The idea of baby steps has an intuitive obviousness about it. For years, I have loved using the term, illustrating it with examples. Preaching it to others. But practicing it was a different matter. You’re looking at a card-carrying procrastinator.
Yet to survive as a teacher, you must work efficiently. Otherwise… well otherwise you burn out and get a different job.
So today, when I have 5 minutes, I sort the jumbled mass of homework papers in the purple turn-in box. Group the papers by assignment. Bind them with paperclips color coded to class. No grading. No looking at names. No red pencils. Just get them organized. And then back to teaching the class.
I know this is something you already know. And I distinctly remember my mother giving me baby steps advice long ago. But I didn’t want to hear it, and I didn’t take it. This late in life, becoming a teacher forced it on me.
My Procrastinators International membership card lies abandoned on the floor. I am a better person for it.