I know you are scared. I know that future is unknown. I will change as a leader and you will change as a teacher, but we can make this experience be for the good. We will find meaning in all this if we look. We cannot control what is happening, but we can control our thoughts and how we respond. But how do we do that? How do we actually command our minds to think good thoughts when things are so hard right now? There are no good answers, but there are definitely tools and techniques we can try.
Feeling Triggered? Try this:
1. STOP - BREATHE! Feel the feeling!
2. Figure out what thoughts made you react with anger. What are you thinking that is making you angry?
2. Decide if those thoughts are true or even relevant?
3. Breathe and choose to RESPOND instead of REACT.
This is easier said than done. I personally struggle with this all the time. When you are the leader of a group of adults with different personalities, histories, and ways of responding, it comes with the territory. This pandemic has made it even more challenging to respond instead of react because of the emotions and worry we are facing, but nothing that is worth it in life will ever be easy. While we can be emotionally exhausted, we can still mentally strong! We will still have our moments, but we don't need to stay there. We can learn from the situation and move forward.
2. MOMENT BY MOMENT CHOOSE FAITH:
From Jon Gordon:
I know what's going on is scary. I know the images on the television wreak havoc on our minds and souls. I know fear is at an all time high. But I also know that a fear filled life isn't living. This is why, now more than ever, I want to encourage you to choose faith.
Not tomorrow... but right now, in this moment. As we go through this it will be a moment by moment choice.
Navy SEAL's who make it through Hell Week are the ones who break down their time into moments, not days. They focus on the task at hand. They focus on the NOW. They strive to make it till mid-day. Then they strive to make it to nighttime. Then they try to make it to breakfast. Then they do it again. The ones who don't make it look too far ahead into the future. They dream of the end and lose hope in the struggle today.
I want to encourage you to keep faith and hope alive in your most difficult moments. Focus on the task at hand each day. Strive to be productive and creative. Something great will come out of this for you. I truly believe that.
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.”
—William James (1842-1910)
Psychologist, Philosopher, Author
1. Watch Out for the Silent Enemies--Anger and Blame: When life feels so out of control, we want to shift responsibility, anger, and blame onto others. The magnitude of the situation feels so strong on our shoulders, we want to remove some of it. While it may feel good in the moment to direct your energy toward anger, blame, and negativity, it will only hurt you and the culture of our school in the long run. You can choose to react or respond. Situations or people do not make you angry. It is the thoughts that you assign to those situations that that make you angry.
Feeling Triggered? Try this:
1. STOP - BREATHE! Feel the feeling!
2. Figure out what thoughts made you react with anger. What are you thinking that is making you angry?
2. Decide if those thoughts are true or even relevant?
3. Breathe and choose to RESPOND instead of REACT.
This is easier said than done. I personally struggle with this all the time. When you are the leader of a group of adults with different personalities, histories, and ways of responding, it comes with the territory. This pandemic has made it even more challenging to respond instead of react because of the emotions and worry we are facing, but nothing that is worth it in life will ever be easy. While we can be emotionally exhausted, we can still mentally strong! We will still have our moments, but we don't need to stay there. We can learn from the situation and move forward.
2. MOMENT BY MOMENT CHOOSE FAITH:
From Jon Gordon:
I know what's going on is scary. I know the images on the television wreak havoc on our minds and souls. I know fear is at an all time high. But I also know that a fear filled life isn't living. This is why, now more than ever, I want to encourage you to choose faith.
Not tomorrow... but right now, in this moment. As we go through this it will be a moment by moment choice.
Navy SEAL's who make it through Hell Week are the ones who break down their time into moments, not days. They focus on the task at hand. They focus on the NOW. They strive to make it till mid-day. Then they strive to make it to nighttime. Then they try to make it to breakfast. Then they do it again. The ones who don't make it look too far ahead into the future. They dream of the end and lose hope in the struggle today.
I want to encourage you to keep faith and hope alive in your most difficult moments. Focus on the task at hand each day. Strive to be productive and creative. Something great will come out of this for you. I truly believe that.
Don't look backward and think about what could have been. You might keep thinking how this virus stole the great year you were having and going to have. I know I’ve struggled with this. That's a recipe for depression and despair.
The truth is we don't know what would have been. Instead we need to focus each moment creating what will be.
It's okay to be fearful. As this pessimistic optimist can attest, it's very normal. But then you can choose to be faithful!
This is how you will overcome and ultimately thrive!
The truth is we don't know what would have been. Instead we need to focus each moment creating what will be.
It's okay to be fearful. As this pessimistic optimist can attest, it's very normal. But then you can choose to be faithful!
This is how you will overcome and ultimately thrive!
3. JOURNALING: GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD, YOU OVERANALYZER (You know who you are and I am talking to myself too...) Try Journalling for brain dumping--especially first thing in the morning.
4. HERE ARE SOME FUN THINGS YOU CAN DO AT HOME:
40 Meaningful Things To do...
5. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF PHYSICALLY: Get outside, do the fruits and vegetables challenge!
5. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF PHYSICALLY: Get outside, do the fruits and vegetables challenge!
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