Tech Tip!

At the beginning of a calendar year, it is known that lots of people like to set resolutions, things they want to do differently in the coming year.

And then, usually within a month, all those resolutions break. Or at least this used to be my story. Now I just don't make resolutions anymore.

Instead, I stick with one, life-long goal: Be a better version of me than I was in the past.

Some days feel like definite backslides. Other days it feels like I'm miles ahead of where I was.  Most days, though, I try to smile more than frown, be kind not critical, and always presume positive intentions.

Comic Credit: Aaron Bacall

For teachers, it is super easy to focus on the single negative event from the day, especially in days that are packed with more than a regular human can handle. My therapist once suggested that before bed, try to think of three positive moments from the day. Don't dwell on the single piece of criticism or the negative interaction from the day. 

I'll admit that it was (and still can be) a very challenging task. In a day full of smiles, the one frown can pierce my gut like a sword, and sit there for days. It's so easy to perseverate, even though I know it doesn't help at all, instead, giving me perpetual stomach issues.

This Week's Tip: try to find three positive moments in your day, and hold on to those for dear life. 

Goal Check

This school year, one of my goals has been to be more active listener.  Which can be really hard, at least for me.  See, my ADHD is both a blessing and a curse, especially in the area of listening.

The curse of my ADHD is that as I'm listening to you speak, my brain is filling with ideas to support you, brainstorms that will enhance what you're describing, and solutions to the problems you're describing.  Which can make it really hard to focus on what you're actually saying.

The blessing of my ADHD is that as I'm listening to you speak, my brain is filling with ideas to support you, brainstorms that will enhance what you're describing, and solutions to the problems you're describing.

See what I mean?

Because this is one of my professional goals, the first one on my goals for the year, actually, I've focused a lot of energy on practicing active listening.

And you know something?

It's finally starting to get less effortful.  My action steps include making eye-contact with the speaker, waiting through pauses instead of automatically assuming they're done speaking, and paying attention to the cues in the conversation - both spoken and unspoken.

Am I always an active listener?  Am I always focused on what the speaker is saying instead of thinking ahead?  Nope.  But I'm getting closer and closer with every conversation!