I have similar lists, and always have. Then I try to slim them down to shorter, more focused lists so that I know what I have to do NOW... except that by the time I've slimmed down the list, there's more that needs to be done NOW as I should have already done it while I was listing it...
People like your deputy head are a constant source of irritated bemusement (yes, it is possible, but it takes practise) as I can never understand their problem. Streamlining a process is a good thing, surely? Unless, perhaps, you streamline too well and make them look like prevaricating dullards?
I have often thought I would be much more productive, or at least more successful at appearing to be productive, if I were a list maker. As it is, I only make lists when I reach the point of utter overwhelm. I hope that the apparent tendency to reach that point with greater frequency these days will be offset by a cumulative chronological inability to care.
This made me laugh out loud: "I DON’T HAVE TO STAND HERE LISTENING TO YOUR SARCASM!
I have to say, it was tempting to respond by inviting him to sit down instead."
So hilarious... except it is all true. I feel your pain. As a teacher, how many reports did I write? How many forms did I fill out, how many records did I keep that NO ONE EVER LOOKED AT! Not to mention the State Govt. that had each individual teacher keep and file TONS of records that were not meaningful to our jobs in any way. Then they would create a fat statistical statewide book with our data and mail it to us. No one ever needed it, no one ever read it.... Just a major waste of our time and school money... Urrrrgh. Don't get me started. Terry. I LOVED my students and I loved teaching. It was all the bullshit surrounding it that made me happy to retire.
Same here, Sharron. We have had a constant stream of educatiion secretaries who are distinguished by how little they know about education, with one or two exceptions. That, plus a ludicrous amount of workload imposed either by the government or headteachers make the job very difficult. I used to love schoolteaching but like you hated the bullshit.
I have similar lists, and always have. Then I try to slim them down to shorter, more focused lists so that I know what I have to do NOW... except that by the time I've slimmed down the list, there's more that needs to be done NOW as I should have already done it while I was listing it...
People like your deputy head are a constant source of irritated bemusement (yes, it is possible, but it takes practise) as I can never understand their problem. Streamlining a process is a good thing, surely? Unless, perhaps, you streamline too well and make them look like prevaricating dullards?
Prevaricating dullards.... or completely expendable.
Indeed.
LOL. Well-put, Drew.
I have often thought I would be much more productive, or at least more successful at appearing to be productive, if I were a list maker. As it is, I only make lists when I reach the point of utter overwhelm. I hope that the apparent tendency to reach that point with greater frequency these days will be offset by a cumulative chronological inability to care.
This made me laugh out loud: "I DON’T HAVE TO STAND HERE LISTENING TO YOUR SARCASM!
I have to say, it was tempting to respond by inviting him to sit down instead."
So hilarious... except it is all true. I feel your pain. As a teacher, how many reports did I write? How many forms did I fill out, how many records did I keep that NO ONE EVER LOOKED AT! Not to mention the State Govt. that had each individual teacher keep and file TONS of records that were not meaningful to our jobs in any way. Then they would create a fat statistical statewide book with our data and mail it to us. No one ever needed it, no one ever read it.... Just a major waste of our time and school money... Urrrrgh. Don't get me started. Terry. I LOVED my students and I loved teaching. It was all the bullshit surrounding it that made me happy to retire.
Same here, Sharron. We have had a constant stream of educatiion secretaries who are distinguished by how little they know about education, with one or two exceptions. That, plus a ludicrous amount of workload imposed either by the government or headteachers make the job very difficult. I used to love schoolteaching but like you hated the bullshit.
"Chronological inability to care": 🤣
Thanks for the great intro, Tom!