Every year, education becomes more complex. There is more to do, more to worry about, and more to understand. In a profession that can feel overwhelming, maintaining focus is not just helpful—it is essential.
In For Love of the Game, the aging pitching ace Billy Chapel (Kevin Costner) finds himself in New York one last time, facing the Yankees. As Chapel prepares to throw the first pitch, he scans the stadium, locking in on the insults being hurled his way by hostile home fans.
To center himself, Chapel utters a simple phrase: “Clear the mechanism.” Instantly, the surrounding noise fades away. His focus narrows to one thing—the batter standing in front of him.
Spoiler alert: Chapel goes on to pitch a perfect game. He accomplishes this rare feat because he is able to separate distractions from the task at hand.
If only teaching were that simple.
Teachers can’t just say “Clear the mechanism” as they walk into class and expect every student to follow directions, participate enthusiastically, support one another, and master the content. But while the solution may not be that easy, the principle still applies.
The best way for educators to maintain proper focus is by continually asking one guiding question:
“Is this what is best for my students?”
Two of the most common distractions that pull educators away from what is best for students are time wasting and emotional energy drains.
Time Wasting
The responsibilities of educators are vast, and the school day is finite. Teachers and administrators must prioritize their time based on what yields the greatest benefit for student learning.
One helpful exercise is to track your activities—outside of direct instruction—for a week and then reflect on the impact each activity has on student learning.
Example (One Day):
- 7:30–8:00 – Making copies
Low impact on student learning - 11:30–11:50 – Eating lunch
Low impact on student learning - 11:50–12:10 – Comparing common assessment data with PLT
High impact on student learning - 12:10–12:30 – Revising future lesson plans based on data review
High impact on student learning - 12:30–1:00 – Searching the internet for project ideas
Medium impact on student learning - 3:30–4:30 – Providing meaningful feedback on student assignments
High impact on student learning
This is a simplified snapshot of how a teacher might use time before school, during planning, and after school. Some tasks—despite their low impact—are unavoidable. However, these tasks should be minimized whenever possible, or approached more efficiently.
For example, if you find yourself spending an excessive amount of time making copies, consider alternatives. Can technology replace some paper? Could students use notebooks instead of receiving a handout for everything? Would a classroom set suffice instead of individual copies?
Another powerful strategy is to ask a colleague you consider a master teacher to track their time as well. After a week, compare notes. You may be surprised by how differently they prioritize their day.
When you become more aware of how you spend your time, increased efficiency naturally follows.
Emotional Energy Drains
Teaching is emotionally demanding. If you want to socialize with an educator on the weekend, make it Saturday—because many teachers are asleep by 8:00 p.m. on Friday night.
Passion, enthusiasm, and energy are essential to great teaching. To keep those qualities at peak levels, educators must identify and avoid emotional drains.
Common Energy Drains Include:
- Complaining Colleagues – Conversations centered on everything that is wrong with education
- Negative Student Talk – Focusing on “problem students” rather than solutions
- Emotionally Charged Emails – Reading and responding to hostile or accusatory messages from parents
- Power Struggles with Students – Constantly trying to assert control rather than build relationships
- Obsessing Over Failed Lessons – Wallowing in what didn’t work instead of learning and moving forward
It is nearly impossible to get through a school day without encountering one—or several—of these energy suckers. The key is recognizing them for what they are and quickly redirecting your focus toward high-impact student-centered work.
When too much time is spent in emotional drains, maintaining positivity, enthusiasm, and passion in the classroom becomes nearly impossible.
While it may not be as simple as “clearing the mechanism,” intentionally focusing your time and energy on what is best for students leads to greater job satisfaction—and better outcomes for the learners we serve.
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