Files, folders, the cloud …

If you're like me, you couldn't survive as an ELT professional without them!

But when you open your storage system, what do you see?

• Three to five main folders?
• Or hundreds of individual files?

How long would it take to find that shared presentation from the latest conference?

• Five clicks in five seconds?
• Or five minutes because you forgot where you saved it (and the file name)?

As great as digital storage is for all that you do, it can also be overwhelming and frustrating.

Instead of stressing out and wasting time, listen to today's episode for three practices you can implement right away that will get your ELT digital space working for you and not against you.

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Have you ever been taking care of all the things that need to get done at the beginning or end of a term and realized that you haven't left the building all week except to go home?

Have you ever had so many PD events lined up that you've forgotten one or two (or three)?

Have you ever gotten into a routine that doesn't include time for YOU?

When we're in work mode, it can be really easy to tell ourselves that we should only focus on the work every day at every moment and forgo setting aside any time for ourselves.

Yet we know that if we don't take care of ourselves, we can become overwhelmed, forgetful, lose focus, and sometimes even feel guilty or resentful.

Your "you" time is worth attending to.

In today's episode, I take a look at two areas to consider when thinking about your "you" time and how implementing organizational systems can help this part of your ELT life get the attention it deserves.

P.S. I'm currently conducting some market research and would love your thoughts on how things are going for you in your ELT life! If you teach academic English, would you mind taking a few minutes to respond to this survey? Your answers will help me determine my next steps for how I serve you. If you don't teach academic English but know someone who does, then please share the link or this episode with them. I will be very grateful.

For today's full show notes, go to https://www.eltresourceroom.com/podcast/27-making-the-most-of-your-you-time-how-organization-can-help

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Going through all of your email messages not your favorite thing to do?

Overwhelmed with thinking about all the things that need to get done … tomorrow?

Wish you had gathered progress updates on your students for today's meeting a bit earlier?

It can be easy to let administrative tasks like these slide when there are so many other more important things that need to get done – like lesson planning, conferencing with your students, or working toward that next professional development goal.

Yet they're a part of our ELT lives that we can't avoid … even if we'd like to!

In today's episode, I talk about four administrative tasks (and, yes, email is one of them!) that, if set up in an organized way, can provide support and focus for all of that other more important work.

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Do you ever wish that the lesson materials sitting on your desk would find their own way back to the shelf? Or have you ever been ready to file away those important student documents from weeks ago but can't find them now?

Our brains like it when our work spaces have order to them.

We can put all of our attention on the important task at hand, and time is spent more productively with fewer distractions and less stress.

In today's episode, I discuss three areas of your physical work space to get organized, what organization looks like in each of these spaces, and what you can do to maintain the organization that you create.

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When you think of English language teaching, this is probably the part that comes to mind first – instruction. It's what we do, right?

Yet instruction involves so much more than the time we spend with our learners in a single lesson.

To even get to that point, we have to plan. But what happens when your plans aren't organized? I know what happens to me – I forget things, lose focus, and feel overwhelmed. These do not make an instructor feel assured!

So, what can you do to keep your focus, save time, and be confident in what you're doing? The answer is to organize.

In today's episode, I talk about why organizing your instruction is important and which questions to ask yourself so that you can assess your current level of organization. I also provide some practical examples on how to increase your preparedness and assuredness for the next time you meet with your learners.

Support your instructional organization by having the right materials to use. Download your free copy of 12 Meaningful ESL/EFL Resources for Adult Instruction here >>> https://12resources.eltresourceroom.com

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On a scale of 1-10, how organized would you say you are? And how organized would you like to be?

Not being organized leads to clutter, stress, constant busyness, and feeling overwhelmed.

But being organized brings relief, greater focus and productivity, and a reclaiming of time.

In today's episode, I'm sharing four areas in your ELT professional life where organization is key. Whether you love organizing or you'd rather be doing something else, I encourage you to evaluate these four areas and discover ways to set yourself up for more enjoyable, less stressful days ahead.

Be sure to get your free 12 Meaningful ESL/EFL Resources for Adult Instruction here >>> https://12resources.eltresourceroom.com

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Have you ever been unmotivated to go to class even though your learners are terrific? Or have you ever wondered why you aren't enthusiastic about going in to work despite your supportive colleagues? Have you felt guilty for feeling that way?

I've been there, and it's not a fun place!

In today's episode, I share four things you can do to get through the challenges in your ELT life:

1. Give yourself time and permission to feel what you're feeling.
2. Write down or talk with someone else about what you are feeling.
3. Thrive by recalling your wins.
4. Persevere.

Be sure to get your free 12 Meaningful ESL/EFL Resources for Adult Instruction here! >>> https://12resources.eltresourceroom.com

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Does just thinking about presenting or working on certain professional development activities by yourself make you feel a little nervous or overwhelmed? What if instead of going it alone you made strides toward growth with someone?

In today's episode you're going to get a lot of good insight about PD collaboration from Ashley Micklos, the Curriculum Director and an instructor at the Wisconsin ESL Institute in Madison, Wisconsin.

In our conversation, Ashley talks about her own professional development journey in ELT and how collaboration has been a part of that process. She also shares about the different ways she's collaborated and provides encouraging words for you to do the same.

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Did you know that our brains are actually hard-wired to take the easy way out? I don't know about you, but that makes me feel a little bit better about some of my professional decisions!

Although I'm not suggesting you go all in, taking a small step forward on the less easy path can encourage necessary growth.

In today's episode, I give examples of what "presenting" can look like. (Hint: Conference presentations are just one of many.) Then I share two reasons why presenting, and not only attending, PD can be a next step in your journey toward ELT growth.

The key is to start small and move along at your own pace, making choices that are right for you in your ELT life.

Don't forget to download the free 12 Meaningful ESL/EFL Resources for Adult Instruction here >>> https://12resources.eltresourceroom.com

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What do you do after a professional development event? Do you make an immediate plan to put what you've learned into action? Or do you set aside the notes and thoughts telling yourself you'll get to them later?

I've done both, and I'm sure we'd agree on which one is more difficult!

If you're a person who values professional growth, then you have to be intentional about following up on the PD opportunities in which you take part.

In today's episode I take you through three steps – three solutions – that will focus you on getting the most out of those opportunities and ensure that your growth doesn't stop at the close of an event.

Don't forget to download the free 12 Meaningful ESL/EFL Resources for Adult Instruction at this link >>> https://12resources.eltresourceroom.com

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