In this episode of Counselor Chat, I’m sharing one of my favorite fall-inspired lessons — what I like to call The Candy Corn Principle.

You know how people either love or hate candy corn? Well, the same goes for our work as school counselors. No matter how much heart, effort, or intention we pour into our programs, not everyone is going to love what we do — and that’s okay.

In this episode, I’m talking about why trying to please everyone can leave you burned out and how to stay focused on what truly matters: making a difference for your students.

Here’s what I’ll walk you through:

• 🎯 The real reason people-pleasing feels so natural (and so exhausting)
• 🧭 How to protect your time and purpose with healthy boundaries
• 💬 Calm, professional ways to say “no” without guilt
• 💡 Why consistency earns respect faster than trying to please everyone
• ❤️ How to shift from seeking approval to staying aligned with your mission

My favorite reminder from this episode:

“You’re not here to make everyone happy. You’re here to make a difference. And those two things are not the same.”

So grab your coffee (and maybe a handful of candy corn), and join me for a sweet little reminder that your value isn’t defined by how many people approve — it’s measured by the difference you make every single day.

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

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Connect with Carol:

• TpT Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
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• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

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