Seven Simple Ways to Reclaim Your Evenings
Seven Simple Ways to Reclaim Your Time (Yes, your evenings and weekends...)
Hey friend,
Let’s be honest... None of us feel “caught up” right now. But, always remember, that does not mean you’re failing. It just means you’re doing the work of three people with the time of one.
If you’re the only gifted coordinator, juggling multiple campuses, endless paperwork, and trying to build everything from scratch with zero examples… it’s not just you. You’ve been left on Gifted Island.
So, I want to toss you a lifeline.
🛟Here’s your first rescue move: open your Google Calendar and block off non-negotiable planning time. Not just for tasks, but for planning and maybe a little breathing room. That small boundary keeps the burnout tide from pulling you under.
Once you’ve got your breathing space, it’s time to bring in the systems.
I didn’t create a smooth, compliant gifted program by working harder. I did it by swapping chaos for structure. Over time, I curated what I think of as Zero-Stress Systems. These are the automations and templates that quietly save me hours every single week. I want you to save time too! So, I created a list of things I stopped doing manually.
🛑Here are 7 things you can Stop Doing Manually:
Screening and referral paperwork by hand - reuse digital forms or sheets so you have access to the files the entire time
Searching for a thought partner? You can borrow mine. I created a custom Gifted Sidekick gpt. It's just that extra review or focused search that helps you as you plan, set goals, write emails, and more.
Shuffling files between campuses - Google Drive or OneDrive are excellent filing cabinets you can access anywhere!
Digging through twenty tabs for that one parent email - Use a gifted hub! I use mine to keep templates, resources, exemplar texts, tech tools, contacts, you name it... I plug it into my Gifted Hub.
Rewriting the same Gen Ed communication again (and again) - Templates, templates, templates! And don't forget your Gifted Sidekick.
Spending hours finding real, high-quality gifted lesson resources - Online collaborative groups are the best way to stop the non-stop search and scroll!
Rebuilding your yearly program plan from scratch - Use a long-term planner with lesson or topic bank so you're not staring at a blank screen each time you start a new lesson or unit.
The secret? Create a systemized command center that helps you find what you need fast and systems that automate as much as possible. That's how you can finally reclaim your evenings and your sanity.
Want all seven systems—ready to go? I bundled every template, link, and how-to into one free resource:
👉 Download Seven Simple Fixes Toolkit
Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Systems save your time, but community saves your spark.
Join our Facebook group, meet other educators who get exactly what your days look like, and stay in the loop with our Newsletter list. 👉 Get Updates, Strategies, & Resources Delivered to Your Inbox
You deserve to lead with clarity and still have energy left for the people and things you love most.
Remember, our online collaborative group is only as strong as its members. Let's keep showing up for out gifted learners and for each other.
Cheering you on,
Michelle Robinson
Gifted Ed Solutions
Let’s stay connected:
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Written by Michelle Robinson, founder of Gifted Ed Solutions. Helping gifted teachers get off “Gifted Island” and teach with joy again.
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Want Early Finisher Ideas for your Gen Ed Colleagues? You can find them HERE
Let’s share what’s working and help each other keep standing.
