Mindfulness for NQTs: Let go
by Alison Laycock
Letting go of so many things can be so healing and improve performance and productivity in so many aspects of our lives. Let’s be clear from the start though that letting go does not mean not caring anymore. In fact, letting go is the complete opposite of not caring as it allows us to make more space for what is important to us in all areas of our lives.
In encouraging you to let go, I’m promoting the idea of letting go of the pressure you may have placed/be placing on yourself to be perfect in every way whether that is in your role as a new teacher or in any other area of your life. There is no need for perfection or anyone’s idea of perfection as in your NQT year and also other years the follow, you will only really be able to do the best you can do in those moments.
If you have a difficult lesson, learning from it but then let it go and carry on so don’t carry it into the next lesson or your evening etc. Do your self-reflection and evaluation as soon as you can after the lesson, make a promise to yourself that you can only change what you can change and learn if necessary and then move on. Let go of any comparisons you have in terms of other NQTs or teachers in the school or from your training year. Let go of any unnecessary expectations placed on you by yourself or by others around you. Let go of any negative thoughts or interactions you have with students without carrying them on to the next lesson or next day etc.
You can also model this to your students. Tell them and then show them in every part of your responses that each day is a new day and that as much as you do that with them, then they can do that with each other and you. There is no need to hold on to anything which isn’t necessary.
Every day throughout August, these tips will be shared across social media so I’m including my links here. Throughout August, I’m offering meditation/ mindfulness sessions for NQTS/teachers and school staff on 4th, 11th, 18th and 20th August at 7-7.45pm via ZOOM. If interested, please email Alison at info@beingthebestyoucanbe.org
Follow me across social media if you aren’t already to have access to the tips every day:
Facebook: Being the Best You Can Be
Twitter: @alisonlaycock23
LinkedIn: Alison Laycock
You Tube channel: Being the Best You Can Be
I’m also offering 25% off all courses for NQTs who wish to develop their mindfulness and compassion skills and resources more. The courses on offer are the 8 week MBSR programme with sessions lasting 120 mins and there are also 6 week Mindfulness and Compassion courses which last 60 mins each session. If you prefer workshops rather than courses then these are also available and can be checked out and booked via http://www.beingthebestyoucanbe.org
