Hello everyone,
How is your stress crusade?
I've been off from work for 3 weeks now and for the first time when I started teaching I don't miss work and I don't feel guilty about not working. In fact these 4 weeks passed like one weekend ;-) It doesn't seem such a long break, but work seems to be a distant memory.
I've been sleeping a lot, catching up with friends and my family. I watched a few films my husband hates while he was at work.
For the first time I have been doing nothing and I love it! I don't feel guilty, lazy or inadequate. I feel relaxed and more like me again. More like the old me, before I started to focus on my career ;-)
My house is not spot on. I didn't see or call all the people I would like to. I didn't write things I wanted to write. I didn't start any fitness regime. And you know what, it's ok.
When I got to week two of my sick leave I stopped making all those ridiculous resolutions: wake up early, go for a jog, go to the swimming pool, call this person, go there [; I just stopped. I let things go slowly and I try to enjoy the current moment.
The most relaxing day for me was yesterday. Our dog had a small surgery and I spent the whole day comforting him, making sure he doesn't lick his stitches and I was watching some heart warming stuff. A perfect day.
The dog is doing very well and soon we will be bouncing around again ;-)
I am not scared of coming back to work any more. I understood that I simply can't afford taking it all seriously. I consider buying myself a few colourful wigs for work. Can you imagine putting one on when you start to feel stressed? Just to laugh it off ;-)
Thursday, 20 November 2014
Sunday, 16 November 2014
Stress free for free?
Just a few words on free activities which I enjoy ;-)
Easy, free or almost free sport activities:
- running (cost: comfortable shoes)
- walking (again, shoes)
- cycling (cost: you may get a second hand bike for £10-£20)
- free exercise videos on YouTube, no need to pay for DVDs!
Social activities:
- meet friends and family
-walk a dog ( nothing relaxes me more than watching my dog enjoying WALKING and BEING outside, you can walk a friend's or neighbour's dog)
- get involved in your community
My other favourite activities:
-do DIY, artwork, craftwork
- tidy up my house, it feels so much better when the place is clean and organised
-watch a funny film
-hug a tree
-cook a nice meal or make a cake
-surround yourself with a nice smell- scented candles are lovely!
Most importantly make a list of all good things you are experiencing. Sometimes I forget about loads of little blessings I have. Last week I spoke to a counsellor on the phone. There is a Charity supporting teachers and lecturers called Recourse and you can call them for free for advice. It was really beneficial and I realised that I have a family around me, a few good friends, I'm healthy and have loads of other reasons to be grateful every day!
Take care everyone.
Easy, free or almost free sport activities:
- running (cost: comfortable shoes)
- walking (again, shoes)
- cycling (cost: you may get a second hand bike for £10-£20)
- free exercise videos on YouTube, no need to pay for DVDs!
Social activities:
- meet friends and family
-walk a dog ( nothing relaxes me more than watching my dog enjoying WALKING and BEING outside, you can walk a friend's or neighbour's dog)
- get involved in your community
My other favourite activities:
-do DIY, artwork, craftwork
- tidy up my house, it feels so much better when the place is clean and organised
-watch a funny film
-hug a tree
-cook a nice meal or make a cake
-surround yourself with a nice smell- scented candles are lovely!
Most importantly make a list of all good things you are experiencing. Sometimes I forget about loads of little blessings I have. Last week I spoke to a counsellor on the phone. There is a Charity supporting teachers and lecturers called Recourse and you can call them for free for advice. It was really beneficial and I realised that I have a family around me, a few good friends, I'm healthy and have loads of other reasons to be grateful every day!
Take care everyone.
Monday, 10 November 2014
I don't have time for anything!
Today I was browsing through a textbook for hair and beauty students and I found an interesting unit. One of the first units for future hair and beauty therapists stress the importance of a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and exercise to maintain high levels of energy needed to perform your job.
I compared it with the first point of my description as a lecturer:
' The post holder will ensure the needs of our students come first and that every learner will be provided with opportunities to achieve their full potential within a safe, stimulating and supportive environment'
In my full time teaching role I teach 5 classes of 15 students which gives 75 individuals I am responsible for. It does keep me pretty busy and it is like being a PA to 75 people. And throughout all the years of training and CPD no one told me: eat well, sleep well do sport, de stress or you will collapse.
In my contract there are further 25 job accountabilities, but there is no word about taking your lunch break or sleeping at least 6 hours a night.
To sum up, how many times do you say: I don't have time for this or that ? Is it really time we are lacking? Maybe it is a drive and energy to do a bit more than collapsing on your bed after a hellish day at work?
It is the second week of me being absent from work due to work related stress. All classes have been covered without much fuss so the world is evolving without me.
One of the students wrote me a get well message and said he is praying for me. That's probably the only positive thing which happened to me during my brief visit to work today.
I compared it with the first point of my description as a lecturer:
' The post holder will ensure the needs of our students come first and that every learner will be provided with opportunities to achieve their full potential within a safe, stimulating and supportive environment'
In my full time teaching role I teach 5 classes of 15 students which gives 75 individuals I am responsible for. It does keep me pretty busy and it is like being a PA to 75 people. And throughout all the years of training and CPD no one told me: eat well, sleep well do sport, de stress or you will collapse.
In my contract there are further 25 job accountabilities, but there is no word about taking your lunch break or sleeping at least 6 hours a night.
To sum up, how many times do you say: I don't have time for this or that ? Is it really time we are lacking? Maybe it is a drive and energy to do a bit more than collapsing on your bed after a hellish day at work?
It is the second week of me being absent from work due to work related stress. All classes have been covered without much fuss so the world is evolving without me.
One of the students wrote me a get well message and said he is praying for me. That's probably the only positive thing which happened to me during my brief visit to work today.
Wednesday, 5 November 2014
Female entrepreneurs are taking over the web!
It all started with a girl called Star. I met her on my PGCE course 4 years ago. Star is a real star indeed! She was coming to the lectures dressed in super feminine sexy clothes, holding a big plastic cup with green smoothie with a huge smile on her face. I felt intrigued with her bold and rebellious attitude. When I first met her she was in her mid 30s, and she was looking at least 10 years younger. She was a walking advert of her geeky, fruitarian diet and hand made organic cosmetics. Star did many things to avoid boring 9-5 jobs. She was a model, a dancer, an author and a beauty coach. PGCE and a vision of being a 'regular' teacher was not her cup of tea and she dropped out of the course half way through.
Star was determined to be self employed. She moved on to creating e-courses and selling her extensive knowledge of beauty products and nutrition to the students all over the world. She devoted four years to writing e-books and course materials which ultimately grew in an online beauty school which she sold this year for a 6 figure sum!
There she is. 4 years on, she is a successful and free businesswoman.
Star's success was a cherry on the cake. There are years of studies and efforts behind it. I admire her courage and determination. She didn't choose the 'easy' route, she had balls to follow her dream.
I was stalking her on the internet in all those years.She was constantly evolving. Her image, her websites and her products were tirelessly improved.
Outset Plymouth supported her at the beginning of her journey to self employment and here is a short testimony she wrote to thank them. You can find the latest face of Star and her business on her revamped website. She is one of many brave women I am inspired by. Next time I will introduce you to the cheeky, money queen. Let's watch them and maybe we will warm up our burned hearts and minds in their glory!
Star was determined to be self employed. She moved on to creating e-courses and selling her extensive knowledge of beauty products and nutrition to the students all over the world. She devoted four years to writing e-books and course materials which ultimately grew in an online beauty school which she sold this year for a 6 figure sum!
There she is. 4 years on, she is a successful and free businesswoman.
Star's success was a cherry on the cake. There are years of studies and efforts behind it. I admire her courage and determination. She didn't choose the 'easy' route, she had balls to follow her dream.
I was stalking her on the internet in all those years.She was constantly evolving. Her image, her websites and her products were tirelessly improved.
Outset Plymouth supported her at the beginning of her journey to self employment and here is a short testimony she wrote to thank them. You can find the latest face of Star and her business on her revamped website. She is one of many brave women I am inspired by. Next time I will introduce you to the cheeky, money queen. Let's watch them and maybe we will warm up our burned hearts and minds in their glory!
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
3. Seeking support.
Today was the day I decided to talk to my GP and see what happens [; To say it was embarrassing and counter-productive is not enough... He said that every job is stressful and that I should either change my job or work part time. How bloody helpful.
The whole appointment lasted maybe 2 minutes and he got rid of me by handing me a leaflet about a local 'Talking therapy'. When I left I realised I got a ticket for bad parking...
I really wanted to avoid admitting that I have THESE problems, didn't want to have it in my records and I was thinking of changing a job. Having done some job hunting I can't really see any job I would like to do. The problem is that I really love teaching, but working in a big institution is unbearable.
On Monday morning (after a week off from work, when I thought I' m ok, no more stress nonsense) I woke up and when I thought of going to work I had an instant stomach cramp, headache and loads of tears coming to my eyes. That was it, that was the moment. I thought 'what if '..? What if I don't turn up? Will the world evolve without me?
It took me about 10 seconds to make a decision. I thought of a phrase: ' If you pass away your employer will replace you within a few days. Your friends and family will mourn for months'. I decided to prioritize myself before other people (I avoid the term ' my students' because it implies I am a super dooper, indispensable queen of teaching on a mission to save 'my students' from arrogance) and I phoned sick. Reason: work related stress. I finally admitted it.
I used to believe I am a super important person doing a super important job and I can't fail. Guess what, I don't need it any more.
As I can't find a job I would like to do I really want to try freelance work. I know of a few remarkable women who did.
Maybe I will write about them in the next post and I will give you an update about the 'Talking therapy'.
The whole appointment lasted maybe 2 minutes and he got rid of me by handing me a leaflet about a local 'Talking therapy'. When I left I realised I got a ticket for bad parking...
I really wanted to avoid admitting that I have THESE problems, didn't want to have it in my records and I was thinking of changing a job. Having done some job hunting I can't really see any job I would like to do. The problem is that I really love teaching, but working in a big institution is unbearable.
On Monday morning (after a week off from work, when I thought I' m ok, no more stress nonsense) I woke up and when I thought of going to work I had an instant stomach cramp, headache and loads of tears coming to my eyes. That was it, that was the moment. I thought 'what if '..? What if I don't turn up? Will the world evolve without me?
It took me about 10 seconds to make a decision. I thought of a phrase: ' If you pass away your employer will replace you within a few days. Your friends and family will mourn for months'. I decided to prioritize myself before other people (I avoid the term ' my students' because it implies I am a super dooper, indispensable queen of teaching on a mission to save 'my students' from arrogance) and I phoned sick. Reason: work related stress. I finally admitted it.
I used to believe I am a super important person doing a super important job and I can't fail. Guess what, I don't need it any more.
As I can't find a job I would like to do I really want to try freelance work. I know of a few remarkable women who did.
Maybe I will write about them in the next post and I will give you an update about the 'Talking therapy'.
Monday, 3 November 2014
2. Name and pin down causes of stress.
It's been a foggy, but warm day in Cornwall. We ventured out to take the dog for a short walk, but didn't go too far as we were worried that we may lose our beloved friend in the fog!
It's been only a few days since I have been off from work and I feel sooo much better ;-) After spending a few days with my family, my work related 'tragedies' seem very remote.
Back to the business: causes of stress. I have done some background reading around the topic last year as I was feeling the invisible enemy was creeping upon me like a shadow and as I am thinking of the causes I already know some solutions [;
1. Emails
2. Constant phone calls.
3. Students enquiries.
All three causes are my customer service responsibilities and the main issue here is that they are all time consuming. It is a time management issue or as supporters of voluntary simplicity say: 'managing yourself in time'.
Emails:
It's scary how many emails I get every day- even from the people who work in the same room! People don't rely on conversations any more Majority of people I work with believe that if you want to communicate you should send an email- ideally with a tiny red flag and cc your manager to add a bit of weight to the message... Having done just a little bit of reading about emails it seems that one of the cardinal mistakes made by 9-5 workers is compulsive email checking! It is a huge time waster and a huge distraction stopping us from doing the things that are more important.
Here are some tips from Elisabeth Wilson, the author of 'Slow down. Enjoy your life and live longer' on managing your work emails:
Student enquiries:
Another time management challenge. Students love to treat me as their PA and pass all their queries to me. I am so worried that I will forget about their enquiries that I always deal with them ad hoc, immediately after seeing the student. Those meetings usually happen during break and lunch time I supposed to use to eat and relax. That's it! I am going to prioritize myself for a change and TAKE my BREAKS! If a student has an enquiry he or she may either email me or book a tutorial. I am going to put a schedule of tutorial slots on my door. If it is something important they will come back, if they don't why should I worry about it?
What are your thoughts? What are your major time wasters and what can we do about it?
It's been only a few days since I have been off from work and I feel sooo much better ;-) After spending a few days with my family, my work related 'tragedies' seem very remote.
Back to the business: causes of stress. I have done some background reading around the topic last year as I was feeling the invisible enemy was creeping upon me like a shadow and as I am thinking of the causes I already know some solutions [;
1. Emails
2. Constant phone calls.
3. Students enquiries.
All three causes are my customer service responsibilities and the main issue here is that they are all time consuming. It is a time management issue or as supporters of voluntary simplicity say: 'managing yourself in time'.
Emails:
It's scary how many emails I get every day- even from the people who work in the same room! People don't rely on conversations any more Majority of people I work with believe that if you want to communicate you should send an email- ideally with a tiny red flag and cc your manager to add a bit of weight to the message... Having done just a little bit of reading about emails it seems that one of the cardinal mistakes made by 9-5 workers is compulsive email checking! It is a huge time waster and a huge distraction stopping us from doing the things that are more important.
Here are some tips from Elisabeth Wilson, the author of 'Slow down. Enjoy your life and live longer' on managing your work emails:
- check emails three times a day: in the morning- but not during the first hour! after lunch and just before you leave (how many times a day do you check yours?)
- plan your time for checking emails and stick to your slots!
- remember that work emails are 'to do' lists of other people, so do YOUR important tasks first, before you deal with other people's priorities.
Phone calls:
I share the office with four colleagues and we have only 2 phones. One of them is situated very close to my desk... definitely too close. I am often distracted by a random caller who is after one of my colleagues, not me. I need to check if we can have our private phone numbers so that we don't have to work as secretaries for each other.
It is impossible to control incoming calls, however it is possible to manage them. One of my favourite tips is using a phrase: 'I am in the middle of something now'. Then the caller knows you are busy and might either call you at another point or simply keep the conversation short. As with the emails, it is better to reserve yourself a slot for making phone calls and doing them in a block rather then at different points during the day. Again making phone calls distract us from our main tasks.
Student enquiries:
Another time management challenge. Students love to treat me as their PA and pass all their queries to me. I am so worried that I will forget about their enquiries that I always deal with them ad hoc, immediately after seeing the student. Those meetings usually happen during break and lunch time I supposed to use to eat and relax. That's it! I am going to prioritize myself for a change and TAKE my BREAKS! If a student has an enquiry he or she may either email me or book a tutorial. I am going to put a schedule of tutorial slots on my door. If it is something important they will come back, if they don't why should I worry about it?
What are your thoughts? What are your major time wasters and what can we do about it?
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