Education Matters

Education matters

June 20 - 26, 2018
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Gulf Weekly Education matters

It was Abraham Lincoln who said that if he had six hours to cut down a tree, he would spend four hours sharpening the axe.

This is a very wise statement from a legendarily wise man. It makes reference to the importance of what taking care of the tools of your trade so they work to their maximum efficiency, thus reducing the time needed to do the job effectively.

Recently it was announced that Premier League footballers in England will be granted a two-week winter break to recuperate mid-season, lessening their chances of injury toward the end of the season and ensuring that they are in their best form to the benefit of those who pay their million pound wages, the fans.

So, two examples of how rest and relaxation is to the significant benefit of those taking it as it strengthens the spirit, refreshes the mind and takes care of the body.

The long summer holiday is looming and whilst that is to the absolute consternation of every other occupation in the world, it is an absolutely necessary break for children and teachers so they can refresh themselves and return to the classroom alert and inspired to do it all again.

That, however is only a half truth, because it’s what teachers and children do with their time off that will directly influence how inspired and refreshed they are when they return in the autumn and this where Lincoln’s quote begins to take on relevance in the world of education.

If the teacher spends no time at all reflecting on their performance in the previous year, considering the career goals they have for the next and spending at least some of their leisure time reading and increasing their professional knowledge, the six to eight weeks holiday in my opinion are wasted time. 

A friend and former colleague of mine introduced me to the book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R Covey in which the author applies Lincoln’s quote to everyday life. Referring to a saw rather than an axe, he states that sharpening the saw means preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have – you.  This is a very valuable life lesson and one when heeded can become a habit for life.

So, how to sharpen the saw? According to Covey, it requires a commitment to one’s self both physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally.

This means using the time we have to ensure we are working to capacity by listing the areas of our lives in which we want to improve ourselves and listing how we can start.  The holidays are an excellent time for broadening the mind through travel, starting personal health and fitness programmes or increasing our knowledge of our profession or the world around us, but they are also a time for reflecting on our previous behaviours, our relationships, our values and our perceptions.

This summer therefore, I urge teachers and students alike to start their holidays with a view to sharpening their saw because as Covey himself puts it: ‘You may think that you don’t have time to exercise, build friendships or get inspired, but in reality you don’t have time not to. The downtime you spend sharpening your saw will pay you back immediately because when you resume your normal routine, you’ll cut that much faster’.

 







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