Give Thanks - Excerpt from "Love your Life..."

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of
all the others.” Cicero (Roman statesman and philosopher).

According to Emmons & McCullough, gratitude is the forgotten
factor in their research on happiness (2003). In this research,
under the heading Measuring the Grateful Disposition, most people
who reported being grateful (average rating of nearly six on a
seven-point scale), also had a sense of:wellbeing, prosociality, spirituality and were less materialistic.

In my experience, keeping a log book helps clients to focus on positive experiences and I am pleased that this opinion is supported in the research findings: “In an experimental comparison, those who kept gratitude journals on a weekly basis exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the upcoming week compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events.”

Why not keep a gratitude log book? In troubled and uncertain times as we have in the world today it pays to focus on what you have... as opposed to what you have not.

Let me expand a little further on the four categories mentioned above:

Wellbeing: Grateful people report higher levels of positive
emotions, life satisfaction, vitality and optimism and lower levels
of depression and stress. The disposition towards gratitude
appears to enhance pleasant feelings more than it diminishes
unpleasant emotions. Grateful people do not deny or ignore the
negative aspects of life.

Prosociality: People with a strong disposition towards gratitude
have the capacity to be empathic and to take the perspective
of others. They are rated as more generous and more helpful by
people in their social networks.

Spirituality: Those who regularly attend religious services and
engage in religious activities such as prayer or reading religious
material are more likely to be grateful. Grateful people are more
likely to acknowledge a belief in the interconnectedness of all life
and a commitment and responsibility to others.

Materialism: Grateful individuals place less importance on
material goods; they are less likely to judge their own and others
success in terms of possessions accumulated; they are less
envious of wealthy persons; and are more likely to share their
possessions with others relative to less grateful persons.

What are YOU reading at the moment?

Have you heard it said, “leaders and readers…or.. readers are leaders”?
If you accept this as a truism then let me ask the question again, “What are you reading just now”?

I’d be interested to know what is currently popular out there. As someone who works within personal development, I promote reading 10/15 minutes of positive input on a daily basis. Reading just before bedtime is ideal as it means your subconscious is put to work on the positive as opposed to negative.

250 ideas are on http://community.tes.co.uk/forums/t/180176.aspx

And if you wish a copy of my suggested reading list just register on www.eilidhmilnes.com and download the details.

Did you Watch the Awards?

If you missed the programme last night then you can still check out the winners on http://www.teachingawards.com/winners/

Jeremy Vine and Myleene Klass hosted a great show and if you want to watch the video http://www.bbc.co.uk/videonation/feature/teachers/

It was all about commitment, caring, drive and outstanding leadership. Some of the clips were magical and made me feel privileged to have been a teacher. Reminded me of how much I miss the profession today.

Why not enter one of your "star" colleagues for the 2009 awards today? And even send some words of encouragement to the 2008 winners... all their details are on the website links above.

Celebrate Your School! Nominate By 1st March 2009!

There is no better way to say thank you than recognition and reward.
Making a nomination is a fantastic way to give teachers, school governors and schools the recognition they deserve.
The closing date for the 2008 Teaching Awards has passed but nominations can now be submitted for 2009.

The closing date for the 2009 Teaching Awards is 5pm on 01 March 2009.

Gold Plato for top teachers: the UK 2008 ceremony is on BBC2 18:00, Sunday 19 October. Yes that is tonight!

Schools across the country are getting ready for the biggest celebration of excellence in education. Watch the 2008 Teaching Awards UK ceremony and post your comments...
For further information logon to: http://www.teachingawards.com

Is Relocation an Option for You?

Western Australia is actively seeking teachers.

If you are in secondary education there are vacant posts with immediate effect.

Primary vacancies are for 2010.

Take a look at http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/

Or mail me for more information.

Other side of the coin

Abbreviated copy of Eilidh's email to Edensor Technology College in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent,

Dear Mr Mercer,
I have just returned from a speaking tour in Australia to read in the press about the reaction to your planned staff training event in Marbella.
It seems crazy that this had to be cancelled and so short-sighted in respect of the authority, some parents and local government officials.

I have spoken at conferences in UK where the delegate rate is far higher than your planned expenditure.

Well done for trying to raise the staff morale in terms of self-esteem and self-worth. What a wonderful training treat you had prepared. Your staff would have returned refreshed, valued and inspired.
Mr Meredith, Stoke Mayor, certainly has a lot to learn about leadership and motivation. His small minded attitude seems to abound at present. Did he not stop to consider the positive effect your trip would on your staff have in terms of team building, self confidence, self-respect and worthiness.

And I wonder how staff morale now as a result of the cancellation?

Is there a forum or link where I can post my comments? I work with education establishments all over the world and would be happy to share my opinion with your critics.

If there is anything I can do to support you, please let me know. If you wish to comment or add your support follow this link.

Read more on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7647891.stm

Ofsted Rewards

I received this email from a head teacher last weekend.

"...Having a hectic term, had a two-day Ofsted Inspection last week, which went really well, only two weeks to half term! ..."

Have you had a positive experience with Ofsted? Were you rewarded appropriately?

Many schools are graded good and outstanding. Enlightened head teachers then look to reward the staff in a practical fashion.
Several forward thinking leaders look to further encourage the team with some unique personal development.
First class presentation skills are needed in teaching, especially nowadays.
One of our training offerings via IMU is a unique half-day seminar aimed at professionals, who want to improve their personal impact. It delivers solutions to develop self-confidence, self-awareness and presentation skills.
It is entitled Maximise your Visual and Vocal Impact!

We will mail the outline to you if you wish further details.

Seminar Includes:

• Detailed Participant Guide
• Style workbook – Your personal brand
• Signed copy of “Love your Life…”
• Audio CD "Taking Control of your Voice”
• Personalised Colour Swatch
• Cool Fat Cats Action Card!

Why not forward this to a colleague or your senior leader? We can tailor the event to the needs of your school. And you can also attend as an individual or with a group of friends.

One school is combining an Ofsted reward and Christmas gift - it is being part-funded by school. Colour coaching for all teaching and support staff. How cool is that? Better still the staff can have this super treat in their PPA time on school premises.

How do you think this makes the staff feel? Well done leaders!
Please comment…