Holding Hands

Holding Hands

I'm not sure if you heard, but I've been working on a project in my English class. It's not a big deal. We've been working for about a month and are still 2 week until we are finished. The kids are motivated, but are starting to get a little restless. I think the happy friendship of work and fun is starting to get strained. 

I think of a project as a couple holding hands while walking down the street. One of them is named Work and other is named Fun. The best projects walk down the street and get to where they are going together. If work tries to get there on its own, it will get there, but miss all the wonderful things along the way. If Fun tries to go it alone, it will be too distracted by the attractions along the way and will never get there. Together, they reach their destination and everyone is happy. However, the longer the walk, the more obstacles they face.

Have you ever held hands and walked down the street? After a while, you have to break the hold because people will not go around you are you both need to avoid an object. The longer you walk, the better the chance you will need to separate. Projects are the same way. If the project is too long, Fun gets distracted and leaves while Work carries on to the destination. The project arrives, but it's not the same.

I'm starting to see Fun and Work lose their grip and it's my job to keep them focused until the trip is over. Positive feedback on blogs and in class are good ways to keep the team together. Emails and notes can help move things forward as well as some overall goofiness in class. Keep the mood light but focused and the project should get to the destination.