Jann’s Jottings - June 2025
“The most practical pages for perusal on the web”
Jotting (defn): short details of significant events, behaviours and conversations about wellbeing, growth and education/career.
Wellbeing Jot: Ease and flow
Ever noticed how some people seem effortlessly composed, handling life's challenges with grace? We often admire mentors or role models who make things look easy—polished, prepared, and adaptable. But leading with ease and flow are not accidental.
Living in alignment with our core values fosters a sense of clarity and balance, making space for smoother transitions and thoughtful responses. In practice, this might mean cultivating disciplined morning and evening routines—structured habits that ground us and set the tone for each day. For me this looks like exercise (gym or running) in the morning, meditation, coffee and a healthy breakfast. I love the crispness and soft light of the early mornings which regulates our circadian rhythm, enhances mood and alertness and immunity (Mead, M. 2024,National Library of medicine).
Beyond a physical routine, a mindset shift is key. Releasing self-criticism and negative thought patterns opens the door to possibilities. Embracing collaboration, curiosity, and a positive regard for others creates momentum for personal growth.
Ponder this: How are you morning and evening routines contributing to enabling you to have more ease and flow in your day?
Growth Jot: Choosing our response
Claim It to Control It
Ever heard the phrase, “When you claim it, you control it”? It aligns closely with the first pillar of Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence (1995)—Self-Awareness.
Emotional intelligence consists of four key areas:
Self-Awareness – Recognizing emotions as they arise
Self-Management – Regulating responses effectively
Social Awareness – Understanding others' emotions
Social Management – Navigating relationships with skill
The moment we become aware of a negative emotion—irritation, anger, bitterness, or resentment—we gain an opportunity to name it rather than react impulsively. Claiming it allows us to take control, instead of re-acting and regretting later.
Clear Aim for Emotional Mastery
Think of it this way:
Cl (Clear) + Aim = Clear aim (Claim) + awareness
By naming and acknowledging our emotions, we create the space to exercise self-management and demonstrate emotional intelligence.
Coaching can be invaluable in strengthening these skills, reminding us that emotional intelligence isn’t a destination—it’s a lifelong journey of growth and refinement.
Reflection: How do you practice claiming and controlling your emotions in daily?
Career Jot: Triggers as Teachers
I have been reading Johnathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation (2024) which offers profound insights into the challenges facing children and adolescents today. His exploration of emotional resilience and self-awareness is particularly relevant for leaders and educators.
An extract that struck me as useful is that we do not grow or find happiness when we eliminate all the triggers from life. Triggers may be frustrations, minor accidents, exclusion, deprivations, perceived injustices or other forms of conflict. Haidt argues that we do not find happiness by eliminating all triggers from life, rather by using these triggers as teachers we come to learn to deprive external events of the power to trigger negative reactions in us to the circumstances we face. By treating triggers as teachers, we can cultivate emotional intelligence, self-control, and resilience.
This aligns with the idea that self-awareness—the ability to recognize and name our emotions—empowers us to choose thoughtful responses rather than reactive ones. Instead of allowing external events to dictate our emotional state, we can develop the capacity to navigate challenges with composure and wisdom.
It’s a compelling read with practical applications for leadership and personal development.
The Anxious Generation by Johnathan Haidt (2024).
“You are loved, valued and worthy. Keep up the great work!”
— Jann Carroll
