Jann’s Jottings #11
Jann’s Jottings # 11
“The most practical pages for perusal on the web”
Jotting (defn): short details of significant events, behaviours and conversations about wellbeing, growth, and career.
Wellbeing Jot: Celebrate yourself
If you are like me, I find acknowledging my own achievements really hard and insincere. I think I should be able to just get things done, get on with it and keep going. In a recent session with my coach, I was challenged to acknowledge and celebrate myself at least 7 times a day – that is a BIG challenge for me! I find this especially difficult when I have a to-do list longer than my arm and pressure from all sides. Yet, neuroscience shows that we can change our mood and see more positive possibilities when we do acknowledge our achievements, no matter small.
This is not about boasting or being prideful, this is about taking the time to acknowledge how capable, creative and caring you are which makes you the wonderful human being this world needs.
Let me offer some examples:
I celebrate that I went to the early gym class to prioritise my wellbeing today.
I celebrate that I had that hard conversation and it turned out better than anticipated.
I celebrate that I tidied the kitchen cupboard and feel more organised.
I celebrate that I chose an apple over chocolate for my health today.
I celebrate that I danced with my children in the kitchen and made joy-filled memories.
You get the picture.
So here is my challenge for you: Start with the sentence “I celebrate that I…” and aim for 7 each day. Let’s do this together!
Ponder this: When celebrating myself, how does my mood change?
Growth Jot: Nurture and Expand
There's a wealth of talent that lies in all of us. All of us, including those who work in schools, must nurture creativity systematically and not kill it unwittingly.
- Ken Robinson
As the weather gets colder, the pace of the year rises to top speed and our emotional tanks seem to empty more quickly, we need to be intentional about finding time to nurture our creativity, expand our imagination and find oases of peace despite the circumstances.
Through nurturing and expanding we can perceive fresh possibilities. Like the plant that grows out of a crack in the concrete, we have an innate drive to be creative, to grow and seek peace.
This looks different for each of us. Perhaps it is about intentionally setting a time each day to sit in the sunshine and enjoy a hot drink or going for a short walk before you get home or setting up a playlist of your favourite songs to sing along to on your commute or writing a poem or picking some wildflowers and arranging them or dancing in the kitchen.
NB Tip: Choose an activity that does not involve interacting with a screen!
Like we are instructed when we fly to “fit your own mask first” so intentional nurturing, dreaming and being enables a sense of expansion and peace and will fill our emotional tanks when we need it most.
Ponder this: What will you do each day to nurture and expand yourself?
Career Jot: Positive Provocations
The role of a creative leader is not to have all the ideas; it's to create a culture where everyone can have ideas and feel that they're valued.
- Ken Robinson
The dictionary definition of the word provoke is to stimulate, summon or give rise to a (typically) strong reaction or emotion. It implies a deliberate act or prod, challenge, or a calling forth.
I have been pondering this notion of the power in positive provocations as a leadership skill in light of Sir Ken Robinson’s quote above. For me what lies beneath the intention of positive provocations is a deep desire to enhance self-directed learning, instil confidence and develop the people in my team. It de-emphasises goals and tasks and emphasises opportunities for growth and valuing of each one.
Ponder this: How are you using positive provocations to develop, grow and nurture your team?
Coaching can help, let’s chat.
“You are loved, valued and worthy. Keep up the great work!”
