Tag Motivation

Makes Me Scream – Monday Motivation

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Makes Me Scream – Monday Motivation

Makes Me Scream

“If I have to hear her ____________, ______________, and ________________ one more time, I’m going to scream.”

A super successful weekend is followed by an exhausted Monday morning. Friday was game night with the kids. Saturday we helped host an amazing benefit for a terrific cause. Sunday we attended church and I had the opportunity to speak to some super smart kids at the local National Honor Society Induction. It was awesome!

What to write about on a rainy, exhausted, Monday morning? My lesson plans for today provided just the prompt to get me going.

On a chapter about writing with appropriate parallelism, Question #8 made me laugh but then made me nervous. What if my students wrote their responses to this sentence about my teaching? What if my husband had to fill out this sentence? Man, that question just made me want to scream.

“If I have to hear her ____________, ______________, and ________________ one more time, I’m going to scream.”

What is it that makes you scream?

My scream would sound something like this:

“If I have to hear her back out of her commitments, show her disregard for others, and refuse to let go of the past one more time, I’m going to scream.”

png 1 I know what you are thinking…”Where is the motivation here, Melanie?”

Well, the motivation comes from this… What if we turned this scream of angst into one of joy?

“If I hear her ____________, ______________, and ________________ one more time, I’m going to scream from excitement!”

If we can shift our tone and keep our goals in line with our intent, positive motivation will call out to us. Heck, that positive motivation might just lead to cheers of joy and accomplishment in our lives.

If I had to identify my motivators for positive proclamations, they would have to include:

“If I hear her admit she is talented and beautiful, share something great she had done, and demonstrate compassion one more time, I’m going to scream from excitement!”

Seriously, I would do a cartwheel!

What makes you scream with enthusiasm?

As you make your way through this Monday, don’t let the angry frustrations set you off or mess with your motivation. Redirect your responses to resound with appreciation, pride, or congratulations. Be the one screaming excitement for those around you. Your cheering will do just that…bring cheer.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. I really do want to scream sometimes, but I prefer to wear my positive pants.

P.P.S. Question #9 “The instructor has already explained ______________, __________, and ___________” is one that makes all teachers scream. 🙂

Save the Date

The Muscle Called Courage – Wise Words Wednesday

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The Muscle Called Courage – Wise Words Wednesday

The Muscle Called Courage

Courage is the toughest measure of character to exercise. Bravery comes in many shapes and forms. Any chance we have to demonstrate courage is a  chance to strengthen our resolve for doing what is right.

When I was a freshman in high school, I wanted to get along with everyone. I would work in a group with anybody. One day I was chosen to be in a group of guys who had absolutely zero interest in doing the Spanish lesson. To entertain themselves, they stole the eraser from a pencil on the desk behind us and started batting it back and forth. I didn’t say anything at first. I just kept trying to get them to vamanos back to the crossword puzzle. Eventually the eraser hit me in the face and I threw it across the room. That was a bad choice.

I hit Senora in the head!

My group could not contain their giggles. My heart was in my throat. Continue reading “The Muscle Called Courage – Wise Words Wednesday” →

Hang In There!

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Hang In There!

Hang in There 17

Last week my son, who is in kindergarten, was not wanting to go to school. He sulked the whole way. As we pulled into the school parking lot, I said, “Cheer up, buddy, you only have like 9 more weeks until summer.”

The transformation of his attitude was too great to express in words. The smile that crept onto his face was radiant, and he said with tremendous hope, “And then I will be a 1st grader?”

Who knew the potential of being a 1st grader was the motivation he needed to hang tough that day? I thought the promise of sleeping in, baseball, and summer vacation would get him going. (Silly mama!) The things that motivate are as unique as each individual in any situation.

Spring is a season of excitement and new beginnings but the hints of those new beginning can really challenge us. We feel the effects of spring fever and it makes it hard to stay focused and hang in there.

At a recent get-together with some of my friends (most of whom are teachers), all shared their end-of-school countdowns. Each one knew exactly how many days were left. (Teachers are just as excited as students for summer.) That number, the exact number of days left in school, was something that brought smiles to each of their faces.

I am never motivated by the number of days remaining. I am motivated by the lessons I have

Bring on the rain (1).JPG

A storm rolling in

left to teach. I know exactly what I want to teach before the end of the year and I keep those goals in the forefront of my focus. Again, the things that motivate us are as unique as we are.

As we hang tough with spring, we have to keep in mind the different motivations and stressors of those around us. The blooming ambitions of students, co-workers, family, and friends sprout anxieties and issues that storm through relationships. It can be tough to hang with the winds of change and stress, but it can be done.

Hang in there! Keep your focus on productive goals and grace in your words. Patience and understanding will prevail with a sunny disposition. Add positive intent and determined energy and fair days will flourish.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. Follow the rainbow.jpg