Teachers in Transition: Career Change and Real Talk for Burned-Out Teachers

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Lots of people are stressed these days. It's more important than ever to remember to practice self-care. This week, I talk about how coloring mandalas can be a great stress reliever. Research shows this to be true. Don't believe me? Check out this link as one example of proof that coloring can be relaxing:  https://www.beaumont.org/health-wellness/blogs/health-benefits-of-coloring-for-adults#:~:text=REDUCE%20STRESS%20AND%20ANXIETY,a%20long%20day%20at%20work.

In this episode, I also offer that there are other ways to relieve your stress by giving yourself a "break" from all that is going on in the world right now. It's not a bad idea to just take a break from the noise of the news and social media. If coloring doesn't sound like something you would enjoy doing, you can also do puzzles like crosswords, Sodoku, word searches, etc. And talking about puzzles made me remember when my dad used to bring the 1000-piece crossword puzzle home for the whole family to work on. It was relaxing and it was fund in addition to being a great family activity, especially while we are still either social isolating or semi-social isolating and spending more time than "usual" with our family units.

For anyone that is intrigued by the idea of coloring for relaxation, I also have a free gift. Just click on this link and you will receive 5 free mandalas. (Coloring pencils not provided.)

Free Mandala Sign-up:  https://kittyboitnott.lpages.co/opt-in-for-5-mandalas-for-stress-relief/ 

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Sometimes when caught up in the process of changing careers, people feel stuck. They aren't sure how or where to start. And they struggle with what they think they might be qualified to do based on their past experience and education.

When I start working with a new client, I urge them to set aside practical considerations in the beginning. Focus instead on what you want, not what you think you can get or what you might have to settle for.

Now, thinking about what you want can feel like a daunting task. So, it might be easier if you make it fun. Why not play with creating a vision board. Don't know what a vision board is? Listen to this episode. And then take a look at this article:  https://www.jackcanfield.com/blog/how-to-create-an-empowering-vision-book/

Got questions, thoughts or comments? Reach out to Kitty at [email protected], but don't forget to also offer a review and a comment on this episode to help other people find Kitty and "Teachers in Transition."

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We are experiencing very difficult times right now. The pandemic has offered more than enough stress for us in recent months, but now we need to add economic uncertainty and social unrest to the mix.

The peaceful protests are justified if the looting and violence are not. But revolution is just about the only thing that manages to change the status quo, and we are witnessing a kind of revolution right now. The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis was, perhaps, the final straw.

That said, not everyone is in a position to take to the streets, nor should they. There are other ways to show support and solidarity with a righteous cause.

But all of these events are converging into a type of perfect storm that is causing individuals in our country and across the world an unbearable amount of stress.

The article I refer to in this podcast outlines five ways mindfulness can support educators during a crisis. They include the following:

1. Tuning into your body through your breathing.
2. Focusing on good feelings and thinking about all that you have to be grateful for even in these uncertain and volatile times.
3. Making physical contact with a member of your family who lives with you or cuddling with a pet.
4. Imagine someone who gives you comfort like a parent, a teacher, a mentor, or a friend.
5. Connect with nature. Take a walk or a hike. Feel the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair.

Be gentle with yourself and others. These are tenuous times that we are experiencing. Be present to how you feel. And be safe.

The article to which I referred for strategies for managing stress came from "Navigating Uncertain Times:  How Schools Can Cope with Coronavirus"  by Maria Gehl, 4/24/2020. https://www.edsurge.com/news/2020-04-24-five-ways-mindfulness-can-support-educators-during-a-crisis

The transcript link can be found here:  https://www.temi.com/editor/t/ENYWtglyeZTdN947c7jqgTJ_9Gxd9n4NNwKKAV8o0sG_mu810xoTaXDVla0Dq8DuSn-TqoXAwDPziUphIVMxv9vQ4k0?loadFrom=SharedLink

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No one has a crystal ball that will allow them to accurately predict what the post-pandemic world is going to be like. But you don't need a crystal ball to predict that there are going to be significant changes--more in some areas than in others. Out of the millions of people who lost their jobs, how many will have jobs to go back to when things start to open up and get back to some semblance of "normal?" How many will have jobs but don't want to go back to them because this shutdown has forced them to think about what they want to do in a very different way? Going back to a job they don't love to do has no appeal to them.

Either way, whether you have a job to go back to or have a job you don't want to go back to, you have NOW to start planning, and I urge you to consider the possibilities for yourself.

If you don't think you have options, you are wrong. You always have a choice about how you manage your time and your life. If you don't like something about your current life, you need to think about what you need to do to change things.

I wrote a post about this just this week. To read it, take a look here: "The Difference Between Making a Living and Making a Life" at http://bit.ly/makingalifeoraliving.

To check out the sales page that describes my "Jumpstart Your Job Search 2.0 Program" options at https://teachersintransition.com/jumpstart-your-job-search-premium-program-for-job-seekers-and-career-changers.

To email me questions in case you would like to join the next Group Coaching Cohort which will start June 1, 2020, email me at [email protected].

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During this time of high stress and uncertainty, everyone is experiencing a difficult time. We are all stressed out and in need of some extra TLC. This episode is about the need for us to tend to our self-care and that pertains to during the pandemic and after it is behind us. We need to tend to self-care in four categories:  physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. You can afford to ignore any of those areas in your life.

Take care of yourself by eating well, exercising, managing your emotions, and staying connected with your higher power.

For more, listen to this episode. And to download the article that is referenced in the episode, click here:  https://kittyboitnott.coachesconsole.com/show_client_newsletter/?id=5ec018cefbb581550c2535cd&modify=1&coach_preview=1



Transcript:  https://www.temi.com/editor/t/x3mw6Q0IuUiXVtTRGymx00VFubqD8tQPjV_WnUTYCCscA0eKIlc1MqZOcb2rG38qrVz2UNmFMNxuw1ex2SffH7c5Eu4?loadFrom=SharedLink 

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No one has been spared the consequences of COVID-19 whether you had succumbed to the virus or not. Because of the massive shutdown we all experienced as a country, as some states start to open things up and others cautiously consider their options, it occurs to me that the economy will never be quite the same. We are going to need to approach the post-pandemic world with caution and look for opportunities that may seem like challenges at first.

The truth is that this is a massive upheaval that rivals periods of upheaval from the past. And upheaval requires adapting to new circumstances and new realities and it is not easy nor it is enjoyable.

But that doesn't mean that there won't be plenty of opportunities. If you just graduated college or you just lost your job because of the pandemic, instead of being angry about it look for the silver linings.

We need people who can be innovative, creative problem-solvers.

We are also going to need artists including comedians, musicians, and architects.

We need more scientists and lab researchers to help prepare the vaccine for this virus and prepare for the next one.

We are going to need more mental health professionals, too. Lots of people are going to need lots of help emotionally as they grieve the loss of normalcy and perhaps the loss of a loved one during this period.

And we need more doctors and nurses.

Look for the opportunities. That may well be the #1 challenge of every job seeker and that is what I talk about in this episode.

For the transcript, click here:  https://bit.ly/2LlPH7w

Also, next week, on May 21, 2020, I will be offering a free, live webinar workshop entitled, "Start Designing Your Dream Career in a Post-Pandemic World." Don't wait until this pandemic is behind you to start planning for your next job or career. Use your time now. Plan for the career--and the life--you want moving forward. Join me by registering here:  https://event.webinarjam.com/register/11/w0364tk 

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We are all dealing with the challenges of COVID-19 even if the biggest challenge is cabin fever and wanting to go places that aren't open yet.

In this episode, Kitty offers that sometimes using positive affirmations can help. If you start to feel yourself spiraling into negative thoughts, try to be aware enough of your thoughts to stop them in their tracks and replace them with something more positive.

And to help, she is offering a free ebook on positive affirmations for success and happiness. To download your copy, click here (no email needed):  https://kittyboitnott.coachesconsole.com/uploads/supplements/the-power-of-positive-affirmations-for-success-and-happiness-pdf_d6f20e2c926e0.pdf

If you enjoy the ebook or have questions about positive affirmations, email Kitty at [email protected].

For a transcript of today's episode, click here:  https://www.temi.com/editor/t/rdLoPQTy_0i_7d-N8YJdqkQVjQoQsO5lKlY9QdB74kPdgfDXChAJMF2GgfVjavvtxYRrIgOD67zIUjovm5Ok5FkENqU?loadFrom=SharedLink

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As the weeks drag on, even though the curve may be flattening, the economic hardship that people have been feeling will continue into the coming weeks and months. Let's be honest. Some jobs are going to disappear for good. And depending on what happens with Congress and its sense of responsibility--or lack thereof--for states and localities, even more jobs may be on the chopping block. The states and localities, after all, are bearing the brunt of the shutdowns and all the social isolation. Restaurants that are closed can't pay business taxes to the state or the locality. The same goes for salons and spas and other personal service industries.

If localities have to constrict, they will be forced to lay off teachers and firefighters and police officers and other local government workers.

I remember only too well what happened in 2008-2009 when we went through a similar economic constriction.

So, what will you do if your job disappears? Are you ready? Do you know what you want to do and are you prepared to make the case for why you would be a strong candidate if you needed to apply for a new job tomorrow?

In this episode, Career Transition and Job Search Coach, Kitty Boitnott, offers suggestions on how to prepare just in case you don't want to go back to your old job or your old job isn't available when this is over.

#careertransition #jobsearchtips #jobsearchadvice #pandemic #COVID-19 #coronavirus

Would you like to talk with Kitty about your specific situation to learn how she might help you get started on a job search or get a search that fell off the rails because of COVID get back on track? Then book a session with her by clicking here:  https://kittyboitnott.lpages.co/book-a-session-here/

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