Teach Middle East Magazine May-June 2017 Issue 5 Volume 4 | Page 52

Personal Development Positive affirmations that are great for teachers By PreSha Barnes B y now, you would have already planned what you want to do, during the summer break. While a lot of fun, relaxation and down time are at the top of most lists, some teachers have included time to plan for the upcoming school year. Planning for the upcoming year, requires some amount of reflection. What worked well and what could have been done better are among questions that will come to mind. When planning, give some attention to how you can enjoy your classroom experience more. Almost every teacher has had a day that was so challenging that the thought of resigning was overwhelming. A good exercise that can help you to get through those tough days is the inclusion of positive affirmations. You can actually start this practice, while on break, so that it gets easily integrated into your routine when you get back to work. Positive affirmations are essentially, little truths that you repeatedly tell yourself about your abilities. They can also be phrases that you repeat that reflect how you wish to be. They can lead to eliminating limiting or negative beliefs you may have about yourself or about not being able to do something. Positive affirmations encourage positive thinking and belief s that promote self-confidence, positivity and much more. A good way to ensure positive thinking is to place your affirmations where you can see them in the morning, or where you relax for positive reflection. Another method is to save affirmations as events in your phone’s calendar. They will randomly give you that boost of encouragement throughout the year. Positive affirmations can also be used to encourage others. Sharing a quick note via social media can motivate others, as well as, leaving notes, and sharing positivity when engaging in conversation. 1. Each day, I bring enthusiasm, knowledge and dedication to my classroom. 50 | May - Jun 2017 | | 2. I find joy and pleasure in the simplest things in life. 3. I have an active sense of humor and love to share laughter with others. 4. I expect to be successful in all my endeavors. Success is my natural state. 5. I easily find solutions to challenges and roadblocks and move past them quickly. 6. Mistakes and setbacks are stepping-stones to my success, because I learn from them. 7. Every day, in every way, I am becoming more successful. 8. Life is about cherishing the simplest of things. 9. I always see the good in people, and do my best to help them see the good in themselves. Class Time 10. Nothing is impossible. Life is great. 11. I am a person of high integrity and sincere purpose. 12. I am a competent and capable teacher. 13. I am becoming a better teacher every day. 14. The work I do matters. 15. I motivate, empower and inspire my students. Give yourself rewards of positive words to promote more confidence in yourself and the work that you do. Inspire others. There is nothing simplistic about being an educator. At times, we must give ourselves a pep talk, to give us the encouragement that we need to survive, in our personal and professional lives. A little positivity can go an extremely long way. Let’s do our best to be our own cheerleaders and that of our colleagues and friends.