Mindful Monday: It's Not About You

The calendar still says September, yet it might as well read November, because we are absolutely in the thick of it. 

When a student misbehaves, talks back, does exactly the opposite of what you've asked, it's frustrating to say the least. When it happens again and again, how could you not take it personally? But in reality, it's not about you. I'll say it again, it's not about you. Really, it's not. 

Behavior is a form of communication. And let's face it, sometimes our students aren't always clear as to what they are trying to communicate. So when things feel frustrating, "Pause, Breathe, and Smile". Take a moment, no matter how brief, to pause - stop your body and mind, take a breath - deep and slow, and make eye contact with someone and smile. Let this process ground you. The "PBS" strategy is short and simple, but very powerful. 

When second guessing yourself, I beg you to Pause, Breathe, and Smile. This quick practice will help you reset and hopefully remind you that it's not about you. It will give you a long enough pause to remember that you are making a difference regardless if you can't see your impact in the moment. 

Mindful Monday: Tacos v Nachos

I'm the first to admit that I'm very much someone who likes to feel like I have it all together. I like order. I like to have a plan. I like my lists. And I like to know what to expect. 

For anyone who has been in education for any length of time, we all know that while a plan is good and well, we are often asked to pivot, improvise and adjust on a daily basis. 

Knowing that our day hardly ever goes according to plan can be frustrating at times and absolutely tiresome. However, I challenge you to not think of a lesson plan that goes awry as a failure. 

Instead, I would urge you to consider our dear friend the taco. Oh so delicious, and yet, he too, falls apart from time to time. Yet, aren't broken tacos merely nachos? And at last check, they too are equally delicious. 

So, when feeling disappointed that your planning and efforts didn't turn out, or feeling worn out about pivoting, yet again, think of your Plan B, C, and D as former tacos turned nachos...perhaps a little messy, but still just as good.

Mindful Monday: The Next, Best, Right, Kind Thing

If ever you've felt so tired that even your bones feel tired, you're not alone. 

If ever you've questioned yourself if you're even making a difference, you're not alone. 

If ever you've wondered if you have it in you to come back another day, you're not alone. 

So, how do you do it on tough days? How do you muster the energy you need to do it all again? 

Dr. Jody Carrington says it best, "You do it just like you would eat an elephant, one bite at a time." It's not about taking it all on. It' not about having all the answers. And it's certainly not about being the perfect teacher. It's about doing "the next, best, right, kind thing." It's really that simple. 

You wake up. You show up. And you do the next, best, right, kind thing. You put one foot in front of another and as long as you can say it's best for kids, as long as you can say you are going about it in a kind way, I assure you, it's the right thing to do. 

Don't second guess your amazingness. You absolutely have it in you to do the next, best, right, kind thing. And at the end of the day, we couldn't ask for anything more. 

Mindful Monday: Pace Yourself

If you remotely identify with this sentiment, then you're not alone. However, I can't help but to think that maybe we're doing it all wrong. 

Teaching is a profession where there is always something to be done. The to-do list is never ending, literally...never ending! 

We are three weeks in with 33 weeks to go. We must pace ourselves and make peace knowing that our best is enough. There comes a point where we have to prioritize what to do and what we want for our students. 

They don't need us to be perfect. 

They need us to be happy. 

They need us to be well rested. 

They need us to be excited to be here. 

So, as we start another week, prioritize your lists. Be sure you are at the top of that list. And remind yourself that your best is in fact enough!