Slowing Down

This popped up on my FB timeline. Am assuming if it's posted there, I can share it here...
Just felt it to be so appropriate for so many of us busy, rushing-everywhere people today. 

Make a Mistake - Discover New Opportunities

My walking commitment has been a bit wobbly for most of this week. I managed an impromptu stroll around a small park in Munich yesterday. And even managed a mad dash to the train station in the evening (apparently this forced sprint was good for me!!)

Apart from that, I have to admit to having failed miserably on Tuesday and Wednesday. No walking at all. Then today, I made the unforgivable mistake of mixing up the times of my lesson. Instead of 1pm, I should have been in the classroom at 8am...

What do I learn from this? Be more careful when adding appointments into my calender. But perhaps more importantly, don't overload the calender in the first place.

I had been worried that this week would be a struggle with back-to-back appointments, classes and meetings from Monday till Saturday. Now, however, I have some free time. A window of extra time to take stock and build up my energy for the last push of the week. I know how much better I'll feel for some fresh air because I got out for 40 mins on Monday. In contrast to the reluctant struggle up the hill on the last walk I did, Monday's walk was much more positive - maybe something to do with staying on the flat path - maybe due to the fact I just felt happier. Either way, it did me (as my mother would say) the world of good.

So, despite having missed a class by mistake I'm happy to be able to take advantage of some extra time and get myself out for a spot of fresh air and exercise. For me, an unexpected opportunity; for my students, an early start to the weekend.

But I don't feel like it today...

I did get out for my walk today. After 2 days without sticking to my new routine, I really didn't feel like it today either. In the interest of psycho-scientific research, I made myself trudge up the hill and complete a short round. On a decidedly cold day, I was wrapped up in hat, scarf and no small amount of negativity.

I'd like to say that after 10 minutes I was glad to have made the effort and I was benefiting from the fresh air. Instead, I was thinking how little time it takes to undo a fragile, newly developing habit. I shall have to start again from today.

As I write this, I'm feeling the knock-on effects of having been at my pc most of the day. The daily walk really is a very important thing, for both body and mind. Tomorrow is another day; I'll aim to get that walk in and manage it with a lighter, more willing heart.

A Public Holiday

October 3rd is a public holiday in Germany. In our house, a day off usually mean a chance to catch up on stuff that doesn't get done in the busy working week. And so the plan on Tuesday was to take the opportunity of a work-free day to do some - work!!!

Over breakfast, as is my wont, I settled down to soak up some more of my current book. So enthralling was the book, and so quiet was the house, I kept reading until 11am. The beak came when I was asked to drive my kids to and from places. In brief, I spent the public holiday completely NOT doing that which I'd intended to do. Apart from - and here I am pleased to share - my daily walk!!!

It was a glorious October day so using a slot between car journeys, I walked a different route from my usual. The sky was its best shinning sky blue, a few skimpy clouds majestically skimmed the horizon, a buzzard leisurely circled and glided above the treeline. Still feeling a bit under the weather from my cold, half an hour along the river was just right.

Today, however is a different story. The stuff I'd intended to do yesterday, now has to be squashed into 3 1/2 hours before I head off to teach. Getting the daily walk in will be a bit of challenge. Will report back tomorrow as to whether - or, better to say - how I manage it!

Daily Walk Commitment - Days 2 &3

Day 2
Despite feeling distinctly under the weather yesterday, I got myself up and away from my desk and went for my walk. Nothing of great interest to report. The only moment of note (for me, anyway) was when I reached the point of "left for the longer walk / right for the shorter walk". I kept going left and benefited from the longer route.

One of many woodpiles along the way

Day 3
Today, it was somewhat easier to get myself out. I made a conscious decision to put my walking shoes on before doing anything else. I know that when I get caught up with stuff, it's easier to put off the walk. While walking, I pondered on how perhaps I'm beginning to construct a new habit. Perhaps I'm laying down the route for a new neural pathway in the area of my brain where the habit of staying in and sitting at my desk has been embedded?

I was also thinking of Autumns past. This time last year, I was out and about in sandals and t-shirt still. It was that weekend of 30 degree temperatures. Lovely! I remembered walks pushing a baby buggy while waiting for my daughter to finish her swimming lesson. The luxury of a quiet stroll with nothing more to consider than getting back to pick up my little swimmer and go home for supper.

With my daily walking, I want to focus on today and the details I see around me in that moment now. To truly soak up that moment and feel gratitude for my amazing environment. Invariably, I end up listing a number of things that I  need to do as soon as I get home. Perhaps I need to add an additional goal to the daily walk - switch off and live in that moment.

Classic Autumn Colours

Autumnal Abundance

Commitment

I recently read in one of my coaching study books - can't remember which one, I'm reading quite a few simultaneously (I know, I know - let's just not go there right now, OK?) about commitment to goals. In order to stick to the decision to do something for ourselves - let's say "exercise" for arguments sake - we stand a better chance of staying on track if we buddy up with someone.

So. Here's the thing; being such a sedentary person (remember the multi-book reading habit), I'm beginning to suffer the effects - lower back pain, stiff & heavy legs, general poor cardiovascular fitness. Also, the general stress of DOING TOO MUCH (again another topic for another blog - and I'm sure I'm not alone when it comes to needing to look at that debate), causes an overload in my brain.

Solution? 20-30 minutes daily walk. A march up the hill at the back of our house and a steadily-paced walk over the fields. It really is a most delightful route. We live in an utterly breath-taking area - which conversely actually provides me the opportunity to take plenty of oxygen-rich breaths. I love it once I'm out and up the hill.

And the thinking I manage to do...Loads of thoughts. I love it! Today, the thoughts centered on coaching and mentoring for educators. But, how can I offer coaching and mentoring guidance if I can't follow my own advice?


Solution? Get a buddy or two to help me stick to my goal of taking a daily walk. In lieu of an actual walking buddy right now - hubby is out of action with torn ligaments - I thought of posting daily reports in FB. If I know people are aware of my commitment to action, I'm more likely to avoid loss-of-face by posting each day. Then I thought, that might get irritating for those with no interest in "walking with" me.

Solution? The blog post! Ideal - I'll post the link and anyone interested in checking up on my progress can pop by when then want. Brilliant, don't ya think?!

Now, I have an added incentive to maintain my daily walks. And while Autumn is spoiling me with such spectacular displays of colour, it's even more of a pleasure.








Stated Aim: to walk every day for 20-30 mins starting today.

Promise to self: will post a short insight into thoughts on walk and, most specifically, the fact that I did walk!

Time frame: 1 whole week (with the option to extend another week)

This is a personal experiment on how commited I am to my goal and how disciplined I can be in keeping to my promise.

Watch this space.....

Will you still like me?

One of my worst fears is that if I speak honestly and say what I really think or feel, the other person won't like me any more. Until today, I thought it was a rare fear; that I was unique in being so worried that my words would precipitate a sudden loss of love. Or worse, an outbreak of total dislike and disappointment towards me. My words might be misconstrued; I'd be incapable of adequately expressing myself. It would be an awful situation from which my relationship with the other person would be unlikely to survive unscathed.

Then I'd be left isolated and discarded; out in the cold, rejected and unwanted. All because I had dared to express what I thought or felt. It's much better to stay quiet and not rock the boat, right?  Yes. Absolutely. Keep the peace and everything will be alright. I'll get over whatever had upset me and move on. No harm done.


Since learning more "psychology stuff", reading about the topic for my studies and actually looking at my own behaviour, I'm realising the damage I do, not only to myself, but my close relationships by choosing this "don't rock the boat" strategy. I'm beginning to realise the benefits of actively choosing honesty over my personal fear. 


Looking back, I can count numerous occasions where the fear of speaking my mind, expressing my thoughts and feelings, has lead to - guess what? - misunderstanding and disappointment! By not being honest up front, the other person with whom I've inadequately communicated has built an inaccurate picture of me and what I wanted.  

Fortunately, help is at hand. As is my want, when I have a situation which needs attention, I buy a book. During my coaching studies, I have bought and read many books (see the list in my previous blog post). One of particular relevance to this fear of not being liked is Susan Jeffers' "Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway."

If I analyse my fear of "people not liking me", it equates to a fear of rejection, disapproval and possibly loss of image. This particular fear is what Susan calls "Level 2 Fear": it is not situation-oriented, but rather an "ego-based" fear. She writes: "Level 2 fears have to do with inner states of mind rather than exterior situations. They reflect your sense of self and your ability to handle this world." (page 12)


She goes on to describe level 2 fears as translating to: "I can't handle being rejected..."

"AT THE BOTTOM OF EVERY ONE OF YOUR FEARS IS SIMPLY THE FEAR THAT YOU CAN'T HANDLE WHATEVER LIFE MAY BRING YOU."

Susan proposes:

"IF YOU KNEW YOU COULD HANDLE ANYTHING THAT CAME YOUR WAY, WHAT WOULD YOU POSSIBLY HAVE TO FEAR?"

Another book which offers me hope in conquering this fear is the one I'm currently in the middle of. In particular, the very first tool, designed to help with avoidance. I'm very happy in my comfort zone and do a lot of the things the authors point out as avoidance tactics which keep me safely in the zone. Could it be that my desire to not speak up and rock any boats is a way of staying inside my familiar comfort zone? It is too painful for me to face my fear and speak up. Although this chapter focuses on situations different to this particular fear, the tool to help overcome avoidance I suspect could be helpful. Another chapter of particular relevance is the one about "Find Confidence and Inner Authority". 
It could be even more useful. Looking at when I avoid confronting someone honestly for fear of them not liking me, I see a close link to my relationship with people in authority. As the elder daughter, being quiet and amenable was a valued and rewarded behaviour. Especially when it came to keeping my seldom-seem father happy with me. It's a bit tedious, but true - we are significantly shaped in the first years of life. We pick up on the atmosphere around us. Our sense of self stems from this critical developmental period. So, we're unlikely to be able to identify when or how we became so fearful of something. 


That doesn't mean we can't change our behaviours. It just takes time and patience with ourselves. There are so many resources out there to help us. Ultimately, though, it's our own action which will cause the changes to occur. This is something clearly demontstrated in Marshall B.Rosenberg's wonderful "Nonviolent Communication: A language of compassion." 

"NVC" is a compassionate way of communicating and an ideal model for those of us who fear the results of what we say. Having read this (and my other coaching-related resources), I now believe I am as important and valuable as any other human being. That being true, my thoughts and feelings are as valuable as those of my communication partner. Therefore, I'm perfectly entitled to express them. The key is to do it in a respectful, considerate way. This takes A LOT of practice. But keep in mind, I am not responsible for how another person chooses to react to what I say. My responsibility is to speak honestly. To say clearly what I see, how I feel about it and what I want to happen as a result of our discussion. Here is a summary of how to use NVC. For more detailed information, go to the NVC website.

Dispelling long-held fears and changing deeply ingrained behviours are not easy things to do. It's a work-in-progress for me and with each small success, I'm cheered on to continue the fight and to move to a place of balanced-thinking and honest, healthy communication. 


How about you?

Affordable Coaching for Freelance EFL Teachers

Professional & Personal Coaching for

English Language Teaching Professionals.

Photo: eltpics, @aClilToClimb

Many teachers work intensively and with focus on their learners. The job requires a great deal of self-motivation and dedication to maintaining inspiration and motivation in the classroom. Then they have to actually teach something useful, interesting and relevant to their sometimes less-than-willing students. Teaching might well be the most “noble profession”; how many teachers feel convinced of the truth of this?  

"In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less."Lee Iacocca

I believe a person has within them infinite capacity to achieve extraordinary things. Sometimes, we lose sight of what’s possible, what’s available to us, who is around to support and work with us. It’s the human condition. As a coach, my role is to provide a space where you can take time out to look at what’s going on with you and your environment. As a teacher, I empathise with many issues which can arise in the profession. I will listen with respect and patience, in absolute confidence, while you think through the issue currently blocking your way forward. Through a process of timely and incisive questioning, you will gradually unblock the way and uncover the answer you were looking for, and discover it was within you all along! 

Photo: eltpics, a ClilToClimb

“The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.” Khalil Gibran

Investing in ourselves can sometimes feel like a guilty waste of time and money. I truly believe that I am giving my students a valuable additional service when I have spent time on learning more and developing myself.  Knowing the teaching profession as I do, I completely understand the conflict of personal development with paying the bills and doing as good a job as possible in too-short days! 

Photo: eltpics, @ALiCe_M

“People want amazing results with limited resources. They say they haven’t got time. We show them ways you can use coaching to free up time.” Shaun Lincoln, director of coaching and action learning at the Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL)

 With this in mind, if you are a freelance EFL teacher, I am prepared to work with you on a “pay-what-you-can” basis. In the open market, coaches offer their services for €100 – €300 per hour. That hour goes beyond the face-to-face interaction; the coach prepares appropriate material, considers which tools would be of most benefit and follows-up after sessions to check if their client needs additional support. It’s an important relationship which a coach nurtures and cherishes for as long as the client has agreed to work on something. 

Photo: eltpics, @sandymillin

 “Coaching links entirely with increasing capacity and raising attainment. It increases self-knowledge and helps direct communication and the ability to challenge in a non-confrontational way with clarity and purpose.”Lesley Mackenzie, head of Westfield Primary School in Radstock, Bath

You can reach me via e-mail: michelle@keeptraining.de or by mobile: 0174 97 22 5555. The first “chemistry” meeting is always a complimentary consulting session. 

Special thanks to eltpics for making such great photos available for free and to all the photographers who contribute. Good effort folks. Thank you. 

Coaching for ELF Teachers - BESIG / TESOL France Symposium June 2012

What a weekend it was in Paris! Of all the teachers' conferences I've been to the last few years, it's up there at the top of my "had a great time" list.

The half hour talk I did went much better than I expected. Despite not getting across everything I wanted to in exactly the way I would have wished. Perfection is such an elusive goal. Luckily I'm not someone who needs to reach it very often. I was in a positive frame of mind, the music perked me up and the audience, spread around the lecture room were receptive and friendly. Above all, Roy very generously agreed to be my guest coachee!

Had to share this shot - simply silly expressions!

This one is more like it - a real coaching session...

 And another thank you to Tom for being an excellent scribe. Quiet, unobtrusive yet observant and careful in his capturing of what Roy said. Thanks so much gentlemen.

Checking what Tom has written on the flip. Which option to focus on.

This post is essentially a follow-up to that and the request for my slides and book list.

So. Here's the list of books I've read since beginning my Post Grad coaching course:

Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl (very moving and highly inspiring. An extraordinary story)
Time to Think, Nancy Kline ("Ease creates; urgency destroys" lady!)
More Time to Think, Nancy Kline
Coaching for Performance, Sir John Whitmore (The GROW model guy)
The Psychology of Executive Coaching, Bruce Peltier (heavy going; haven't finished it yet)
The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle (v.spiritual and absolutely worth reading if you rush around a lot)
Egan's Skilled Helper Model..., Val Wosket (just read part of those - want to finish it soon.)
Further Techniques for Coaching & Mentoring, David Megginson (not read all)
The Chimp Paradox, Dr. Steve Peters (an absolute must!)
Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking, Malcom Gladwell (thoroughly readable and highly fascinating)
Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell (in the middle of it now. Brilliant!)
The Element: How Finding your Passion Changes Everything, Lou Aronica and Ken Robinson (excellent and utterly inspiring)
Personal and Leadership Development: The Foundations for Continuous Growth, Sean Reddaway
Procrastination: Why You Do It, What To Do About It Now, Jane B. Burka and Lenora M. Yuen - (a pair of professional procrastinators - they really know what they're talking about!!)
The Tools: 5 Life-Changing Techniques to Unlock Your Potential, Phil Michaels, Barry Stutz, (have read only the sample from Kindle. Will download when I've finished the 3 other books I've got on the go at the moment!)
The Magic of Metaphor: 77 Stories for Teachers, Trainers & Thinkers, Nick Owen. (The book from which I read The Grammarian story in my talk).
Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman (a classic!)
The Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships, Eric Berne, MD (another classic; if you can stick with his writing style and some outdated (in my opinion) attitudes, it's a really fascinating, insightful read).
Introducing NLP: Pyschological Skills for Understanding and Influencing People, Joseph O'Connor & John Seymour (I'd already read their NLP for Trainers a number of years ago - deeply helpful for me professionally. The authors write in a very accessible way)

And the three other books I shared with you on Saturday:
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, Susan Jeffers - If you're someone who worries a lot - or just from time-to-time - read this even if you don't read any of the others.
The Prosperity Plan: 10 Steps to Beating The Odds and Creating Extraordinary Wealth (and Happiness), Laura B. Fortgang (her Little Book of Meaning is a lovely read too!)
And of course our very own Duncan Foord: The Developing Teacher.

OMG. That's quite a long list. I'm surprised I've had time to do any work the past 10 months! Luckily I'm an avid reader.

Anyway, there you go.

Can't upload the slides from the talk on Saturday here so have put them on the ELTAS group page on Facebook. Am contemplating sharing the video I made of Roy's coaching session - not sure about that one though.
Maybe we'll make do with the photos above.
 
In closing, here's the text from my last slide: Whitmore's coaching "prayer"!

„Where there is confusion, coaching can bring clarity.

Where there is fear, coaching can build trust.

Where there is concern, coaching can bring hope.

Where there is isolation, coaching can bring connection.

Where there is competition, coaching can bring cooperation.“

Taking Control. Making Decisions

"When you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true." This is the fundamental philosophy of Paul Coehlo's book "The Alchemist". He also reflects that "the greatest lie in the world is that at some point we loose the ability to control our lives, and become pawns of fate."

I came upon these thoughts when researching a story I've been using recently with my business English students and Springboard group. The story I shared comes from Nick Owen's book "The Magic of Metaphor: 77 Stories for Trainers..." The story itself, taken from The Alchemist, is about the secret of success lying in us using all our senses to truly appreciate the world around us, while at the same time taking care of the essentials in our lives. Something definitely worth exploring further. However, this blog is about how what I read after the success story connects with what I currently have on my mind.

By sharing these thoughts "out loud", I want to alert the universe so that it can conspire to help my wishes come true.

One wish in particular which I have just dared to formulate, is to return to the UK and continue my career in training and development within a large corporation. I wish to be back within a couple of hours driving distance of my extended family: my (aging) parents and in-laws, my sisters & brothers-in-law and their growing children; my cousins and their families with whom I so enjoy spending time. I simply want to return to my familial tribe. While gaining on that front, I also want to apply my skills and experience, gathered over the last 13 years of self-employment, to a new environment. I want to have the experience of being part of something bigger than just me. Hand-in-hand with my intrinsic needs, I also want to benefit financially. To finally have a regular, secure income: no more back-tax repayments, struggling to meet all the German social insurance payments and constantly running to refill my overdraft.

On the surface, taking into consideration current circumstances, this is highly unlikely to happen. My immediate family, husband, daughter and son, don't feel the same way. So I need some back up support from the aforementioned universe! That doesn't mean to say I don't accept responsibility for my own destiny - I'm certainly no pawn. I want to take control of my own future and decide how I want to spend the coming years. Don't get me wrong, I haven't been held captive against my will the last 16 years in Germany. I've enjoyed a happy, comfortable, varied life. I've been able to enjoy spending time with my growing children and build a home for us all here. It's something I've got on with because I didn't really have any other choice.

I do have choice. And I want to exercise my right to choose where I live and work.

Inspirational

Sitting in departures of Glasgow airport waiting for my gate notification, the running digital ad board alongside the info board, was showing a promo:

“Scotland is inspirational in many ways.” “How has Scotland inspired you?”

Where the conference took place: The SECC

Being in Scotland this week has inspired me greatly. Not because I was in Scotland but because I was at the IATEFL conference in Glasgow. The fact that it was my first experience of IATEFL and it was in Glasgow will be inextricably linked for me. What a friendly city.

As clichéd as that may sound, I found it to be absolutely true. And what a friendly, approachable, welcoming lot the IATEFL crew are. On Sunday when I was unsure about where to go for the pre-conference associates’ dinner, my Twitter plea for information was answered by the President no less!

Springtime in Glasgow

 Now, despite my post-conference fatigue, I can say I’ve felt inspired this whole week in Glasgow. My first ever IATEFL Annual Conference. I’d never made the effort before thinking the distance, inconvenience, time and energy needed to get me there and through the whole experience just weren’t worth it. As a small, freelance teacher of mostly in-company BE courses, what could IATEFL offer me? There would be mostly “proper” teachers; people who became teachers by design rather than by accident and who subsequently take ELT very seriously.

 Those people are definitely there – in their thousands. What I discovered is that I fit right in! I met up with people I know and struck up conference friendships with new people – colleagues with whom I intend to stay in touch.

Colleague, Helen Strong, meeting in the concourse

Instead of feeling like an imposter or a semi-fraud, I felt right at home! Indeed I found the whole experience extremely inspiring, stimulating, (re-)motivational and lots of fun. There are many different types of teachers at IATEFL, and I mean more than those from the different SIGs and therefore teaching with a different focus (business English, ELT for young learners,teaching full-time in schools – public or private). There are traditional English school teachers, the pragmatic “this is my business”, entrepreneur-minded and the real actual academics. I peeked into the world of ELT in academia where people study the process of teaching, the effects on learners of different types of teaching, the whole educational psychology aspect. It’s fascinating! There are so many big, “technical” words for language, language teaching, language learning – a never ending source of material for academic discourse. A whole other world from that which I inhabit on a daily basis.  And utterly fascinating.

 As well as conversing quite comfortably with the IATFEL President, I fell in with a number of renowned and highly respected ELT authors, with movers and shakers of the wider community, I chatted with representatives from the publishers, owners of international language schools. In other industries I could imagine the “famous” people being less approachable. At IATEFL, it’s much more a “we’re one big family” environment. Ultimately, everyone is a teacher and with that commonality at the core, building relationships and making connections is as natural as drinking gallons of coffee between the many talks and workshops during the conference!

Queuing for coffee

Being an international conference, meeting teachers from around the world was also very exciting – I talked with teachers from Cameroon, Ghana, Serbia, Poland, Turkey, Wales (!). Talking with some of them reminded me of how privileged we are in Germany in terms of infrastructure (unlimited access to internet) and good pay. And all the many different accents floating around the SECC!! People talking sometimes in their native language but often using English to chat between nationalities. A brilliant example of ELF in action! Personally, I found it quite strange – in a good way – to know that no matter who I wanted to speak to, I was guaranteed they would understand me and be able to confidently chat back. A refreshing change for an English woman living in a foreign country
So what I am ultimately saying. Being at IATEFL Glasgow was exhausting, at times frankly overwhelming. Ultimately, though, I found it highly professionally organised, varied, informative, fun and utterly inspiring. If you were also there, how would you respond to a banner ad flashing up next to the departures screen:
 
“IATEFL is inspirational in many ways. How has IATEFL inspired you?” 
Michelle.

Stephanie Ashford and I just before her and Tom's workshop

PS: Here are some pictures from the week. Thanks to Mike Hogan for sharing on Flickr: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjyJ2D5y

Holding My Horses

I’m all a flutter. Thoughts are continually whizzing around my mind; ideas popping like firecrackers on new year’s eve. A slow churning of subtle excitement and anticipation – a few nerves too – accompanies me during the day. And keeps me awake at night (well, one night so far, if I’m honest!)

What’s going on, you may well ask…

Nothing earth-shattering nor particularly monumental. I volunteered to be part of my local teachers’ association. The difference this time (I’ve been on the committee team before) is that my role is to chair the group. My experience of those who have gone before gives me a great sense of responsibility. It is a role which requires management and leadership; commitment to doing the best for the association members. It requires creativity and forward-thinking; clear and transparent communication between committee team members and the wider membership.

I’m also discovering, fortunately in the early stages, it also requires patience and an understanding of the nature of the people who make up the membership. It requires me to “hold my horses”!

As a person who thrives on new ideas, looking for different ways of doing things, being creative and getting things done, I have to avoid riding roughshod over others. Thank goodness the chair is but one person among a group of bright, intelligent, knowledgeable people. People who hold a gentle restraining hand on me, while supporting other ideas with enthusiasm and willingness.

Personally, it is disconcerting and frustrating for me when I hear cautious voices. Those who question my ideas and present an alternative perspective. On one level, I understand the importance and validity of those voices; doesn’t stop me from feeling annoyed, irritated and frustrated, though!

Feeling a certain way about something is OK – I firmly believe. It’s how we deal with those feelings that is important. As I want this experience to be a personal developmental one, I set myself the challenge of behaving like an “adult” (those who familiar with transactional analysis will know what I mean!).

So, I will continue to indulge my penchant for idea storming. Then I will listen to those around me and accept that not all of my ideas will be possible to implement. I will value the judgment and wisdom of my team and work on mutually agreeable solutions. I will hold my horses back for a certain amount of time.

Do I sound like a Chairperson yet? I’m really looking forward to doing positive, useful and interesting things with – and for – ELTAS. I will keep an eye on my passion while not allowing it to be dampened too much.

There now, there’s that churning excitement in the pit of my stomach. Potential, I love it. The start of something new and improved. Let’s see what the team and I achieve together.

I’ll keep you posted!