#SOL19 My Business

2/25/2019

"What's the matter with your life?
Why you gotta mess with mine?
Don't keep sweatin' what I do
'Cause I'm gonna be just fine check it out"
-"None of Your Business" by Salt-N-Pepa

Chopping peppers, Oprah's Super Soul Conversations podcast streamed through my hearing aids, keeping me company while I prepared dinner. (Lest you think hearing aids aren't cool- c'mon people! You can steam podcasts through them! And music! And Voxer! Oh, the joys of finally addressing your hearing loss. But I digress...)

This week's episode was with Byron Katie who is new to me. The show notes say she is a best-selling author, speaker and teacher. If I'm keeping it real, she lost me many times and I kind of think she lost Oprah too, because of those clarifying questions Oprah kept throwing out there. One thing she said really struck me- there are 3 kinds of business: God's business, my business and everyone else's business. My job is to worry about my business and my business only.

It made me think about my decisions as a teacher. I'm most unhappy at work when I'm thinking of things I cannot control- when I'm railing against curricular calendars or state tests or the required hours teachers are in front of students vs. other countries where teachers get more time to plan, assess, etc. I'm happiest when I'm staying in my lane, so to speak, doing the actual work of teaching real children, making decisions and planning lessons that will affect my students.

"What concrete steps can I take to be a more thoughtful, intentional teacher?" is the question I must ask instead of trying to solve the broken parts of the education system. What are the things I can directly control and thus improve about my teaching and the learning experience of my students? There is where I will make an impact and there is where I will find more happiness again as a teacher.

What are your thoughts on Byron Katie's view of three businesses?

11 Comments

Glenda Funk link

2/26/2019 04:45:04 am

It isn’t always possible to attend only to our own business, especially as a teacher. I wish it were, but our students’ business serps into our lives; our colleagues’ business often defines what we do as teachers when those colleagues are the ones representing our interests at the district level and making those curricular decisions. When I opened my email yesterday after missing Thursday and Friday, I had no fewer than twenty emails about state wrestling to comb through. In my school the business of sports controls the business of teaching.

I understand the idea of attending only to one’s own business, but it’s a bit simplistic and reductive. (Is that redundant?) Maybe I’ll change my mind after listening to the podcast!

I’d like to hear more about the process of moving to a new site and how you made your choices, as well as what happens to your old posts.

Kathleen

2/27/2019 04:18:13 pm

Hi Glenda!
The Byron Katie interview lost me quite a few times but the idea of attending to your own business appealed to me. I also like the notion that other people's opinion of you is none of your business (Rachel Hollis). I moved to a new site because I have tons of issues with Blogger- people often can't comment and I can never figure out how to fix that. I've been feeling like my blogging life needs some rejuvenation and thought a new site would help. I already pay for weebly accounts so decided to make a new one for myself that includes a blog. I have a link to my past blog site and hopefully I can visit my posts there as I get to know this new space.

Terje

2/26/2019 04:50:44 am

Good question to ask: What is that I can control? As a reflective teacher, you will make the choices that are based on your beliefs and values. Wishing you strength and resilience!

2/27/2019 04:19:25 pm

Hi Terje!
I get lost when I try to solve the problems of the world- I am better solving the problems in my classroom. Or at least happier. It can feel paralyzing when all the problems just seem too big.

Erika Victor link

2/26/2019 05:47:40 am

So much of our school life ends up not being in our control- I loved reading your reflections. Like Glenda, I am curious about your decision to switch blog platforms. Sounds like another slice topic.

2/27/2019 04:20:32 pm

Hi Erika! I feel like I needed some new passion for blogging and I thought a new platform might help me! I also have lots of issues with people not being able to comment on my Blogger site. Trying something new because change is good for the soul!

Leigh Anne Eck link

2/26/2019 08:33:31 am

I so agree with her three types of business. This is a post many of students need to hear! They have a tendency to be more your business is also my business!

I love your reflection on what we can control as teachers!

2/27/2019 04:28:51 pm

Hi Leigh Anne!
I thought it was an interesting idea! There are so many things out of our control but also many things we can have ownership of. Trying to stay in that lane!

@BethMooreSchool link

2/26/2019 12:34:55 pm

I have so much work to do on this - I am TERRIBLE at boundaries. I worry about everybody's business but my own. I'm glad I read your post - good food for thought!

Chris

2/26/2019 04:45:48 pm

Yes - this has been a big topic around my school lately. State testing starts soon, and a few intermediate teachers were pointing out that they have "more stress" than the primary teachers.

Hmpf. I like to tell my students to check themselves before blaming others. Maybe it's time to share that message with my colleagues. Wish me luck!

Brian Rozinsky link

2/26/2019 09:00:17 pm

Reminder to focus & expend energy meaningfully, wisely makes sense. I also wonder what happens when business is (increasingly) collaborative, rather than dividing between mine & everyone else's. I suspect that's when business of communication becomes crucial...

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