You’re an Educational Technology professional. How can you balance your work and personal lives?

Lograr un equilibrio entre la vida laboral y personal es crucial, pero puede ser un desafío. La naturaleza exigente del trabajo, la constante innovación y la accesibilidad a las herramientas digitales pueden difuminar las líneas entre ambos aspectos. Es fundamental establecer límites claros, priorizar el tiempo, cuidar el bienestar, desarrollar una red de apoyo y ser flexible. Define horarios de trabajo específicos, aprende a decir "no" a solicitudes no esenciales, delega tareas, duerme lo suficiente, come sano, haz ejercicio, practica técnicas de relajación, busca apoyo en colegas y familiares, únete a comunidades online y sé paciente contigo mismo. El equilibrio es un proceso continuo que requiere adaptación constante.

Set boundaries for work hours. I usually reply in 24 hours during the week and 48 on weekends and holidays. If it is urgent, I forward to the "help desk" at the District level.

In my experience, I work only during normal working hours and clock off or finish all work-related activities after an 8-hour work day. This leaves at least another 8 hours (4 before work, and 4 after work) to enjoy time with family or do recreation or physical activities. The other 8 hours are totally for sleeping, which totals my typical 24-hour day.

Considero que equilibrar o trabalho com a vida parte de um princípio básico: O trabalho serve sua vida e n?o o contrário. Quando você define isso, tudo fica mais fácil. Perdeu uma noite de sono pensando no trabalho? Já sabe que no outro dia precisa resolver, afinal de contas o trabalho serve sua vida e n?o o contrário. Alguém disse para você perder uma data importante por conta de compromisso do trabalho? Já sabe o que fazer.. Afinal de contas o trabalho serve sua vida e n?o o contrário. é isso que fa?o já faz muito tempo e se intensificou depois do nascimento do meu primeiro filho.

One thing I found helpful, is to tailor the unit/lessons content and summative assessment according to the students/group profile. When doing the planning, analyse and consider and set in the goal setting for the units and lessons: What do I want ALL the students to accomplish; what some should be able to achieve, and what some should be able to attain. this allows me to select and balance the amount of content and learning goals and this help me to have a frame to work and even to decide the type of differentiation can be applied in a realistic way to try to avoid overwhelming me and the students.

One of the most impactful strategies I have used is a robust "to-do" list. I remake my list every day, with items that are a must complete by the day. Then, I have the nice-to-have items, and finally, "would love to ponder on." By keeping myself organized by priority, I am able to stay productive day after day and feel great about my weeks on Friday afternoons.

I always made schedules of my daily routine.. then follow accordingly... it made easy for me to manage my job and home... Schedule of Daily routine helps u to set goals, follow it and make it possible

I use Microsoft Planner for our team projects, and my individual goals. It is not ideal for large teams, but it’s included in our Office365 license so we use it. We’ve also built PowerAutomate flows around it to help with efficiencies.

Set boundaries. Reflect on what is important to you in life. Use TEAMS and ZOOM for meetings where possible and appropriate.

Plan, Organise, Execute and Review. This is what I do and of course being a team leader I make sure to inculcate the same culture in my team. Setting clear and realistic goals are certainly needed alongside. At times when target is on higher side then Innovative ways should be explored.

While it's tempting to have everything sync with your phone, set boundaries early. Set "do not disturb" hours on any work related apps so you don't get notified of emails, Teams notifications, etc. outside of the work day. Allow yourself to disconnect. There is no EdTech emergency that can't wait until the next morning so don't feel guilty about not being available 24/7.

Since Nov 2023 I separated my work phone and personal phone. I stopped bringing my laptop home with me. I am in office from 8.30 am to 5.30 mostly and then I restrict myself from working further onscreen. I can still read and write for my courses in the evening but without using my laptop or work phone. This kind of strategic control of overusing technology helped me to take out time for evening walk, cooking, relaxing, and spending some quality time with my loved ones and myself.

In my experience, it is very easy to let edu work take over your life. There are so many worthy projects and initiatives that I am passionate about however, at the end of the day family and lifelong friends are just as worthy. I plan specific time that I dedicate to both areas and work very hard to be present with both. Working in higher ed is extremely rewording but the work never ends and you have to realize that when YOUR work is done, you will still need family and friends and you cannot neglect them and expect them to be waiting in the wings for decades while you blaze your edu trail.

Really important for me to have a dedicated 'space' to work. I used to find that I couldn't stop thinking about work because I always had my computer by my side. That changed when I started leaving my computer on my desk. That is now where I work.

You are allotted vacation and sick time for a reason—take them. Make the doctor’s appointments, schedule the coffee dates, go for a hike — be sure you are away from the computer and turn off notifications. It’s not selfish, it’s important for your physical and mental health.

Working hard can become obsessional. And maybe there's an argument that those who are relentless in their pursuit see results more often more quickly. That being said, slow and steady wins the race OVER TIME. We cannot press the gas pedal full speed in every part of our journey. There's times where the best thing to do is hit the brakes, stop at the "service station' (time out with loved ones, a walk, a sleep) and give ourselves some space to just BE. AND then get back to things fresh and ready for more!

Efficient time management is a crucial aspect of effectively managing work and home chores and achieving our goals. Once we set a goal, the first and most important step is to manage our time properly. Even when we are faced with numerous problems and hurdles, it is imperative to remain calm and complete our tasks in a relaxed manner, whether we are at home or in the office. With the right mindset and time management strategies, we can overcome any obstacle and accomplish our goals with confidence.

Los descansos son la mejor forma de despejar la mente y dejar tu cerebro trabaje mientras haces algo más. Antes de descansar anota todos tus pendientes (sí con lápiz y papel) para que puedas liberarte de esos pendiente y luego retomarlos.

Taking breaks and recharging is crucial for maintaining productivity and well-being, especially in the field of education. Stepping away from work allows educators to rest, recharge, and return with renewed focus and energy. It helps prevent burnout, enhances creativity, and promotes overall mental and physical health. By incorporating regular breaks into their routines, educators can sustain their effectiveness and ensure quality teaching and learning experiences for themselves and their students.

How about engaging in social impact projects or digital detox retreats? Imagine using your tech skills for causes that light up eyes and heal the world, or choosing to step away from all screens to find the magic in personal connections and the natural world around us. These moments are not just breaks from the digital buzz but are fuel for your soul, reminding you why you fell in love with EdTech in the first place. It's about finding harmony by marrying your drive for innovation with the simple, yet profound joys of human touch and nature's embrace.

I started journaling with colorful markers for 5 minutes almost every morning. This helped me use another side of my brain, and ultimately keeps me balanced with so much digital work. And I love my houseplants. I have ones that are easy to care for (ie. forget to water for 3 weeks and they are still alive). It’s a hobby I can focus one as at break from my WFH job.

Actively schedule time for activities that you are passionate about, be it reading, sports, arts, or anything else. Engaging in hobbies can reduce stress and improve mental health, which in turn can make you more productive and fulfilled in your professional life.

I like to make crafts: bags, shirts, cards, I also like to read and go to the movies with my family, meet with my friends and have a fun time, it helps me a lot and clears my mind from work during the week.

Pursuing passions and hobbies outside of work is crucial for a balanced life. Engaging in activities that enrich your mind, body, and soul brings joy and fulfillment beyond the professional sphere. Whether it's creative arts, gardening, or music, finding hobbies that inspire you can enhance overall happiness and life satisfaction.

I use my support network to bounce ideas off of, it gives me a safe place to think through new ideas. This works especially well with folks who are not in ed-tech. Can someone outside of the industry understand your idea and agree that it makes sense? If so, that is a great start!

I make it a point to block out time for focused work, but importantly, other priorities that address my wellbeing. That way, when my calendar says I should be prioritising myself, I don't feel guilty that I'm not focused on my work.

Gracias a las redes sociales, la comunidad de tecnología educativa internacional ha crecido mucho en los últimos a?os, y somos muchos los docentes que compartimos recursos e ideas para llevar al aula. En esta red se puede encontrar un gran apoyo, que complemente al que las personas de nuestro entorno nos aportan. Es tan importante pedir ayuda como prestarla, compartiendo todo aquello que nos preocupa y motiva a seguir adelante.

One thing that I have found helpful is to create an accountability group. I meet with mine every Monday evening. For the most part, we: ??Share updates on growth and challenges ??Garner feedback ??Cheer each other on ??Push each other ??Celebrate big and small wins At the end of EVERY call, we go around and tell each other what our small, medium, and/or large goal(s) are for the week. When we meet the following week, we start over again by sharing our updates on growth and challenges. Since we made a commitment to meet, we have grown as a group that has built trust. I can receive some hard feedback from any of one them (and vice versa), and it will be valued because we have gotten to know each other.

Connecting with your support network is vital for balancing the demands of work and personal life, particularly in the challenging field of Educational Technology. Regularly reaching out to family, friends, colleagues, mentors, or peers for support, sharing experiences, and expressing gratitude can provide essential emotional backing and perspective. This mutual support network is key to navigating the complexities and stresses of professional life.

Algumas sugest?es na minha vida é utilizar aplicativos e ferramentas de produtividade para gerenciar tarefas e tempo. Criar um espa?o de trabalho em casa que seja ergon?mico e livre de distra??es. Fazer pausas para se conectar com a natureza e relaxar. Praticar técnicas de mindfulness e medita??o para reduzir o estresse. E também, celebrar seus sucessos e aprenda com seus erros.

I've discovered that embracing technology's FLEXIBILITY is key to harmoniously blending work & personal life. I prioritize self-care and leverage automation for efficiency. By harnessing Gen AI, I've streamlined my learning design workflows considerably. AI-assisted tools for content creation & rapid prototyping have reduced the time I've spent on repetitive tasks, allowing me to dedicate more quality time to activities I love, like gardening, skiing, cooking, and enjoying moments with my husband. Mindful integration, not rigid separation, is crucial. By intentionally weaving work & play, I find greater fulfillment in both realms. It's an ongoing journey, but with the right mindset & tools, it's achievable - and incredibly rewarding.

Why do we continue to rely upon an antiquated industrial model in the field of education? The "top-down" management model is highly ineffective, wasteful, breeds resentment, and ignores the valuable informed insights of those who are most informed in the field (teachers with experience). The American education system will always be broken until teachers are valued as professionals rather than pawns to be directed by those with questionable experience in the classroom.

Work life balance is key to ensuring that we practice what we preach. In the realm of adult learning, it is crucial that there is an element of active and enjoyable learning. As professionals who work in that realm, having the right kind of balance is crucial. These are the steps I take: - Make a weekly diary and work plan. - Have a daily tracker of tasks and close them on criticality. This ensures that I have space for ad hoc tasks. - Avoid receiving any work calls on weekends. - Dedicate time for personal hobbies. Eg: Writing, blogging, practicing music. - Find time to workout everyday for at least 40 mins. (Trust me, it helps to add value) - Keep devices away at least 20 mins before sleep. This ensures quality sleep.

Balancing work and personal life is all about setting boundaries and priorities. Schedule time for both work and personal activities, and stick to your schedule as much as possible. Make sure to communicate your needs with your support network, and don't hesitate to ask for help when needed. Remember to also carve out time for self-care and relaxation to recharge yourself.