Resilience – Page 6 – Happy Schools

Who’s Managing Your Mojo?

March 17, 2022

Cambridge Dictionary defines ‘mojo’ as a quality that attracts people to you and makes you successful and full of energy. When you have your mojo you have self-confidence, self-esteem and self-efficacy. Having your mojo is therefore very important. Once it is lost it can take some work to rediscover. Whilst we all know what we SHOULD be doing to look after ourselves, having someone keep us accountable for the decisions we make, can help. We’ve recently nominated Sam, a colleague, the role of Mojo Manager for our team. The role involves regularly asking our merry little band questions to discover just how merry we are. Questions like: How are your stress levels, out of ten? How much exercise have you…

Can Optimism Be Learned?

February 17, 2022

Stevef

Resilience

We are certainly experiencing challenging times in schools. Being optimistic that we will successfully get through this is more helpful and productive than doom and gloom. However, some people are more positive than others. In the accompanying quote Nelson Mandela says he didn’t know if his own optimism was due to nurture or nature. In the book ‘Deliberate Optimism – Reclaiming the Joy in Education’, the authors argue that optimism can be learned, developed and maintained. They aren’t talking about blind, Pollyanna ignorance that everything is wonderful but a positive outlook that things will get better and ultimately will be okay. They quote the key to success in developing optimism is Chinese philosopher Lao Tsu’s saying, “Thoughts lead to actions,…

The Ripple Effect

January 13, 2022

Stevef

Resilience

Working in schools you make a significant difference with your everyday actions. All of the little things you do in every moment of your work can ripple out to create endless changes in the lives of your students. If you don’t believe this, then just ask the parents of your students. They are very aware of the inspiring ripples that you can create in their children’s lives. A ripple is the inside-out release of energy generated by your thoughts and actions that eventually affects the lives of other people in some way. This energy connects with the ripples from the thoughts and actions of others to create all of the daily events on this planet. It is important…

Christmas is For Giving

December 9, 2021

Stevef

Resilience

As we come to the end of the school year, many people who work in schools start to panic about the gifts they need to buy. Organised people have worked their way through their list and purchased (or even made) thoughtful gifts for loved ones. The rest of us start to think about the gifts we should give once the list of end of year tasks is finally under control (or on break up day – whichever comes sooner!) Christmas can be a stressful time. Often families come together and at times tensions can rise. As I was thinking about Christmas (one of my favourite times of the year), I remembered what I had been told as a kid, that…

Remaining Positive When Others Are Stressed

November 18, 2021

Stevef

Resilience

Have you ever noticed that some people are able to maintain their positivity, even in stressful situations, whereas others do the opposite? Why is this? Positive co-workers have the right attitude. They realise that although others can act in ways that help to make us stressed or happy, ultimately our happiness is determined by the choices we make. They don’t expect perfection from themselves, their colleagues or their workplace. It is OK to have a bad day or two. But a bad week or month is not so good. Positive people also appreciate that their happiness is not determined by the absence of challenging circumstances at work. Putting off your happiness until circumstances are better is not the answer. If…

A Word for Stressful Times

November 4, 2021

Stevef

Resilience

When I started teaching high school in 1979, my Principal Glynn Watkins asked all the teachers to consider our philosophy, for teaching and for life. Even though we never used the word mentor in the 1970ʼs and 80ʼs, in 2008 when I attended Glynnʼs funeral, I realised that he was my number one mentor. On reflection I learnt the importance of having someone you can talk with about your philosophy. What is your philosophy? What is your personal set of views and theories – as an educator and as a person? How does this philosophy shine in all elements of what you do? In times of stress and real challenge, remember to return to your philosophy, the reason…

Being Resilient in Challenging Times

October 28, 2021

Stevef

Resilience

According to the World Health Organisation Icelandic people are amongst the longest living on the planet. On average they make it to over 83 years of age. Despite Iceland being a terrible place to live (food is scarce, winters last for nine months, for a number of days there are only four hours of sunlight and it rains 213 days per year), Icelandic people live more than 13 years longer than the world average. All of that hard living has made them stronger and resilient. They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Best-selling author Eric Barker notes the moments in life that made you better, that make you swell with pride when you think about them, from career…

Formula For Success – Keep It Simple

September 30, 2021

Stevef

Resilience

Teachers (and other staff who work in schools) are often our own harshest critic. We are often self-critical and can be REALLY tough on ourselves. We can feel like there is always more that can and should be done and it can seem like our work is never ending. The following simple strategies are the formula for success. Which ones do you do well and which ones do you need to add to your repertoire? Live beneath your means. Return everything you borrow. Stop blaming other people. Try not to judge others. Go an entire day without criticizing anyone. Be the first to forgive. Presume that other people mean well and are trying their best. Admit it when you make…

Coping With Change

August 19, 2021

Stevef

Resilience

Change can be hard. Often change is for the good. Occasionally change brings about worse outcomes. The one predictable aspect of change is its inevitability. Coping with change is one of the biggest challenges in schools – the sheer volume, let alone the rate of change, can be overwhelming. Avoiding change fatigue can be critical to preventing change-related stress and burnout. Tips: Make small changes or break big changes into small increments. It’s like running up a huge hill – don’t look at the top, just keep your eyes a metre or so in front of you. Remember to turn around and look back at your progress every so often… that will help buoy you on and spur you up…

Overcoming the Challenges of Working From Home

August 5, 2021

Stevef

Resilience

Staff in many schools are currently working remotely. Whilst many people will initially be happy to be ‘working from home’ (teaching in your pyjamas sounds great), it does come with its challenges and demands. Everyone who works remotely has to figure out when to work, where to work and how to create boundaries between their work and personal lives. For example, traveling to school has usually been part of our routine. Whilst you gain the travel time, you lose the opportunity to make a clear transition from home to work. Here are some tips for working well from home. Create a New Morning Routine Your morning routine helps you focus and engage in a productive time. Whilst it can be…