Fewer Things, Better: The Courage to Focus on What Matters Most

This book helped me a lot. I have a very difficult and high maintenance class this year. I have been staying later than usual and have been experiencing burn out. I thought this book would just help with little class maintenance strategies, but it helped with so much more. If someone told me this book was about your overall philosophy and mindset, I probably wouldn't have read it. I just wanted something quick. This book was deeper which I didn't think I wanted but realized I needed it! I read it over fall break. When I got to the philosophy, deeper parts, I thought, Ughhh I'll just read it quickly. Next thing I knew, I went back and began rereading. Next thing I knew, I was waking up in the middle of the night jotting notes. It has hit me in the face what a micromanager I have become and how I have about 500 third rails that suck my time that aren't important. I'm so glad I read this book. I went back to school after fall break and my changes have made a positive difference. *Another note is I read a book by A. Watson a long time ago and didn't love it. This book was a game changer though. So even if you don't think you are an A Watson fan, this book may could help you...And I'm becoming a fan now.

I have been following Angela Watson since 2016 when I began to listen to her podcast and shortly after joined the 40 hour Teacher Workweek. At that time I was in my 8th year of teaching and not in a very healthy place, working every weekend and so, so physically and emotionally drained. Through her and the resources and practical advice and often deep wisdom, I began to hope and grow.So, when I heard that this book was coming out, I begged for an advance copy! Every time I open it, I feel like I am having a real conversation with Angela, someone who understands all the facets of education through the special lense of a teacher, but so much more.In her words, "The years will pass by. It is my choice how I will spend my time." Woe! A paradigm shift here. Yet, she is not preachy at all!A few things that hit me between the eyes are:* Insecurity drives the way we spend our time.*We get frustrated that no one understands that no one understands the demands of teaching unless they have done it. So, we feel the need to prove ourselves!*We have a "Savior Complex" where we feel that we need to save our students.We are not always the hero of kids' stories'! We need to empower them to be the heroes in their own story!She gets us, teachers! There is hope and solutions! How do you want to live your life as the years pass?Thank you, Angela, for your courage and bravery to be vulnerable and open up conversations that are long over due. Thank you for, with humility and honesty, giving us a reality check, so that we can become the best version of ourselves!

"You CAN'T do it all (and you don't have to try)"With these introductory words, Angela Watson sets the tone for a book that speaks the truth. And it’s not a truth I’ve heard elsewhere.Educators are very much in need of the truth on these pages. Our educational system needs to hear these truths, too!I have started a mini-book club with some colleagues who are ready to do fewer things better. We are re-examining what we do and why we do it. Some of what we do is because of our individual mindsets, and some of it is because of the external expectations (perceived and real) that make us feel that we have to keep doing more than what is reasonable.Angela helps educators examine the root cause for the endless demands on our time and energy. She explores the stories that we tell ourselves as teachers and even looks into the history of some of these stories that have insidiously settled in to the collective subconscious of educators.This book is groundbreaking. Angela is a lone voice in a sea of messages that tell educators to do more and more. I fervently hope that so many educators will buy this book that it will result in a sea-change. A radical shift in how teachers value their own expertise and time so that our communities and schools will likewise value what matters most: Schools that focus on the wellbeing of all its members so that teachers can do their best teaching and students can do their best learning.I highly encourage educators to get this book and to share it widely!

All of Angela Watson's books are insightful and impactful. This book is one that has made a great difference in my work/life balance. From the simple to understand yet not-so-simple-to-implement concept of budgeting our time to the gut checks "If it's a priority, we find the time; if not, we find an excuse" or "What would happen if I didn't do this?", from IMPOSTER SYNDROME (Ugh!!!) to figuring out what balance looks like for you and then actually building the habits to create boundaries and routines around that self-care, this book is a great read for those who are looking for a wake up call in their career by continuing the work they are doing while also making themselves and their wellness a priority, too.

If you are a teacher and struggling with work load, I strongly suggest you give this a read. The author has tried really hard to be relevant to anyone in in teaching (male, female, with kids, without, British, American, primary, secondary etc) with an easy to read and understand approach. Not everything applies to everyone but there feels to be something useful in there for all.

This book has the potential to disrupt the way teachers live their lives in and out of school. I've followed Angela Watson's work for 2 years now, and I have learned and changed so much about how I teach and how I live my life. I would strongly recommend this book to any teacher, and then also suggest doing the free mini course available on Angela's website that accompanies this book. It's not easy to confront a lot of the principles that she brings up but if you are willing to do the work you could have a much happier and fulfilling life at work and at home.

This book has completely changed how I interact emotionally with my job on a daily basis. This is my 20th year of teaching and I was dubious as to what this book could teach me about how to manage the daily guilt that teachers face. I was so pleasantly surprised and humbled that I to find that I still have much to learn about work / life boundaries! Fewer Things Better taught me that I am the one who determines what to prioritize during my daily span, that I am the expert in the room and valuing how and where I put my energy is the wisest moment-to-moment choice I can make for myself, my family and my students. I particularly loved Angela's way of quietly questioning ourselves when things seem overwhelming by asking "What would this look like if it were easy?" I have recommended this book to ALL of my teacher colleagues and friends outside of the field as well because I feel it contains important messages about how to gain agency in terms of living a meaningful life, at home and at work.

I first got the audio version of this book but my problem was that since I was listening to it in my car I had no way of recording all the incredible moments that I wanted to remember so I decided to buy the book. Actually, I bought three copies because I immediately thought of two other teachers in my life that would also love this book.In this book Angela Watson encourages the reader to take a step back and reevaluate their teaching practice and life. Although this book is aimed at teachers it would be a valuable read for anybody who finds themselves on automatic pilot just making it through their day. She helps you take a step back, examine how you spend your time and then to focus on the things that really matter. She does tell you what to do but rather asks the BIG questions that lead you to the changes that will make your life less stressful and more fulfilled.

As an educator, I have valued Angela Watson's forthright, practical commentary on all aspects of the teaching profession for a number of years. Angela is a former classroom teacher who has become a leading instructional coach, speaker and productivity guru - while staying in touch with the realities imposed by our hectic modern lifestyle. Her latest book clearly and compassionately addresses those who need actionable steps to overcome indecision, procrastination, burnout, trauma fatigue and more. Although many of the examples provided in the book relate to the working life of teachers, I would strongly recommend this book to people in other professions as well. "Fewer Things, Better" is much more than a time-management guide; it's an exploration of how to free yourself from unrealistic expectations and create a healthy, authentic lifestyle. Invest in yourself and read this book!