routines aren’t just for kids. Create and follow a bedtime routine for a long, peaceful night’s sleep!
5. End your day with gratitude
If you’re having a tough day and it feels like the world is falling apart around you, take a moment to reflect on all of the things you feel grateful for in your life.
Gratitude is the fastest way to escape negative emotions. When you can flip the switch from a negative emotion to gratitude, it helps to put everything in perception. Thinking about what you’re grateful for has a calming effect on your mind and your body, helping you to rewind, de-stress and fall asleep.
TOP TIP: Keep a gratitude journal and write down a few things you’re grateful for. When you have it on paper, you can always return to your journal at a later date to remind yourself of all the great things in your life!
Would you like to get your hands on the 1-page cheat sheet for the Top 5 After School Routines? Sign up below to snag a PDF that captures the essence of these After School Routines.
THEN, let us hear from you--what new routine will you adopt? Share in the Comments below!
