As my body decided to wake up ridiculously early I’ve been looking through my news feed on Facebook and there seems to be a lot of talk about dieting and getting healthy. The nature of the comments made me think about motivation.

What is the motivation behind the necessity to lose weight? Is it because of health reasons? Is it because of an idea of what size they should be? Is it because of pressure from society, family, or friends? Is it to be able to fit back in to clothes they used to wear? Is it because they want to? In my experience the only successful motivation is wanting to!

As a teacher I see the effect motivation has on a pupil, and I do mean motivation rather than bribery. Bribery works, but not to the same extent as wanting to do something. If a pupil wants to do a subject, and enjoys a subject, they are more likely to try harder and succeed in that subject. 

As I’ve said before, I have tried to get healthy and lose weight before but it has never succeeded, because I never really wanted to! I was happy as a person, I liked what I was doing. I knew that I needed to lose weight, I knew I needed to exercise, there were even times when the Drs told me that they wouldn’t continue treatment/investigations unless I lost a significant amount of weight. None of this was enough. It wasn’t until it was what I wanted to do that suddenly it all clicked.

A pupil once told me “I wish I wanted to come to school”! This 13 year old recognised that if he wanted to come to school he would probably try harder and achieve more.

I have to admit that this is confusing me, because I often teach about the difference between wanting and needing. Eg I WANT chocolate, I NEED food! But I think it is all about mindset it’s not enough to know that you need to do something, you have to want it.

This brings me on to goals. Again at the beginning of the year we look at goals, what do they want to achieve by the end of the year? How are they going to achieve it? A question people keep asking me, when will you stop, what is your goal? Answer… I don’t actually have a goal. I’m just going to keep going, until I’m at a weight/size that I want to then sustain – it really is more about a lifestyle for me. Similarly with running, people have said to me that they have to sign up for races to give them the motivation, that’s fine for them, but I’m actually happy just running. I’m not doing it to achieve anything, I probably will do some races at some point, but at the moment I’m just happy going out and running!

Motivation is important, and you may be a goal driven person, but the success is going to come easier if it is something you want to do. I’ve been given a few opportunities recently, some of which I’ve turned down, others I’ve accepted or even offered to do. The ones I’ve chosen are the ones I want to do, and I know that I will do a better job because I’m excited about them. My excitement has come across, and has been spotted by others, and encouraged them as well.

We can’t always do things we want to do, I know that, but even with the things we have to do we can work out why we want to do them as well! By changing our attitude to things, it then has a knock on effect in all areas of our lives, but also on those around us as well.

I’ve noticed a difference in my classroom this year, I want to be there want to enjoy the day, I want the pupils to learn and enjoy, so far there have been a lot of laughs and we’ve all been enjoying it not enduring it!

On 28th August 2004 I got married, and there was only really one choice of song to walk back down the aisle to – Zipadeedodah – obviously! It expressed everything about the day, and it was Disney!

The phrase I’ve heard myself saying a lot over the last week is FANTASTIC – quite frequently with the word Flippin included as well! This has been used to describe classes, opportunities, the year ahead and even meetings! After the anxiety attack last week I couldn’t have imagined saying this, but it has been a really positive start to the year. I feel in control… Well more in control than usual… And I’m excited about what is to come!

Every year I start afresh, but this year seems different. This is partly down to relationships with colleagues, a recognition of my ability, a renewed love of the job, but mostly the pupils! The joy they have shown in lessons, the excitement for learning, the comments they’ve made including ‘I’m so pleased you’re teaching me’ and a year 11 girl telling me I look ‘flippin fantastic’! I’ve overwhelmed myself at what I’ve accomplished for me, and I really want that to be able to spread into all aspects of my life, especially at work! 

It’s such a blessing and privilege to work with young people, in some of the most formative years of their lives. This comes with a lot of pressure though, which I’ve been very aware of hearing parents say how I’ve impacted their children! I want to make the most of that opportunity, and this year I really am more aware of that!

When I typed in fantastic to the image search, the flower above came up. It’s a stunning flower but it’s not fully developed yet. I’m developing as a person, I’m growing and changing; and people are noticing. It’s definitely not just a size thing – apparently I’m glowing and have a renewed sense of energy! I’m also still perfecting the awkward dance with the compliments!

I’m no biologist but once the flower grows it will then pollinate, to create more beautiful flowers. I hope not to sound big headed, but I know a few people have started to make changes in their lives after seeing/hearing the difference in me.

I’ve always said I’ve made the changes for me, but I love the impact it has had on my relationships. I don’t teach for me, it honestly is about the pupils but… If the changes I’ve made for me can have an effect on my work for them it’s a win win situation! 

Apologies for the analogy but… If the growth in me can pollinate to a change in them, to then change others -WOW! 

It really is a fanflippintastic time, so exciting! It’s going to be hard work, but I’m up for it!

Zipadeedodah zipadeeay, my oh my what a wonderful day! Plenty of sunshine heading my way. Zipadeedodah zipadeeay! Mr bluebird on my shoulder, it’s true, it’s natural… EVERYTHING IS SATISFACTUAL!

 One of my first blog posts was that I was doing this for me, I wasn’t doing it for anyone else. That is still the case, but what I’m (very) slowly starting to realise is that the effect is having me, is having a ripple effect to others as well!

For those who don’t know, I am teacher. I teach religious studies to 11-18 year olds. I have been told by many that I am crazy, but I absolutely LOVE it! Today was GCSE results day, and as usual I went in to give out results, to celebrate and commiserate. Whilst I was at school I realised how much more I have been enjoying teaching this year. I have had a lot more energy, in order to teach better. Today I was able to actually jump around with pupils in celebration – actually physically jumping! 

A number of colleagues, pupils, and even parents, commented on how well/fantastic I was looking, but also how the pupils have enjoyed their lessons with me this year. I hadn’t realised how tired I was, and how that came across in the classroom, especially as I get stroppy when I get tired.

The choices I have made for me, are having a ripple effect, on friends, on family, but also in my job – without me even trying!

Over the last few years I’ve been exploring vocation, things are rather on hold at the moment, but what I’ve come to realise is that my job is a vocation – I know that because not many people would willingly choose to spend their days with teenagers. 

I know that God has a plan for me, I have no idea what that is, but I know that I have been placed at my school, and have been blessed by the staff, pupils and parents of that school. Now I just have to try to do my best, to encourage the delightful pupils and staff to be able to enjoy the daily manicness that is school life, and to then encourage others to do the same.

We may not feel we are making a difference, but we all are! So many of you who have been reading this have inspired me. Let’s see how far the ripples can travel!