Are you on your “back-to-school” schedule, yet? Or, is it just me that does that?

The challenges during the pandemic have taught me many things, but the one important lesson l have learned is that I need a schedule. The back-to-school season has, in my life, marked returning to a schedule, getting serious and back to business. No more dog days of summer or half-day Fridays. Since dealing with the pandemic, nothing more can be truer in ushering in this season. I believe we are all conditioned as children that September brings an emotional feeling of getting “back” to it with a sense of urgency and a full commitment to doing better and being better.

My teenage daughter started back to school this week, full time and in-person, after experiencing remote learning for most of the past year and a half. She was looking forward to getting back in the classroom, participating in sports and school activities. Most importantly, she was looking forward to getting “back” to socializing, camaraderie and meeting new kids.

While she was looking forward to it, we were too. My husband and I are excited for a schedule of focused and uninterrupted work time since both of us work from home. There I said it. It sounds selfish but we adults need a schedule too. If you are anything like me, a schedule serves to help stay organized, be focused, proactive and productive. It works for me and my family.

“If you want something done, ask a busy person.” Benjamin Franklin

This year my daughter entered high school. I think about how busy she will be. I mean super busy, between classes, practices, games and let’s not forget the social life of a teenager. So, my motherly advice to her is take advantage of any “scheduled” free time like study hall and the gap between the end of school day and practice. If she adheres to her schedule it will force her be organized with school work, focused on what needs to be done, proactive in consistently staying up on assessment tasks; and, ultimately productive in her life academically, athletically, and socially.

During these trying times, it is a welcome opportunity to reset as school begins and get “back-on” a schedule. Cheers to a full commitment to doing better and being better.

Sonya Ruff Jarvis is an entrepreneur and founder of Jarvis Consultants, LLC, a marketing, events and branding firm that helps businesses create innovative approaches to navigate the world of marketing. Sonya has been a part of the B2B retail industry for more than 25 years and is the founder of the Home Improvement eRetailer Summit. Follow Sonya on Twitter @jarvisconsult and @eretailersummit or contact her directly at sonya@jarvisconsultants.com. She is also a book author and her books can be found on AMAZON.