K-12 Education: Untangled — Trends, Issues, and Parental Actions for Public Schools
Raising kids can be tough! I know because I’ve been a single mom who raised two kids on my own. And when they get in the K-12 public education system, learning the ins and outs of that system can get you all tangled up, especially when you’re a parent of color. You need to know about the current trends and issues as well as resources necessary to navigate within the system. That’s what the K-12 Education: Untangled podcast is all about — providing you with tools, information and practical actions to help you and your children succeed within the complexities of K-12 public education.
K-12 Education: Untangled — Trends, Issues, and Parental Actions for Public Schools
Episode 135: Small Actions, Big Results — How to Stay Motivated When Life Gets Overwhelming
Feeling drained by the constant stream of educational changes and mandates? You're not alone. Navigating today's K-12 landscape while supporting your children and maintaining your household can leave even the most dedicated parents feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated.
Drawing from Mel Robbins' powerful "Five Second Rule" methodology, this episode provides a practical toolkit for rekindling your motivation, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. The simple act of counting down from five before taking action can transform how you approach challenges - whether it's speaking up at a school board meeting, addressing cultural issues in your child's classroom, or simply finding the energy to help with homework after a long day.
The episode explores essential motivation principles including courage over fear, everyday courage, habit formation, and reducing activation energy - all specifically tailored for parents navigating educational challenges. Learn how breaking down goals, practicing gratitude, journaling, physical activity, prioritizing tasks, mindfulness breaks, rewarding small wins, and visualization can create sustainable motivation when incorporated into your daily routine.
These aren't just theoretical concepts - each strategy comes with specific examples and implementation guidance to help you integrate them immediately into your busy life as a parent. The episode concludes with inspiring quotes from Maya Angelou, Arthur Ashe, and Eleanor Roosevelt that remind us of our agency in challenging situations.
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Welcome to another episode of K-12 Education Untangled. My name is Dr Kim J Fields, former corporate manager turned education researcher and advocate, and I'm the host of this podcast. I got into this space after dealing with some frustrating interactions with school educators and administrators, as well as experiencing the microaggressions that I faced as an African American mom raising my two kids, who were in the public school system. I really wanted to understand how teachers were trained and what the research provided about the challenges of the public education system. Once I gained the information and the insights that I needed, I was then equipped to be able to successfully support my children in their educational progress. This battle-tested experience is what I provide as action steps for you to take. It's like enjoying a bowl of educational research with a sprinkling of mother wisdom on top. If you're looking to find out more about current information and issues in public education that could affect you and your children, and the action steps that you can take to give your children the advantages they need, then you're in the right place. Thanks for tuning in today. I know that staying informed about K-12 public education trends and topics is important to you, so keep listening. Give me 30 minutes and I'll untangle the latest trends, issues and topics pertaining to this constantly evolving K-12 public education environment. In this episode, I'll be sharing my thoughts on ways to stay motivated in spite of current circumstances. Are you exhausted from hearing about the latest decisions, regulations and mandates that pervade our lives, whether you read about it virtually or hear about it in real life? I get it virtually. Or hear about it in real life I get it. Just hearing about it can be tiresome, and if you have people in your lives that tend to dwell on this negativity, it can be both annoying and draining. There are ways to stay grounded during these times, while you're navigating the histrionics of the current environment, as well as supporting your children in school and maintaining the household. I share ways to raise your vibration so that you stay motivated in spite of everything that's going on. In this episode, let's untangle this in this episode. Let's untangle this.
Speaker 1:A few years ago, mel Robbins wrote a book titled the Five Second Rule, which provides ideas that could be utilized as motivational tools to encourage you, especially since your parents navigate the challenges of supporting your children in school as well as dealing with everything else in life. These ideas include the five second rule, which is the cornerstone of the book. It suggests that you could make progress and push yourself to act on a goal by counting down from five to one and then taking action. For example, when you want to accomplish a certain task, to get yourself motivated, you count down five, four, three, two, one and then take action. It's a simple but powerful tool for overcoming hesitation and procrastination, for example, and procrastination. For example, it can be used to encourage parents to engage with their children's education. For example, when parents feel overwhelmed by a school project or helping with homework, they can count down from five and then dive into the assignment with their child to assist them, even if they initially feel uncertain. The principles from the five-second rule can be applied across various areas of life beyond education. It can be used in your career, for example, you can use the five-second rule to boost productivity and take initiative at work. Second rule to boost productivity and take initiative at work, such as leading a new project or speaking up during meetings. This can help overcome procrastination or the fear of proposing new ideas.
Speaker 1:The second principle in the five second rule has to deal with courage over fear. This rule helps you overcome fear and anxiety, which are often what hold people back from acting in their own best interest. By counting down from five again in the order of five, four, three, two, one, then take action. You interrupt these thought patterns and encourage yourself to proceed despite emotions. For example, you can deal with addressing a racial or cultural issue in school and using the five-second rule can empower parents to use this rule as a way to gather the courage to speak up at a PTA meeting or at a school board session when a parent feels their child's needs aren't being met. Counting down can help parents manage the principle of courage over fear to personal development. You can pursue your personal growth opportunities using that five-second rule by doing things like enrolling in a new course or developing a new skill. Rule of courage over fear can combat fear of frustration and failure or imposter syndrome that often accompanies trying something new.
Speaker 1:The third principle is about everyday courage. The book emphasizes that courage isn't about grand gestures but everyday actions. Using the rule of everyday courage can help you take small courageous steps every day toward accomplishing bigger goals. For example, focus on celebrating small victories, such as taking the first step to start a community support group. You can use the five-second rule of everyday courage to start conversations with other parents or teachers that you may not usually have due to shyness or uncertainty. Everyday courage can also be applied to health and fitness. Taking small steps toward a better and healthier lifestyle, such as starting a new exercise routine or trying healthier eating habits, the rule can help parents push through initial resistance and make health a consistent part of their lives.
Speaker 1:The fourth principle is changing habits. By consistently using the five-second rule, you can begin to change your habits and alter your patterns of behavior. This is effective in creating long-lasting change in areas such as health, financial habits, areas such as health, financial habits and personal goals. Now these habits can be applied to benefit the family. You can use the five-second rule to initiate positive changes, like setting screen time limits or regularly scheduling family reading nights. You can count down to transition into these activities with your children. Changing habits can also be applied to financial management. Poor financial habits can often wreak havoc on a family and in order to establish better ones, like budgeting or saving money, you can use the five-second rule of changing habits to get started on financial tasks that you've been putting off, such as setting up a high-yield savings account or cutting unnecessary expenses. Cutting unnecessary expenses.
Speaker 1:The fifth principle is activation energy. This concept refers to the energy required to initiate change. The five-second rule acts as a tool to reduce the activation energy needed to break inertia and start moving toward your goals inertia and start moving toward your goals. For example, you can take initiative in your child's education by reducing activation energy needed to get involved. This could be doing things like volunteering at school or setting up virtual study sessions. These actions, with just the five-second countdown of commitment, can help you overcome inertia and establish new routines. Activation energy can also be applied to relationships to connect with others, such as calling a family member or planning a date night. By counting down from five and making that initial effort, you can build stronger, more meaningful connections. Now, these are just a few examples of how the concepts from the five-second rulebook can be used to inspire positive change in various aspects of your life.
Speaker 1:You can also apply the concepts from the 5-Second Rulebook to help you manage feelings of exhaustion and overwhelm. These ideas may help you, for example, to apply the 5-Second Rule when feeling overwhelmed. You can use that rule to quickly initiate a simple calming activity. Calming activity, for example count down from five and take a short breath to do a breathing exercise or take a quick walk. This helps reset your mindset and provides a moment of pause For the courage over fear principle. It takes courage to admit when you're overwhelmed and need help. Use the five-second rule to find the courage to reach out for support, whether it's delegating tasks at work or asking a partner to share child care responsibilities. Counting down can help you take that first step to communicate your needs.
Speaker 1:Regarding the principle of everyday courage, you can empower yourself to make small, empowering choices daily. Use the five-second rule to start saying no to additional commitments when you're already stretched thin. This regular practice of standing up for your own limits fosters resilience and prioritizes your well-being. Fosters resilience and prioritizes your well-being. The changing habits principle gradually alters habits that contribute to your exhaustion. Initiate small, manageable changes, such as establishing a bedtime routine for better sleep. Use the rule to take the first small step each night, like turning off electronics by a set time.
Speaker 1:The activation energy principle, or the fifth principle from the five-second rule book, means overcoming inertia, which can be tough when you feel tired or overloaded. Use this concept of activation energy to gather just enough energy to start activities that replenish you, like hobbies or meditation. The five-second rule can give you the push to begin these energizing activities, which might otherwise feel too daunting. Overall, the five-second rule is just one example of a personal development book that could serve as a catalyst to take small, manageable actions that gradually alleviate feelings of overwhelm and create space for recovery and balance, for recovery and balance. Taking these small, manageable actions is a notable way to stimulate motivation, because these actions can create a sense of accomplishment and momentum. The actions could include breaking down goals. For example, if someone has a large project at work, breaking it down into smaller tasks can make it more applicable and approachable. Completing each small task provides a sense of achievement routine. You can start the day by picking one large task and breaking it down into smaller, achievable actions. This creates a consistent habit of goal setting and accomplishment that builds momentum over time.
Speaker 1:Practice gratitude Start or end each day by writing down three things you're grateful for. This small act in and of itself can shift your focus to positive aspects of your life, enhancing motivation and overall mood. To incorporate a gratitude practice into your morning or evening routine, you can consistently reflect on positive aspects of your life and nurture a mindset that fuels motivation and positivity. Daily Daily journaling is another action that can be taken to stimulate motivation. You can set aside five minutes each day for journaling about your goals and progress. Reflecting on what you've achieved can boost your confidence and motivation to keep moving forward. You can allocate a fixed amount of time each day for journaling. This routine helps reinforce goal tracking, self-reflection and motivation by acknowledging progress and setting intentions regularly.
Speaker 1:Another action that you can take to stimulate motivation is physical activity. You can incorporate short bursts of physical activity like a 10-minute walk or a stretch session. The physical energy and endorphins released can elevate your mood and motivate you to tackle more tasks. To establish a daily exercise routine of just 10 minutes involves being consistent in some type of physical activity, because it not only improves physical health, but also energizes and motivates you for other tasks throughout the day. Energizes and motivates you for other tasks throughout the day. The next action is to prioritize with a list. In order to build motivation, create a daily to-do list and highlight the three most important tasks. Completing these first can give you a sense of accomplishment early in the day, motivating you to maintain productivity. To establish this as a routine daily, start each morning with a to-do list that includes the day's priorities. This habitual organization sets a clear path for accomplishment and helps maintain focus and motivation.
Speaker 1:Yet another action involves taking mindfulness breaks. Implement short mindfulness or meditation breaks. Even a few minutes can reduce stress and refocus your mind, providing the clarity and energy needed to stay motivated To integrate this into a daily routine schedule. Short mindfulness or meditation breaks at set times each day, consistently practicing mindfulness, can reduce stress and enhance motivation by promoting a calmer, more focused mindset. These breaks don't need to take any longer than 20 minutes, but the act of consistently practicing these can promote a calmer, more focused mind.
Speaker 1:The next action to take to stimulate motivation is to reward small wins. Setting up a reward system for yourself, especially after completing certain tasks or maintaining a habit for a week, allows you to treat yourself to some small treat or a break. This positive reinforcement can increase your desire to continue To integrate this into a daily routine. Regularly set small goals and rewards within your daily routine. Knowing that there's a reward at the end of a task can provide motivation and make routine actions more enjoyable. You get to decide what that reward is.
Speaker 1:The final action to stimulate motivation involves visualizing success. Spend a couple of minutes each day visualizing the successful completion of your goals. This mental practice can generate positive emotions and keep your motivation strong. To integrate this into a daily routine, dedicate a few minutes daily for visualization exercises. For visualization exercises, visualizing success can become a part of your morning or evening routine, reinforcing motivation by mentally preparing you for achieving your goals. By integrating these small actions into daily routines, you can create a structured path to maintaining and enhancing motivation across different areas of your life. Incorporating these practices into daily routines not only promotes consistency, but also helps build a stable foundation of motivation. Over time, routines reduce decision fatigue, making it easier to stay committed to goals and adaptive to new challenges.
Speaker 1:I've talked about eight ways to build motivation, with examples provided. I also shared how to integrate these practices into a daily routine. But what are the strategies that can make these concepts even more applicable? Here are some ideas. When breaking down goals, the strategy is to choose one long-term goal each week and break it into daily tasks. Use a planner or a digital app to outline these steps. For example, if you're aiming to improve your child's reading skills, break it down into daily reading sessions of 20 minutes, researching new books and visiting the library.
Speaker 1:For practicing gratitude, the strategy is to dedicate a specific time each day, morning or night to write down three things you're grateful for and why. An example of this would be to incorporate this into your bedtime routine. Reflect on the moments like a positive interaction with your child's teacher, a successful day at work or simply a sunny day. Regarding daily journaling, the strategy is to set a timer for five to ten minutes each day to jot down thoughts, goals and reflections. For example, you could use this time to note any progress in parenting or personal projects, new insights learned or emotional reflections, helping you stay in touch with daily experiences.
Speaker 1:As an action step to stimulate motivation, the strategy is to schedule specific times for physical activities that fit into your routine, such as walking during lunch breaks or doing home workouts. For example, implement family walking or biking time after dinner, which offers both bonding opportunities and regular exercise. The action of prioritizing with the list incorporates the strategy of beginning each day by listing tasks and highlighting the top three priorities. The top three priorities For example, a priority might include attending a school event, finishing a work assignment and preparing a healthy meal. Review and adjust the list at the end of the day.
Speaker 1:The action of mindfulness breaks involves the strategy of introducing brief wellness breaks in your routine using apps or guided meditations at the same time each day. For example, take a five-minute breathing exercise or mindfulness session after lunch to regain focus and reduce afternoon fatigue. The reward small wins action involves the use of a strategy to identify daily or weekly achievements and establish a reward system that includes simple pleasures or indulgences. For example, if you complete a task, treat yourself to a favorite snack or a brief episode of a cherished show. This positive reinforcement sustains momentum. The strategy involved in the last action of visualizing success is to spend a few moments visualizing achieving your goals each morning to set a positive tone for the day. Tv, the news or anything else, but just visualize achieving your goals each morning before you set out for the day. For example, imagine successfully completing a project at work or seeing your child excel in school, which can be visualized during a morning stretch routine or during your morning commute. By weaving these strategies into your daily life, you can cultivate a routine that not only fosters consistency but also nurtures ongoing motivation and resilience. Put these into practice and see how much more you feel energized and motivated.
Speaker 1:As is the usual case with these personal, thought-provoking episodes, I end with relevant quotes or a clean joke. I invite you to ponder these quotes. If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Maya Angelou Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. You have. Do what you can. Arthur Ashe If you have time to whine, then you have time to find a solution.
Speaker 1:Dd Artner Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Eleanor Roosevelt what are your thoughts on staying motivated in spite of circumstances? Let me know what you're thinking about this by leaving me a text comment on my podcast website, k12educationuntangledbuzzsproutcom. If you don't want to miss out on any of the content that I have provided or what I'll be talking about next, then be sure to subscribe to my podcast on whatever platform you're listening to. This Subscribing is a great way to let me know that you're enjoying my podcast and it helps me make the podcast better for you. Thanks for listening today. I hope you'll come back for more K-12 educational discussions with even more exciting topics to untangle. Until next time, aim to learn something new every day.
