Kickstarting Success with a Prioritized To-Do List

"Welcome to the Teaching with Valor Podcast, where we focus on strategies that empower educators, inspire parents, and create impactful classrooms. I’m your host, Don J. Fessenden, and today we’re going to explore one of the simplest yet most powerful habits you can develop to transform your teaching day: starting each morning with a prioritized to-do list.

This isn’t just about jotting down a list of things to do. It’s about creating clarity, setting the right focus, and approaching your day with intention. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how a well-prioritized to-do list can be your secret weapon for staying organized, reducing stress, and maximizing productivity."

TeachingwithValor.com

DJFessenden.com

Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

Transcript

Don: 0:08

"Welcome to the Teaching with Valor Podcast, where we focus on strategies that empower educators, inspire parents, and create impactful classrooms. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today we’re going to explore one of the simplest yet most powerful habits you can develop to transform your teaching day: starting each morning with a prioritized to-do list. This isn’t just about jotting down a list of things to do. It’s about creating clarity, setting the right focus, and approaching your day with intention. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how a well-prioritized to-do list can be your secret weapon for staying organized, reducing stress, and maximizing productivity." The Morning Chaos of a Teacher’s Life:"Let’s begin with a snapshot of a typical morning for many teachers. You walk into your classroom, juggling a cup of coffee, your bag, and maybe a stack of ungraded papers. Students are arriving, emails are pinging on your phone, and a colleague pops in to ask about a last-minute meeting. Before you even sit down, your brain is in overdrive trying to figure out what to tackle first. Does this sound familiar? That sense of being pulled in every direction is exhausting, and it often sets the tone for the rest of your day. But what if, instead of reacting to whatever lands in your lap, you already had a clear plan of action? That’s where the prioritized to-do list comes in. It shifts you from reactive mode to proactive mode, giving you a roadmap for the day ahead." The Science of Focus:"There’s a reason the to-do list has stood the test of time. Research shows that writing down tasks helps free up mental space, allowing you to focus better. But not all lists are created equal. A long, disorganized list can actually increase your stress because it reminds you of all the things you haven’t done. That’s why prioritization is key. When you rank your tasks by importance, you give yourself permission to focus on what truly matters. You also reduce decision fatigue, which is that mental exhaustion you feel when you’re constantly trying to decide what to do next. A prioritized to-do list simplifies your choices and helps you start your day with confidence." How to Create a Prioritized To-Do List:"Here’s how it works. Before you leave school at the end of the day—or before you go to bed if that’s your preference—take five minutes to review your tasks for the next day. Write them down in order of importance. Start with the tasks that are both urgent and important, like finalizing a lesson plan for tomorrow or preparing materials for a meeting. These are your top priorities and should be tackled first thing in the morning when your energy is highest. Next, add in important but not urgent tasks, such as grading papers that aren’t due for a few days or planning next week’s unit. These are the tasks that can wait a little but still deserve attention. Finally, include low-priority items—things you’d like to get done if time allows, like organizing your desk or brainstorming ideas for a future project. And don’t forget to cross off completed tasks as you go. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing a tangible record of your progress." Why Morning Prioritization Works:"Morning is a special time. Your mind is fresh, your energy is higher, and you’re not yet bogged down by the demands of the day. Starting with a prioritized list allows you to harness that clarity and focus it on the tasks that matter most. It also creates momentum. When you begin your day with a clear win—whether it’s completing a lesson prep, responding to a critical email, or setting up your classroom for the day—it gives you a sense of accomplishment that carries over into the next task. This momentum is powerful, and it helps you build a productive rhythm for the rest of the day." A Real-Life Example:"Let’s imagine you’re a middle school math teacher. It’s Monday morning, and your to-do list looks something like this: Finalize the slides for your first-period geometry lesson. Respond to an email from a parent about their child’s progress. Grade last week’s quizzes. Organize the manipulatives for tomorrow’s hands-on activity. Now, without a prioritized list, you might get sidetracked by answering the parent email first because it’s easy and quick, only to realize later that you ran out of time to prepare for your first period. But with a prioritized list, you start with the geometry slides because they’re both urgent and important. You move on to the parent email next because it’s important but less urgent. Grading and organizing the manipulatives can wait until you have a longer, uninterrupted block of time later in the day. By approaching your tasks in this order, you’ve not only reduced stress but also ensured that you’re ready to deliver your best in the classroom." Overcoming Common Obstacles:"Now, you might be thinking,‘This sounds great in theory, but my day is full of interruptions. How can I stick to a to-do list when things are constantly changing?’ The answer lies in flexibility. A prioritized list isn’t a rigid schedule; it’s a guide. If something urgent comes up: like a call from the front office or a student needing immediate help: you can adjust. The key is to return to your list as soon as possible and pick up where you left off. Think of it as your anchor in a sea of unpredictability." The Emotional Benefits of a To-Do List:"Beyond the practical advantages, starting your day with a prioritized to-do list can have a profound impact on your emotional well-being. It reduces that feeling of being overwhelmed because you’re no longer trying to hold everything in your head. It gives you a sense of control, even on the busiest days. And let’s not underestimate the power of crossing things off the list. That simple act releases dopamine, the feel-good chemical in your brain. It’s a small but meaningful reward that keeps you motivated to tackle the next task." A Challenge to Try This Week:"As we wrap up, I want to challenge you to try this for one week. Each evening, spend five minutes creating a prioritized to-do list for the next day. Be specific, be realistic, and don’t overload yourself. Then, each morning, start with your most important task. At the end of the week, reflect on how this habit impacted your productivity, your stress levels, and even your teaching. Did you feel more in control? Were you able to focus better? I’d love to hear about your experience. Drop me a message or tag Teaching with Valor on social media to share your insights." Takeaways:"Teaching is one of the most demanding professions out there, but with the right tools and habits, it can also be one of the most rewarding. Starting each day with a prioritized to-do list is a small change that can lead to big results. It’s about taking control of your time so you can focus on what matters most: to your students, to your colleagues, and to yourself. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Teaching with Valor Podcast. If you found today’s discussion helpful, share it with a fellow educator and leave us a review. And remember, every great day starts with great planning. Until next time, keep teaching with valor."