Five Tips From Zig Ziglar to Help You Get and Stay Motivated

The Positivity Blog has a nice post distilling motivation giant Zig Ziglar's wisdom into a few tips. Though not written especially for teachers, these pointers will definitely help us educators keep motivated as we head into the long winter of the school year!

Find it here. May it help you help others.

Do this one thing to feel better and gear up for 2013.

Here it comes. Drumroll . . .

Simply review your accomplishments and progress in 2012.

Yup - that's it. But research shows it really helps with job satisfaction.

Unless you're in a time warp or aging backwards like a Dr. Who character, you're one year older. You are therefore wiser than you were a year ago. Even if it isn't conscious, your brain has made associations and learned from your experiences.

And, you made progress. You took your students from where they were in January to where they got to in June. Depending on your grade level and subject, they gained knowledge, developed skills, or both.

You have taken your current students from where they were in August to where they are now.

Try to think of specific gains, whether by a class or by a particular student.

You also made connections with students. Think of some of those connections.

What other progress or accomplishments did you achieve in 2012? Think of them specifically. List them on paper or computer, to feel even better and have a concrete record to view over the next few days as you prepare for the New Year.

Reviewing progress is one of the best ways to fight the daily grind. And it's an excellent thing to do with your students, who feel the grind as much or more than we do.

"When you feel like giving up . . .

remember why you started."

I am swamped. The daily grind has gotten to me. I forget to do the things that keep me centered and grounded. The fun and novelty of September have worn out. I need to remember that the ground of what I am to be about is love: care and concern for the growth of others. It is more than just working a job, but a very important mission.

Why did you start? It is still a valid reason now. All it takes is remembering.

Is it possible to have a good life without "following your passion"? This guy found out.

Here is an interesting New York Times article by a man who did not have one overarching career passion as a young man. (Same as me.) He notes that the "follow your passion" mantra really didn't apply to him, and actually can scare people about "MAKING THE WRONG CHOICE."

However, he speaks to the qualities that can make any career enjoyable and successful.  I hope it is true with you.

The thrill might be gone. But you can meet the challenge of the normal.

No matter where you are, the school year is well underway. The thrill of the first week has subsided; it feels almost like summer never happened. Now normalcy: the daily task of instructing, encouraging, measuring, consoling, admonishing . . .  in short, teaching. This is a hugely important task you are involved in. Choose your viewpoint: you are fighting against ignorance and sloth, or you are promoting goodness and growth. Either way, your students need you. Fortunately you are equipped to meet this challenge. You are skilled and caring. There are people who love and support you. Go boldly and bless people in the week to come!

Andy Heller "gets" what you do and actually appreciates you. In print.

Here's an encouraging essay by columnist Andy Heller, who "gets" what you do and why you're valuable.

Do this, teachers, to feel better (and spread some encouragement)!

Usually when I am doing final grades in our computerized accounting system, I'm crunched for time and don't add comments.

Not so today.

So I'm adding a positive comment for each kid. So far, only one has been difficult. (Finally realized I could comment on her quiet demeanor, which can be quite a plus some days.)

Boy does it feel nice.

You might be a much more reliable commenter than I have been, and you're thinking I'm just getting to where I should have been long before. Guilty as charged.

If you're like me and usually bypassed the comments, however, I recommend it. It's really fun thinking back on each kid and dropping a little encourager, one of our most important roles.