If you’re someone who always looks out for other people, it’s time to start prioritising your own wellbeing. Kelly Hannaghan shares her top 10 wellbeing goals.
Wellbeing leaders need to be emotionally and physically healthy. The role is a non-stop process of inspiring, planning and Implementing, and requires bundles of energy. The job demands being on top of our game.
However, just a quick look at the Teacher Wellbeing Index shows us the stress and strain educators are under. We are experiencing an epidemic of work-related stress and anxiety. As wellbeing leaders, we often feel it's up to us to make the problem go away. So how can we keep healthy while doing the job we love?
It’s a non-negotiable to set goals to prioritise my own wellbeing first, in order to serve others a diet of wellbeing
If you’re anything like me, you’ll have mixed feelings about new year’s resolutions. It seems like a natural time to make important changes – it’s like the universal pressing of the ‘reset’ button. For me this year it’s a non-negotiable to set goals to prioritise my own wellbeing first, in order to serve others a diet of wellbeing.
As human beings we’re wired to function from a space of fear, often looking for threats that may arise. This conflicts with our ever-increasing need to always be positive and solution focused.
In fact, we often put huge pressures on ourselves to be the wellbeing superhero who changes the world. This behaviour often arises from imposter syndrome and limiting beliefs.
Know you are enough; practice gratitude for yourself and your environment; bank the good things.
Self-care is vital for your job to be sustainable. Sara Milne Rowe talks about the SHED method (sleep, hydration, exercise and diet). In this system, learning to pause, slow things down, take care of your SHED, enables you to focus on the moments that matter, and being better (whatever better means to you).
The SHED method can help you feel better under pressure and may help you make better choices.
Ask yourself these questions.
Remember that it's ok to not be ok and to need help. We're not superhuman. It can be empowering to seek help and learn from others. Benefit from delegating tasks to reduce your workload.
Positive relationships add value to our life. Reaching out and building networks can support wellbeing.
I'm going to try listening to one podcast a week. Podcasting is a thriving mini-industry. It's a great way to learn something new, and it's no wonder many professional relationships grow from this space.
I particularly like TED Talks Daily and For Flourishing's Sake podcasts. Connecting with like-minded people raises energy levels.
Listen to Kelly's contribution to the first episode of the Optimus Education wellbeing podcast, on teacher mental health.
A culture of wellbeing is no longer a nice to have – it’s a must have. To attract and retain talent, our workplaces need to reflect an environment where people can thrive, not just survive.
Make time for important conversations; in a busy school environment this can easily be missed. ‘Tea and Chat’ is something I love to do, as it’s a great way to get staff together to talk about their hobbies and interests.
Feel you could have a better work/life balance? Follow these tips to restore harmony into your work and personal life.
If it doesn’t fit into your schedule or align with your priorities, don’t overwhelm yourself by taking on more
The path to success is never behind you. When you face roadblocks and setbacks, keep your vision alive and keep moving forwards. Without setbacks, there would be no feeling of victory and accomplishment. Be confident with your beliefs and stay true to yourself.
Learn to say ‘no’ effectively and disagree respectfully. Don’t acquiesce to every request that comes your way.
If it doesn’t fit into your schedule or align with your priorities, don’t overwhelm yourself by taking on more. Achieving balance is a never-ending journey, and your needs will be different at different times in your life.
Set aside some time once every other month or so to reflect on your current workload, what you would like it to be, and what the plan is for arriving there. Work smarter not harder.
For example, when setting up a top priority task, switch off the phone and ignore your email first. Then you need to abandon any ideas of multi-tasking as that will slow you down and ruin your focus.
Finally, set a reasonable deadline and do everything in your power to meet it. Productivity tools can be helpful. For example, the MindNode App helps me focus on tasks at hand with mind mapping.
You’re a human being, not a human doing! Track how you feel and change what doesn’t work for you.
How much time do you spend doing things that don’t matter to you? Ask yourself, ‘if I could focus on one thing in my life, what would it be?’ We are more than our jobs; connect with the things we love and celebrate the good stuff.
Live well, teach well and have a wonderful year.
What's your wellbeing resolution for this year? Share with me @mindworkmatters