[Freelance Diary] I wrote about the changes since I started writing daily reports to a fictional boss.

As a freelancer, I started working without belonging to any organization, belonging only to myself. As a result, I have no boss and no colleagues.

When I first started teaching Japanese online, I had no horizontal connections with other Japanese teachers, I wasn't writing on note, and I wasn't posting about my work on social media. Also, since I wasn't participating in any communities,
I used online English conversation teachers as my 'substitute colleagues.' Haha.

At the time, it was right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and teachers with various backgrounds—those teaching at university faculties, language school teachers, and even those who started teaching English in their spare time—were gathering online. Thanks to that, I felt as if I had colleagues all over the world.

They even taught me how to use tools, recommended teaching materials, and even the existence of Google Slides.

Two years later, around 2022, I finally started meeting more Japanese teachers, and starting this month, I even began running a community myself. Thanks to that, I have established some horizontal connections, but

there is still no boss.

I don't have to report to anyone.
Because of that, I became unable to objectively grasp my own progress, and even if I came up with an idea, it would end up left hanging in limbo, and I found myself saying, 'Come to think of it, I wanted to do that...' more and more often.

That was when I came across a conversation video by Notion Ambassadors in Japan.

[7 years of Notion experience] The contents of first-generation ambassador Mr. Hirano's Notion were amazing...! was the title of the video, and I was surprised by the idea introduced in it: 'Use ChatGPT as a fictional boss or counselor to get reports and feedback.'

It really was, just like the title said, amazing... it was.

It's a video from a year ago! While I thought I wish I had known sooner, the timing is when you know and take action, so I think it's all good.

I couldn't stop the excitement, thinking, 'I never even thought of such a method!' and immediately created my own Notion template.

From that night on, the days of reporting to my fictional boss and counselor and receiving feedback began.

Today marks exactly three weeks. Actually, from January to around April of this year, I also tried a method of writing daily reports in Google Calendar and emailing them to myself.

But, it gradually became 'half-hearted,' making it difficult to continue, and I didn't feel any potential for development.

If you want to know more about this method, please watch the video! It is possible to keep records with various tools, not just Notion, but after trial and error, I eventually returned to Notion.

Today, I would like to write about the changes and realizations I felt through this habit of keeping daily reports.
This time, it's the version with daily reports and feedback from a 'fictional boss'.

Changes and realizations felt from keeping daily reports

The trigger for starting daily reports

I originally started daily reports because I wanted to grasp my progress more firmly and make my tasks visible in a concrete way. I honestly didn't think this small habit would have such an impact on me. But before I knew it, my daily reflections turned into something I looked forward to, and I started to notice my own changes little by little.

Things that changed after I started keeping daily reports

It has only been about three weeks, but there are several things that have changed in these three weeks.
First,

my ability to take action has improved.
For example, planning and executing even small tasks, such as "making a verb conjugation list video" for the community, has become smoother.
I have become someone who can take action immediately after receiving feedback.

I can now see my priorities.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by having too much to do or having days where I think, "Oh, I haven't done that yet," I have developed the habit of thinking about what should be prioritized.
In particular, the peace of mind that comes with "I only need to do this today!" has increased.
By declaring when I will do things during my reports, I have been able to translate them into action.

My self-esteem has increased.
Every time I write what I accomplished in my daily report, I am able to praise myself, saying, "I worked hard today too." It has become easier to maintain my motivation.

It has become easier to take care of my mental health.
By writing down things I am anxious or worried about, I can organize my emotions. It has also become a trigger for incorporating short meditation or time to focus on breathing.

My teaching methods are evolving.

By reflecting on student reactions in my daily reports, it has become easier than before to come up with ideas to improve the quality of my lessons, such as "maybe doing this next time will be even better."

Noticing and working on my weaknesses and improvements

When I keep a daily report and get feedback, I see many things that make me think, "This might be my challenge..." But that is an opportunity for improvement.

Today, I thoroughly faced my weaknesses and areas for improvement. And I also decided what my next actions would be.
The fact that I started doing this is also the power of the daily report...!

If I share a little, these are the things I am working on at the moment:

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by having too many tasks.
↓
By dividing tasks into "High," "Medium," and "Low," what I need to do has become clear. I made it a rule to "achieve only one most important task" every day.

I am bad at taking breaks...
↓
To reduce staying up late, I am gradually practicing the habit of not looking at my smartphone before going to bed. For example, placing my phone in a spot where I cannot reach it from my bed when I sleep.

Sometimes feedback is abstract.
↓
I record results with specific student episodes and numbers. I am conscious of writing down "at what moment they said 'I see!'"

Long-term plans tend to be vague.
↓
I am improving by breaking goals into small tasks and planning on a weekly basis. For example, making things concrete like "one Podcast episode = theme selection + script writing + recording + editing." (By the way, I don't have the courage for a Podcast yet, so I am gradually working on it as something to give to students as homework...!)

I found my strengths

While continuing my daily reports, I have also noticed many things like, "Oh, this is what I am good at!" Once my strengths became clear, confidence in my work naturally welled up.
Here are my strengths that I found by keeping a daily report.

Flexible responsiveness
I am good at finding ways not to stop lessons, such as trying alternative plans on my iPad or italki Classroom immediately when technical trouble occurs. And I saved the alternative plans as a list (this is also because I started being conscious of the Next step when writing daily reports).

Student-centered teaching
I can provide lessons, materials, and homework tailored to the needs and learning styles of each student.

Ability to take action and persistence
I am good at steadily continuing output, such as creating verb list videos and posting on note. I am good at stacking small steps.
When I think "Let's try this!", I can take action immediately. (Of course, there are still many things I cannot do, but since I will be prioritizing from now on, I think there is room for growth!)

Introspection, self-management, and positive thinking
The time to reflect on myself in the daily report has also become "time to praise myself," maintaining my motivation. I can spend even difficult days positively. I discovered that I am surprisingly positive after all.

I learned the fun of daily reports -> What will I do from now on?

The habit of keeping a daily report is now part of my daily life. The biggest harvest is being able to have a "sense of progress," even if it is just a little bit every day.
From now on, I want to continue taking on new challenges based on the content of my daily reports, while overcoming my weaknesses and developing my strengths.
My next goal is to make a "daily report template"! I want to create a simple and easy-to-continue format so that other people can also think, "Daily reports are nice."
First, I will write down ideas such as how the format I am using now is, and if I should change it.

Finally...

You might think "daily reports seem like a hassle," but once you try it, it is surprisingly fun 🥺

Even a simple memo is okay at first. Just by reflecting on your day, your next day might become more fulfilling.

I am still going through trial and error with this and that, but if it clicks with you, please try it out ^^