October 2019 – Happy Schools

Putting Heart and Fun Back into Work

October 31, 2019

The more we can connect at a heart level with others and inspire them with our character and our behaviours, the stronger a team we forge. CONNECTION – IT’S CRITICAL Emotional intelligence is all about being connected. Connection is a key to all life, let alone work. Research shows us that people who are disconnected from themselves (head and heart disconnected – not knowing yourself) and disconnected from others (heart to heart disconnect – perceived as distant, insincere or unauthentic) will die earlier of ALL causes. Being connected not only helps you live longer and healthier but it improves your work satisfaction. Families value a special connection with your team; if your school has a strong community connection and profile,…

Get A Life: Improving YOUR Work / Life Balance

October 24, 2019

Stevef

Engagement

The first step in improving your work / life balance is to work out exactly what it is that you want. What aspect of your life do you want to be different? What would you like to improve? Whilst your initial reaction may be to ‘work less’, reducing your paid hours, for example working part time, might not be possible. This may be for financial or logistical factors. Try to be as specific as you can about the outcome you would like to achieve. If you could free some time, how would you utilise it? What is it about your lifestyle that you would like to change eg spend more time with my kids, sleep better at night, worry less…

A Teacher’s Most Valuable Asset – Their Voice

October 17, 2019

Stevef

Communication

A teacher’s most valuable teaching asset is their voice. It is through the voice that the teacher communicates, educates and instructs. Without the use of the voice, the teacher has lost the painting brush to create their art work. Research is revealing that many teachers are struggling with their most basic tool to comfortably get through their teaching day. There are many demands placed on a teacher’s voice; constant talking, pushing the voice, talking with background noise, disciplining students, raising the voice to be heard, yelling over long distances eg in the playground, feelings of stress, frustration, low energy and tiredness will tense the vocal apparatus and when constantly talking, restricts vocal ease. Some of the symptoms teachers experience include; …

What Motivates Us?

October 10, 2019

Stevef

Engagement

According to best-selling author and motivation guru Daniel Pink, there are three key drivers of motivation- PURPOSE, AUTONOMY and MASTERY. Each driver contributes to our motivation. PURPOSE – Keeping the BIG picture in mind is important in keeping us motivated, especially in challenging times. Our work in schools can be very busy and stressful. One of the factors that contributes to our stress level is dealing with people. You never quite know what is going on in other people’s lives. Our work in schools is important and has purpose. As schools are at the hub of the community, all staff who work in schools have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. As well as looking…

Resilience Research

October 3, 2019

Stevef

Resilience

Why do many people turn out as well as they do despite adverse life circumstances? Instead of being crushed by adversity in their personal life, somehow use it as motivation to grow. Why do people at work, instead of becoming negative and resistant to change, simply accept what is out of their control and make the best out of a tough situation? The answer is, I believe, people’s resilience – our ability to bounce back when faced with adversity. Part of the current thinking on resilience is that it is innate – most people are naturally programmed to survive and recover even after major setbacks. It also appears that our resilience is determined by the interaction between Risk Factors that…