WE #264- Resisting Change, Embracing Growth: My Journey as a Teacher Towards Time Management and Consistency
Happy weekend, everyone!
Today is a great day to answer one of @galenkp's amazing topics for this weekend: Engagement for Week 264.
Do you feel that you resist change? If yes, then explain why.
Change is one of the most inevitable parts of life, yet it is also one of the most difficult to accept—especially when it disrupts our routines, pushes us out of our comfort zones, and demands transformation in the way we work. As a teacher in a far-flung school, I've experienced firsthand how hard it is to resist change while simultaneously feeling the deep need to grow and adapt.
My journey hasn't been easy. For the longest time, I resisted change, especially regarding work habits and time management. But over the years, I learned that resisting change didn't mean I was weak—it only meant I was human. What mattered more was how I learned to rise from it, manage my time wisely, and be consistent in my teaching responsibilities, which, in the end, shaped me into a better version of myself.
At the beginning of my teaching career, I was often overwhelmed. I struggled with balancing lesson planning, classroom management, paperwork, and community involvement while dealing with the challenges of teaching in a remote area. There were days when I felt like giving up—when the load became too heavy, and time always felt too short. Instead of embracing new systems or finding more efficient methods, I held on to what I was used to, afraid that trying something new might make me fail even more.
But slowly, I realized my resistance to change was holding me back. I couldn't grow because I was afraid of stepping into the unknown. I reflected deeply and asked myself, "Do I want to remain the same, stuck in a cycle of stress and unproductiveness, or do I want to improve, not only as a teacher but as a person?" That's when the transformation began.
The first thing I worked on was managing my time wisely. I started creating daily and weekly schedules for my lessons and everything else that mattered: checking papers, preparing instructional materials, cleaning my classroom, and even personal time for rest and reflection. I learned the power of prioritizing. I asked myself daily: "What must be done today, and what can wait until tomorrow?" I learned to stop chasing perfection and focus more on being effective and present. I stopped procrastinating and used my energy on the most critical tasks. Time management became my ally, not my enemy.
Alongside managing my time, I also began developing consistency. I showed up even on days when I didn't feel like it.I became intentional in doing my job wholeheartedly—preparing well for my classes, coming to school early, supporting my students beyond academics, and constantly learning new strategies to reach them better. I knew consistency doesn't mean being perfect every day; it means being committed to your purpose, no matter your mood, weather, or situation.
What surprised me the most was how much these changes improved me professionally and personally. I became more disciplined, focused, and responsible. I no longer feared change but learned to see it as an opportunity for growth. I started to embrace challenges with a different mindset. Every time a new task or demand came, instead of resisting, I now ask, "How can this help me grow?"
I've seen the impact of these changes not only in my work but also in the lives of my students. When I became consistent, they became consistent. When I showed discipline in time, they learned to value theirs. I realized that my growth as a teacher ripples into the development of my learners. And that is one of the most beautiful outcomes of embracing change.
Looking back, I understand that my resistance to change was rooted in fear and uncertainty. But through time, practice, and reflection, I managed to overcome it. I found peace and purpose in my work by managing my time wisely and practicing consistency. I became more productive, efficient, and fulfilled. I became a better teacher. And most of all, I became a better person—resilient, adaptive, and always willing to improve.