It’s a truth universally acknowledged that finding balance as a teacher and creating a thriving classroom is impossible without working late into the night and sacrificing personal time.
Gotcha! That’s absolutely not true.
The reality? Thriving in the classroom—and life—doesn’t have to come at the cost of your well-being.
In this post, I’ll show you ten simple, impactful hacks that take just 20 minutes a day to help you move from overwhelmed to empowered.
By the end, you’ll feel more in control, less frazzled, and more energized. You might even find yourself wondering how you ever survived without these tips.
So grab a cup of your favorite drink (I recommend a calming chamomile tea for this one) and let’s dive into how you can thrive before the school year ends!
#1. Use the Energy Reset Method
This is a simple, 20-minute breathing and visualization exercise designed to help you recalibrate your energy, shift your mindset, and regain clarity.
When I first started using this method, my goal was to feel less frazzled and more present in my teaching day. I had no idea how much it would transform not just my ability to focus but my overall sense of calm and control.
In the early days of my teaching career, I often pushed through my exhaustion. I thought taking time to pause meant falling behind.
But one particularly chaotic afternoon—after a morning filled with interrupted lessons and escalating behavior issues—I finally tried something different.
I locked myself in my classroom for 15 minutes during lunch, closed my eyes, and just breathed deeply.
I felt the difference immediately. My heart stopped racing, my mind quieted, and by the time my next class began, I was back in control—not just of my classroom, but of myself.
That small moment became my secret weapon for staying calm and collected no matter what came my way.
The plan is simple:
- Find a space where you won’t be interrupted—your classroom during a prep period, your car in the parking lot, or even the staff bathroom.
- Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Take slow, deliberate breaths: inhale deeply through your nose for a count of four, hold for four counts, and exhale through your mouth for eight counts. Repeat this for 10 minutes.
- Spend the remaining time visualizing a peaceful scene—maybe the waves lapping at a shore, a quiet forest, or even a moment when you felt completely happy and at ease. Let yourself be in that place for those 10 minutes.
What you can expect:
The results of the Energy Reset Method can be profound. You’ll feel your body relax and your mind refocus. Instead of reacting to stress, you’ll find yourself responding with calm and clarity.
One teacher I worked with reported that after adopting this method, she started noticing fewer “short fuse” moments with her students. Her classroom management improved because she felt more composed, which her students naturally mirrored.
Try it today. You’ll be amazed how much just 20 minutes can create a reset for your thriving classroom—and your energy.
#2. Make Time for a Micro-Organization Blitz
When you’ve been struggling to stay on top of your classroom chaos—think papers piled high, supplies scattered everywhere, and “missing” lesson plans—something as simple as organizing one small area can feel like a drop in the bucket.
But if you skip this step, the clutter will continue to build, and it’ll be hard to find what you need when you need it.
That sense of disorganization can snowball into wasted time, unnecessary stress, and frustration.
Taking 20 minutes for a Micro-Organization Blitz is like hitting the reset button on your workspace. It doesn’t just create a more thriving classroom—it makes it work better for you.
When you organize intentionally, even in small bursts, you reduce decision fatigue and create a more efficient flow for your day.
For example, a tidy and organized desk makes it easier to locate important materials, while decluttered supply shelves ensure you don’t spend precious minutes hunting for markers or scissors mid-lesson.
What you can expect:
Once you dedicate just 20 minutes to decluttering one area, you’ll experience a tangible sense of accomplishment. That drawer you once dreaded opening becomes a source of calm and utility.
I worked with a teacher who felt perpetually disorganized. Her classroom wasn’t “dirty,” but she described it as “mentally noisy.”
I challenged her to spend 20 minutes each day tackling one zone: her desk on Monday, her resource cabinet on Tuesday, and so on.
Within a week, she noticed a significant change—not just in her space, but in her mindset. She could find things more quickly, felt more in control, and had a better sense of readiness each morning.
Take it from her: “It felt impossible at first, but breaking it into 20-minute increments made it doable. Now I actually want to organize because I see how much better my day flows!”
Give the Micro-Organization Blitz a try, and see how much smoother your teaching day becomes with just a little effort.
Want more info on managing your stress? Have a look over here.
#3. Keep Building a Thriving Classroom Through Micro-Conversations
One of the best things you can do to create a positive and thriving classroom environment is to connect with your students on a personal level. Even when it seems like these moments are too small to matter, taking small, consistent steps to build relationships can transform how students engage in your class.
Let’s face it—sometimes the things that have the biggest impact on your classroom are the ones that feel monotonous and tedious.
And let’s be honest: remembering to check in with every single student, especially when you’re managing a packed schedule, can feel overwhelming.
If you’re spending disjointed amounts of time trying to connect with students without a clear plan, you’re not alone. This is something most teachers struggle with.
I struggled with it, too. In my first few years of teaching, I’d often tell myself, “I’ll make time to check in with students when things calm down.” But the truth is, things never calmed down.
By the end of the day, I was too tired to initiate meaningful conversations, and I felt like I was letting my students down.
The good news is, building connections is a perfect candidate for the 20-minute rule.
Instead of trying to connect with everyone at once or waiting for a “perfect time,” focus on just three students each day. Set aside 20 minutes total—maybe 5 minutes per student with a little extra buffer.
Ask simple, open-ended questions like, “What’s one thing that made you smile today?” or “What’s something you’re proud of this week?”
The plan is simple:
- Write down three students’ names in your planner at the start of the day.
- Spend a few minutes with each, offering genuine encouragement or asking about their interests.
- Use tools like sticky notes to track who you’ve checked in with to ensure everyone gets a turn over time.
What you can expect:
Working in bite-sized time chunks makes connecting with students manageable and meaningful. You’ll find that these small moments foster trust and create a more positive atmosphere in your classroom.
One teacher I coached tried this method and saw remarkable results. She shared, “I started noticing the quieter students coming out of their shells. One student even told me, ‘It feels good that you noticed my hard work on the project.’ That small moment strengthened our connection and motivated him to stay engaged in class.”
Give it a shot—just 20 minutes a day. You’ll be amazed by the ripple effect that intentional micro-conversations can have in your classroom.
Related Post: How National Teachers of the Year Create Transformative Classroom Relationships
Download the Educator’s Guide to Culturally Responsive Teaching now >>
#4. Try the Gratitude Snapshot
If you’ve been firmly in the habit of ending your day by rehashing everything that went wrong—unfinished lesson plans, challenging behaviors, or the ever-growing pile of grading—you may want to consider flipping the script with The Gratitude Snapshot.
Gratitude isn’t just about feeling good; it’s a proven strategy for reframing your mindset and shifting your focus to what’s working in your life.
Studies show that practicing gratitude can reduce stress and improve overall well-being, making it a powerful tool for overwhelmed teachers.
Here’s how to keep this one to 20 minutes so you can test it out and see if it’s a good fit for you:
1. End your day with reflection.
Before leaving your classroom or as you wind down at home, take out a journal or a piece of paper and jot down three things you’re grateful for. These can be as simple as a student’s smile, a productive meeting, or even just making it through a hectic day.
2. Go deeper.
For each item, reflect on why it mattered and how it made you feel. Was it relief? Joy? A renewed sense of purpose? Writing this down reinforces the positive emotions tied to those moments.
3. Create a visual reminder.
If journaling isn’t your thing, try a gratitude jar instead. Write each moment on a slip of paper, drop it into the jar, and watch it fill up over time. On tougher days, pull out a few slips to remind yourself of the good things that have happened.
What you can expect:
When I first tried the Gratitude Snapshot, I was skeptical. How could something so simple make a difference?
But within a week, I noticed a shift. Instead of ending my days feeling overwhelmed, I started feeling accomplished.
One teacher who implemented this strategy shared: “I never realized how much good was happening each day until I started writing it down. Now, even when I’ve had a tough class, I can find something positive to hold onto. It’s made a huge difference in how I approach my work.”
Give it a try. You’ll end your day with a sense of peace and positivity—and head into tomorrow with a lighter heart and a clearer mind.
Have a look at Stefanie Claros’s blog post on appreciation fueling her passion for teaching.
#5. Take the Time to Optimize Your Lesson Planning
We don’t all have the time to overhaul an entire week’s worth of lesson plans in one sitting. And that’s perfectly okay, because nowadays there are other options that don’t require hours of planning or the stress of last-minute scrambling.
You can absolutely still create polished and purposeful lessons by dedicating just 20 minutes to Quick Lesson Optimization. The kicker is, this approach helps you streamline one specific part of your lesson so it’s engaging, clear, and ready to go.
Here’s how you can do this in less than 20 minutes:
1. Brainstorm engaging hooks.
Spend your 20 minutes coming up with creative ways to start your lesson. Think of an intriguing question, a surprising fact, or a short story to grab your students’ attention. Tools like Canva can help you create visually appealing slides for that extra “wow” factor.
2. Organize materials for one activity.
Focus on prepping one specific part of the lesson. This could mean gathering hands-on materials, setting up a digital activity, or outlining discussion prompts. Use digital tools like Google Slides or Jamboard to make your resources easy to access and share.
3. Refine instructions.
Use your time to simplify and clarify instructions for your activity or task. Clear directions save you time during the lesson and reduce confusion for your students.
And of course, consider tools like my Classroom Management Toolkit to address other factors impacting the success of your lessons. This comprehensive resource is designed to help you proactively address and manage challenging classroom situations with more ease.
Click the image below to learn more about the Classroom Management Toolkit now >>
What you can expect:
By focusing your efforts on just one part of a lesson for 20 minutes, you’ll notice a huge difference.
Your lesson will feel more polished, and you’ll go into class with confidence, knowing that at least one element of your plan is ready to shine.
A teacher who adopted this method shared, “Instead of feeling scattered, I felt intentional. I used my 20 minutes to prep a hands-on activity for a math lesson, and my students were so much more engaged because the materials were ready, and the instructions were clear.”
#6. Implement Mindful Movement
The hardest part of maintaining your energy and focus as a teacher is the toll that long hours of standing—or sitting—can take on your body.
This often leaves you feeling physically drained, even if your mind is still racing with all the tasks ahead.
An excellent way to use today’s allocated 20 minutes is to incorporate Mindful Movement into your routine.
My favorite way to do this is through short bursts of intentional movement, because it helps reset both your body and mind while reducing stress.
Here’s how it works in a nutshell:
- Start with seated stretches.
If you’re at your desk, begin with a forward fold. Sit on the edge of your chair, extend your legs slightly, and gently fold your torso over your thighs, letting your head drop. This releases tension in your back and shoulders. - Try yoga poses for alignment.
The cat-cow stretch is perfect for loosening up your spine. On all fours, alternate between arching your back (cow pose) and rounding it (cat pose) while breathing deeply. - Get up and walk.
Take a brisk walk around your classroom or step outside for a loop around the building. Focus on your breathing as you move—inhale for four steps, exhale for four steps.
What you can expect:
The first thing I noticed after using the Mindful Movement technique was how energized I felt, even after just a few minutes. My shoulders relaxed, my head felt clearer, and I returned to teaching with more focus and patience.
One teacher I shared this with said, “I didn’t think I could fit movement into my day, but just five minutes of stretching between classes made a huge difference. By the end of the day, I wasn’t nearly as stiff or tired as usual.”
The more you use Mindful Movement, the easier it becomes to incorporate it naturally into your day. Whether you’re stretching during prep time or walking with intention between classes, these small movements help you reset and recharge, so you’re ready to dive back into your day with renewed energy.
Ready to feel the difference? Set aside 20 minutes today to try these techniques, and let your body and mind thank you!
#7. Remember to Check-In with Colleagues
It may seem counterintuitive, but building in regular time to connect with colleagues means you’ll feel more supported and less isolated in your work.
That’s because shared ideas and encouragement from a trusted network of educators can reignite your passion for teaching and even help you solve classroom challenges more effectively.
Many teachers in our community have had great results by taking 20 minutes during their prep periods or after school to check in with a colleague.
It’s a small investment of time that yields big returns in insight, morale, and collaboration toward a thriving classroom.
With all the other things you need to do—grading, lesson planning, answering emails—it can be tempting to skip over something like a collaborative chat. But don’t!
These moments of connection are not just nice-to-haves; they’re essential for staying grounded and feeling part of a supportive team.
Here are three ways to spend your 20 minutes on a Collaborative Check-In:
1. Share wins and strategies.
Use your time to highlight successes and exchange strategies for common challenges. For example, share a tip that helped you engage a difficult class or ask how a colleague manages their lesson pacing.
2. Brainstorm solutions.
Bring one specific issue to the table and collaborate on ideas to tackle it. Whether it’s a challenging student behavior or finding fresh ways to incorporate technology, two heads are often better than one.
3. Exchange resources.
Take the opportunity to share teaching tools, lesson plans, or other resources. A quick exchange can save hours of planning later and give you fresh material to engage your students.
Related post: The Benefits of Peer Coaching for K-12 Teachers
What you can expect:
There are so many reasons why Collaborative Check-Ins should be part of your routine. Here’s what you’ll gain:
- Fresh insights: You’ll walk away with new strategies or perspectives to try in your classroom.
- A morale boost: Feeling supported and understood by your colleagues can ease the emotional burden of teaching.
- Improved efficiency: Resource-sharing and solution brainstorming save time and help you work smarter, not harder.
One teacher I worked with said, “I didn’t realize how much I was missing until I started checking in with my grade-level team regularly. We’ve shared so many ideas that have made my teaching more effective—and my life easier!”
So, take a moment to schedule your next Collaborative Check-In. Those 20 minutes can transform your day, your teaching, and your connection to your school community.
#8. Plan out Where You Can Say “No”
If you’re like me, you’ve probably dived headfirst into agreeing to every committee, after-school event, and “quick favor” without fully thinking it through. I remember one year when I said “yes” to planning a school-wide event…on top of running my regular classroom duties. Talk about learning the hard way!
By the time the event rolled around, I was exhausted, frazzled, and regretting my inability to set boundaries. That’s when I realized the power of planning out what to say “no” to—and how freeing it could be.
Planning how to set boundaries is actually fun and takes just 20 minutes a week. Instead of diving into everything with an automatic “yes,” you can intentionally decide what aligns with your priorities and let the rest go.
Here’s what my “Power of Saying No” Plan looks like:
- Identify energy-draining tasks.
Spend 10 minutes listing out responsibilities or commitments that feel unnecessary or overwhelming. These are the things that don’t align with your teaching goals or well-being. - Draft polite ways to say no.
Take 5 minutes to rehearse or write down ways to decline politely. For example:- “Thank you for thinking of me, but I can’t commit to that right now.”
- “I’d love to help, but I need to focus on my current responsibilities.”
- Delegate or let go of one thing.
Spend the last 5 minutes identifying one task you can delegate to someone else—or just let go of entirely. Maybe a colleague can co-chair a committee, or you can step back from an optional meeting.
The best part about planning like this is that you end up reclaiming your time and energy for what truly matters—both in and out of the classroom.
Want to know more about setting boundaries? Have a look at this post.
What you can expect:
As I said, saying no strategically can free up valuable time for your priorities.
Just ask my colleague, Sarah, who used this approach after finding herself overcommitted to too many school events. “Once I started saying no, I was able to focus more on my teaching and my family. I’m less stressed, and my students get a more energized version of me.”
Taking the time to plan what you say no to will leave you feeling empowered and more in control of your workload. Start your plan today—you’ll thank yourself later!
#9. Don’t Forget to Celebrate
It can be tempting to skip over your wins and focus only on what’s next—another lesson to plan, another email to send, another stack of papers to grade.
But constantly pushing forward without taking time to reflect and celebrate can leave you feeling drained and unmotivated.
Instead, you can make time for celebration with a simple 20-minute practice to acknowledge your progress and reward yourself for the hard work you’ve put in.
Taking the time to celebrate doesn’t just boost your mood—it helps you stay motivated and reminds you why you started teaching in the first place.
Here’s how to celebrate about your thriving classroom in just 20 minutes a week:
- Journal your successes.
Spend the first 10 minutes reflecting on your week. What went well? Did you have a breakthrough moment with a student? Did a lesson land exactly the way you’d hoped? Write down at least three wins—big or small—and note how they made you feel. - Plan a small reward.
Use the next 5 minutes to choose a reward for yourself. It could be treating yourself to a favorite snack, watching an episode of your favorite show, or planning a fun outing over the weekend. - Share your wins.
In the final 5 minutes, share your successes with a friend, colleague, or your teaching community. Celebrating together reinforces positivity and helps inspire others to do the same.
What you can expect:
Taking time to celebrate your wins will give you a greater sense of accomplishment and joy in your teaching journey.
One teacher I coached shared how this practice transformed her perspective: “I used to feel like I was just surviving the school year, but once I started celebrating my wins, I realized how much I was actually achieving. It made me feel proud of myself and excited to keep going.”
So don’t let your progress go unnoticed. Carve out 20 minutes for celebration, and watch how it boosts your energy and keeps you motivated for the week ahead.
#10. Finally, Ignite Your Teaching Magic
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know how passionate I am about helping teachers move from burnout to brilliance. That’s why I’m thrilled to announce that my Ignite Your Teaching Magic program is now open for enrollment!
This comprehensive program is designed to help you transform your teaching experience, reignite your passion, and empower you to create the thriving classroom you’ve always envisioned.
So if you really want to reclaim your energy, streamline your teaching strategies, and maximize your impact, head on over and check out everything Ignite Your Teaching Magic offers.
It includes everything you need to move from overwhelmed to empowered:
- Four Modules broken into bite-sized videos so you can dive into practical strategies and actionable insights at your own pace.
- Guided Exercises to help you unpack stressors, reconnect with your purpose, and set actionable teaching goals.
- Energetic Practices to help you build resilience, maintain focus and balance, and stay energized throughout your day.
- Interactive Live Coaching Sessions to get real-time support and answers to your biggest challenges.
Click the image to learn more about Ignite Your Teaching Magic now >>
What you can expect:
When you join Ignite Your Teaching Magic, you’ll gain more than just tools and strategies—you’ll rediscover your spark. Expect to feel energized, motivated, and confident in your teaching journey.
Here’s what one teacher had to say:
“Before joining the program, I was ready to quit teaching. But by the end of the first week, I felt like I had the tools and mindset to take on anything. My students have noticed the difference too—I’m more present, more creative, and way less stressed!”
Sound good? Don’t wait because the sooner you get started the easier your teaching will be.
That’s a Wrap! 20 Minutes to a Thriving Classroom
It’s amazing what you can accomplish in 20 minutes when you’re focused and diligent.
As crazy experimenter and thought leader Tim Ferriss said, “Focus on being productive instead of busy.”
The best way to go from an overwhelmed to a thriving classroom is to tackle bite-sized hacks like these often and regularly, and I hope this guide has been helpful for you.
Oh, and let me know in the comments which of these hacks you’re going to try first!
