Have you ever gotten to the end of a term, breathed a sigh of relief, and then looked at your physical space, the relief quickly dissipating?

You chose to prioritize – planning and meeting with students were more important than making sure extra handouts were put away.

This is certainly a logical choice, and one I've made myself multiple times over the years. But sometimes what you see after exams and grading are done can be visually and mentally overwhelming.

Instead of ignoring the chaos or waiting until the next term starts (dreading it all the while), why not reorganize now?

In this episode, learn about the four steps you can take to do this at the end of your term.

Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource "Reduce Your ELT Stress" to start seeing a change today >> https://reducestress.eltresourceroom.com

For full show notes of this episode, visit https://www.eltresourceroom.com/podcast/48-reorganizing-your-physical-space-end-of-term

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What are you juggling in your ELT life right now?

It's advantageous to be organized at any point in time, of course, but when things in your ELT life get busy, it's even more so.

When you're overwhelmed with so many things that it feels like you don't know what to do or where to go next, it's definitely not what I'd call relaxing.

In this episode, I discuss three ways you can manage your busy ELT life despite the uninvited challenges.

Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource "Reduce Your ELT Stress" to start seeing a change today >> https://reducestress.eltresourceroom.com

For full show notes of this episode, visit https://www.eltresourceroom.com/podcast/47-3-ways-manage-busy-elt-life

If you sat down right now and made a list of every tech tool you use, how many do you think you'd come up with?

10, 15, 25, more than that?

As an English language teacher, you've probably tried all kinds of tech tools that promise to improve your students' learning and make your life easier. There are certainly many tools that actually do deliver on their promises, but sometimes, all of the options can simply become overwhelming.

Instead of stressing out over trying to use the latest thing – or everything – join me in figuring out how to avoid the tech overwhelm in your ELT life.

Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource "Reduce Your ELT Stress" to start seeing a change today >> https://reducestress.eltresourceroom.com

For full show notes of this episode, visit https://www.eltresourceroom.com/podcast/46-how-to-avoid-tech-tool-overwhelm

Connect with Heather:

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How organized is your EAP/ESL teaching?

Maybe your answer depends on the type of task or even the day of the week.

Getting organized certainly takes time, effort, and intention as well as an openness to learning new things. It also takes knowing about what can be organized and why.

Without a purpose, why organize?

When it comes to teaching (and I include the preparation and follow-up here too), my purpose is to ensure that I have everything I need so that I'm ready to teach, my classes go as smoothly as possible, and I have a solid foundation to keep up the momentum.

There are four essential elements that have helped me maintain my purpose. Hear how they can help you too in this episode.

Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource "Reduce Your ELT Stress" and start seeing a change today >> https://reducestress.eltresourceroom.com

For full show notes of this episode, visit https://www.eltresourceroom.com/podcast/45-4-essential-elements-organized-teaching

Connect with Heather:

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To-do lists really aren't all that effective.

Have you heard that before?

Most people, including me, use to-do lists, but there is some truth in that statement.

The point of a to-do list is to help you get things done. Yet do you have a list (or have had one in the past) and it feels like you never really make any headway? Perhaps it gets lost in the shuffle over time or you simply ignore it.

If a to-do list doesn't actually do what it's supposed to do, then should you even use one?

Check out this episode to learn about the pros and cons of a to-do list and then decide what's best for you.

Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource "Reduce Your ELT Stress" to start seeing a change today >> https://reducestress.eltresourceroom.com

For full show notes of this episode, visit https://www.eltresourceroom.com/podcast/44-pros-cons-to-do-list

Connect with Heather:

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How much "stuff" do you have?

You know, things like file folders, binder clips, textbooks, and even course materials on your computer.

And how much do you have to do?

Think of meetings, reviewing student work, lesson planning, and filling out forms required by your institution.

It can be difficult to keep up with everything every day. If you're feeling overwhelmed with all of your "stuff", you're not alone, and you don't need to feel ashamed or embarrassed for struggling to keep up.

I know what it's like when you think you'll never be able to get everything done – I spent the biggest part of my teaching career feeling like I was on a hamster wheel.

Stress in your ELT life will never completely go away (and a certain amount is actually good for you), but there are things you can do to reduce it.

Learn more in this episode about what to do when you're overwhelmed with all of your "stuff".

Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource "Reduce Your ELT Stress" to start seeing a change today >> https://reducestress.eltresourceroom.com

For full show notes of this episode, visit https://www.eltresourceroom.com/podcast/43-what-to-do-when-youre-overwhelmed-with-stuff

Connect with Heather:

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Have you ever felt like you just couldn't give anymore of your time to your teaching job?

Maybe you were overwhelmed with the workload. Or stressed out because of unexpected changes.

There will likely always be fluctuations in your working hours due to factors outside of your control like student enrollment, staff turnover, and contractual expectations. Even your own beliefs about how much time you ought to be putting into your work come into play.

No matter the reason though, even including the reasons that are out of your control, there are ways you can cut down on your working hours.

The organizational systems that you set up, carry out, and maintain? These are the key to helping you reduce stress and ease the overwhelm that come with working as an EAP/ESL teacher.

Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource "Reduce Your ELT Stress" to start seeing a change today >> https://reducestress.eltresourceroom.com

For full show notes of this episode, visit https://www.eltresourceroom.com/podcast/42-4-tips-for-cutting-down-on-your-working-hours

Connect with Heather:

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"What can I do about all of the digital files that keep piling up?"

A participant asked this question at the end of a training session I provided for ELT freelancers a couple of months ago. It's a really good one, isn't it?

Over time it's only natural to accumulate quite a collection, which can become an overwhelming part of your ELT life.

So what can you actually do about all of those digital files that keep piling up?

Tune in to today's episode to discover the two aspects you'll want to focus on.

Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource "Reduce Your ELT Stress" to start seeing a change today. >> https://reducestress.eltresourceroom.com

For full show notes of this episode, visit https://www.eltresourceroom.com/podcast/41-how-to-clean-up-your-digital-files

Connect with Heather:

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Want to turn those ELT goals into reality?

Whether big or small, the aspirations you have for improving the lives of your students and yourself are worthy. But sometimes, it can be a challenge to actually see them through. You think:

• Do I really have time to do this?
• Let's do this thing! (2 months later…) Wait, what was it that I wanted to do?
• There's no way this would work.

Instead of jumping right in or completely dismissing the ideas you have, listen to today's episode for the three steps you can take that will make it possible for you to achieve more of those goals.

Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource "Reduce Your ELT Stress" to start seeing a change today >> https://reducestress.eltresourceroom.com

For full show notes of this episode, visit https://www.eltresourceroom.com/podcast/40-turning-your-elt-goals-into-reality

Connect with Heather:

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You want to make improvements to a course you're teaching.

You think, "Ugh, that lesson could have been better." Or perhaps it's more like, "I can't wait until I can start this course all over again."

Instead of feeling overwhelmed or guilty, allow yourself to celebrate the fact that you're noticing and reflecting, both of which are necessary parts to thriving in ELT.

When it comes to making changes to a course, it doesn't have to be a stressful and overwhelming experience. In fact, when you do it systematically, it can be quite invigorating.

Listen to find out what that systematic process looks like and get started on improving that course that's on your mind.

Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource "Reduce Your ELT Stress" to get started today >> https://reducestress.eltresourceroom.com

For full show notes of this episode, visit https://www.eltresourceroom.com/podcast/39-how-to-make-systematic-improvements-to-courses-you-teach

Connect with Heather:

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