When thinking about time management, I note that this is an area where I struggle. Partially, I hate saying no to things. Therefore, I have a tendency to double book myself. This is an area I continue to work on. Perhaps my most positive area of growth is utilizing the phrase, "I need to check my calendar." It's not a no but it is a more responsible step towards balance. It has also led to better awareness of how I am spending my time as a counselor.Currently, my time has been dedicated to Minute Meetings. These are short opportunities for me to connect with students in a 1-1 session. The set up of these involves partnering with teachers, and working through their rosters one student at a time. Within about two weeks, I have completed nearly 200 minute meetings. That's 200 students that I've intentionally worked to connect with and find out about how they are doing and what they want in their futures.
So why spend so much time on this? It takes time away from getting other projects going (e.g. groups, student need follow up, preventative meetings). It can be draining. I'm never 100% sure of what the student will share with me. However, one of my priorities is to connect and serve all my students. That's 500 students whose names I need to learn and connections I need to make. This has been one way that has helped me learn those names and build those relationships. Thankfully, my teachers also value these conversations and understand that when crises come up, Minute Meetings are postponed. Getting back into them, comes back to my time management and prioritizing my counseling program.
For more ideas with Minute Meetings please comment, or check out these blog posts:
- http://www.schcounselor.com/2011/12/got-minute.html
- http://jyjoynercounselor.blogspot.com/2012/01/minute-mtgs.html
- https://www.schoolcounselingfiles.com/blog/category/minute-meetings
- https://lisakingcounselor.com/index.php/2016/09/13/minute-meetings-what-why-and-how/
