Before we get started, I have two quick announcements

1.     I’ve been hearing a strong interest in how to support beginning teachers. I went into some key practices last year in episodes 214 and 215, so if you are in the mode to think about how to support your BTs (and ECTs), give a listen to episodes 214 and 215

2.     The July 22 episode of The Assistant Principal Podcast we feature a panel discussion with myself and five assistant principals. Some are national/state AP of the Year awardees and others are just wrapping up their first year as assist principals. The focus of our discussion is being a first year AP! We would love to hear from you. If you have questions, topics, advice, or stories, please consider sharing. Please email them to me at [email protected]. I would love to be able to name contributors but will only do so if you explicitly give permission for us to include your name and affiliation. We are recording on July 15, so don’t wait.

Okay, now onto the episode…

Show Notes, Episode 30: Six Ways to Eliminate Interruptions

About this show:

In a noisy world, is it possible to find the quiet necessary to do work that moves us forward? In this episode, we cover six suggestions for creating a saner and more productive leadership life

Notable Quotes

Frederick: 

“I have been out of higher ed for three years now, and I had just forgotten how disruptive and really how grueling it is to be faced with those constant interruptions, and not just the notifications and things, but being pulled from one task to another”

“Turn off all email notifications on every single device that you have. Just turn it off, and never ever ever ever turn your email notifications on again. There is absolutely no reason.”

“Never use email as a synchronous form of communication… it is not designed to be used that way and if you don’t use it for synchronous communication then you don’t need to have your notifications on.”

“Identify 3-5 people and make sure their calls will always ring through, and then turn your phone on do not disturb”

“When everybody can get ahold of you, you can’t get ahold of your work.”

“When I create pockets of time where I can concentrate fully and not be distracted, I am going to be so much more efficient”

Six ways to eliminate interruptions:

1.     Turn off all email notifications

2.     Never use email for synchronous conversations 

3.     Create a google doc to share FYI information

4.     Identify 3-5 people who have to be able to get ahold of you, program them in your phone to always be able to ring through, and then turn your phone on do not disturb

5.     For every minute of the school day, have one individual that is on call and rotate who that individual is

6.     Educate all stakeholders as to what you’re doing

Links:

My email: [email protected] 

The Assistant Principal Podcast website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/appodcast.html 

Sign up for the daily leadership email: https://mailchi.mp/c15c68e6df32/specialedition 

Website: www.frederickbuskey.com

Blog: www.frederickbuskey.com/blog (reposts of the daily email)