Thrive in ELT
What if your English language teaching life was so organized that your systems helped you manage your time, get things done, and thrive in work and life? Know what? It’s not impossible. With over 20 years in the teaching and administrative trenches, I know what it’s like to have a to-do list a mile long when all you want to do is rest. In each bitesize episode, I’ll share quick, practical tips that you can apply right away so you can live a more relaxed, happier, and organized ELT life. Looking forward to talking with you soon. - Heather Johnston
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Sharing Ideas in English Language Teaching: Writing Journal Reviews [Ep. 79]
11/18/2025
Sharing Ideas in English Language Teaching: Writing Journal Reviews [Ep. 79]
Every English language teacher has something worth sharing. Even you! If you've ever thought your teaching insights weren't "publishable” (Yep, thought it myself.), the newest Thrive in ELT podcast episode will quickly change your mind. Michele C. Guerrini, the Reviews Editor for TESOL SPAIN, walks you through the process involved in writing a journal review. In this conversation, we explore: ▪️What types of ideas are worth sharing (Hint: There are more than you think!) ▪️ How to write your journal review ▪️ Why sharing your work benefits you as much as your peers ▪️ Practical tips for making time to write (even when you're busy) Ready to see how you can contribute to the ELT community and grow professionally? Listen in and turn your ideas into action. For full show notes of this episode, visit Connect with Michele: Send Michele an email, proposing a review for TESOL SPAIN: Take a look at previous reviews in TESOL SPAIN: (Choose a date and then click the orange Read the reviews here link underneath the image to access the issue.) Stay up to date with the podcast and more: Sign up for my newsletter to get organizational tips that will help you build the thriving ELT life you’re longing for >> Connect with Heather:
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Learning from a Teacher Who Taught 100 Years Ago [Ep. 78]
11/04/2025
Learning from a Teacher Who Taught 100 Years Ago [Ep. 78]
Ever been inspired by a teacher who taught 100 years ago? I have to say that it’s a new one for me! In this episode I’m reviewing "The Thread That Runs So True" by Jesse Stuart. Surprisingly, this 1949 autobiography of a Kentucky mountain school teacher impacted me more than I expected. What struck me most: Stuart’s experiences are extremely relatable. (Maybe you haven’t been able to sleep at night either because you’re trying to figure out how to help your beginner students?!) He valued people – his students, his teachers, the community in which he taught, and himself. He wanted his students to learn but not just facts and figures. Learning also included responsibility, respect, and relationship. Despite the century between us, his struggles and joys as an educator feel very present. And his story reminded me why I teach — not just to cover pronunciation rules and vocabulary but to build confidence, create meaningful connections, and help students express their true selves. My biggest takeaway? I'm on the right path. And after 20+ years of teaching, that validation from across a century means a lot. Listen in to hear about Stuart's leadership qualities, his surprising teaching philosophy, and why this book belongs on every English language teacher's reading list. For full show notes of this episode, visit Stay up to date with the podcast and more: Sign up for my newsletter to get organizational tips that will help you build the thriving ELT life you’re longing for >> Connect with Heather:
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Batching as a Teacher: Is It Even Possible? [Ep. 77]
10/14/2025
Batching as a Teacher: Is It Even Possible? [Ep. 77]
Ever feel like you're constantly jumping from task to task? Planning one class… grading a few papers… checking email… then back to planning another class? Thank goodness there's a better way! Batching your work (grouping similar tasks together) helps you get and stay focused and get more done with less stress. In this episode, I share how I batch three key areas of my teaching life: lesson planning, grading, and administrative tasks. You'll hear what works for me, like my Wednesday lesson planning routine, and get practical ideas for finding your own batching system. If your schedule feels chaotic or you're tired of feeling scattered, this episode will help you think about how to get more done without adding to your workload. Ready to discover how batching can make life easier for your ELT life? For full show notes of this episode, visit Stay up to date with the podcast and more: Sign up for my newsletter to get more organizational tips like in today’s episode that will help you build the thriving ELT life you’re longing for >> Connect with Heather:
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What It Really Means When Your System Fails [Ep. 76]
09/30/2025
What It Really Means When Your System Fails [Ep. 76]
Imagine that you're the testing coordinator at your school. It's the day before exams, and you've done everything on your checklist... except order the actual tests. No imagination needed here. This is real life for me! What happened next came as a surprise though. After years of working on being kinder to myself, I finally realized something in my head and my heart. It wasn't actually my fault. Yes, I was the one responsible, but it was the way the system was set up that was the problem. If you've ever beaten yourself up over a mistake of any size in your English language teaching life, then this episode is for you. Listen in to learn why system failures aren't personal failures and get inspired for making your own system fixes. For full show notes of this episode, visit Develop your own Personalized PD Plan: (Available for purchase through Oct. 9. 2025) Tired of setting your sights on professional development and not following through? Create a personalized PD plan with accountability and support to help you focus your efforts and aspirations on the right-for-you opportunities. Sign up to schedule your two 1:1 coaching sessions (Oct. 13-Nov. 22, 2025) >> Stay up to date with the podcast and more: Sign up for my newsletter to get more organizational tips like in today’s episode that will help you build the thriving ELT life you’re longing for >> Connect with Heather:
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What I've Learned from Using Checklists [Ep. 75]
09/16/2025
What I've Learned from Using Checklists [Ep. 75]
Who doesn’t love a good checklist?! Well, it depends. Generally, I love them. But sometimes, they create more problems than not. (I talk about one experience I’ve had with that!) The key is to use them wisely, which means they’re better when set up intentionally and sometimes when they’re not used at all. Listen in for four things I’ve learned from using checklists as an English language teacher. I hope that what you hear will inspire, reassure, or encourage you. For full show notes of this episode, visit Sign up for the 3 Steps to Building Your Thriving ELT Life workshop: It’s happening live on Saturday, September 27, 2025. Hope to see you there! Stay up to date with the podcast and more: Sign up for my newsletter to get more organizational tips like in today’s episode that will help you live the thriving ELT life you’re longing for >> Connect with Heather:
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Finding Better Work-Life Balance [Ep. 74]
05/06/2025
Finding Better Work-Life Balance [Ep. 74]
Wish your work-life balance was a bit more… balanced? Forgetting my sister’s birthday was the wake-up call that started a gradual process of finding the work-life balance I needed to thrive as an ESL teacher. In the final episode of this season, I talk about the two key elements that moved me forward and can help make that wish a reality for you, too. For full show notes of this episode, visit Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter, Your Organized ELT Life. I’ll share tips, resources, and insights to help you manage your workload so that you have more time for yourself. >> Connect with me:
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Teachers Are People First: Finding Balance in Language Education [Ep. 73]
04/15/2025
Teachers Are People First: Finding Balance in Language Education [Ep. 73]
Don’t you love it when you find out that you’re not the only one? That’s the way I felt when I first had a chat with Ana Jereb a few months back. I felt it again when we recorded this latest episode. I typically go solo on the show, but sometimes I meet someone who impacts me and my ELT life so much that I want you to know this person too. In this episode, you'll learn about: how Ana experienced burnout as an English language teacher and then turned things around why she believes that saying students come first isn’t possible the importance of teachers thinking of themselves as people first and foremost If I were a betting person, I’d bet that you’ll see yourself somewhere in her story too. For full show notes of this episode, visit Connect with Ana: Stay up to date with the podcast and more: Subscribe to my monthly newsletter for updates on the podcast and other good stuff like organizational tips that you can apply straightaway. >> Connect with Heather:
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Four Skills, One Book: Bridging Theory and Practice [Ep. 72]
04/01/2025
Four Skills, One Book: Bridging Theory and Practice [Ep. 72]
Do you find it hard to actually apply English language teaching theory to your teaching? Often, research articles can feel distant, like the ideas are for a completely different world because you don’t see how they apply to your teaching situation. At the same time, you recognize that academic research in English language teaching is important to know about and understand – for yourself and your students. That’s why I’ve reviewed the book, Teaching English to Second Language Learners in Academic Contexts: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, for you. It’s definitely a gold mine if you teach academic English, but it’s also worth a read even if you’re not. The authors themselves mention that this book can benefit teachers who are: ◼ looking to give new energy to their teaching, ◼ just starting out, and ◼ pre-service teachers. For full show notes of this episode, visit Subscribe to my monthly newsletter: Get more helpful resources in addition to organizational tips and special offers that will help you live a calmer, more sustainable ELT life. >> Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Newton, J. M., Ferris, D. R., Goh, C. C. M., Grabe, W., Stoller, F. L, & Vandergrift, L. (2018) . Routledge. (MARSI) Connect with Heather:
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5 Ways to Truly Switch Off from Work [Ep. 71]
03/18/2025
5 Ways to Truly Switch Off from Work [Ep. 71]
Does this ever happen to you? You’re listening to music or cooking dinner and all of a sudden you get an idea for one of your classes. It’s very common for us English language teachers to think about work outside of work. I would even bet that some of our most creative thoughts come from these times! But as exciting and helpful as it can be, sometimes the way work presents itself in our personal time can feel like a burden, maybe even an intrusion. Which is why switching off from work is so important. Tune in to learn five ways you can truly switch off from work. For full show notes of this episode, visit Resources: Ready to stop putting off the professional development that you really want or need? Get rid of the frustration and guilt by creating a personal PD plan that will help you get the right things done at the right time. Grab your step-by-step PDF guide and five linked Google Docs, and lock in your two 1:1 sessions with me before March 27, 2025 >> . Sign up for my newsletter to get more organizational tips like in today’s episode that will help you live a calmer, more sustainable ELT life >> Connect with Heather:
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When Good Enough Is Enough in English Language Teaching [Ep. 70]
02/18/2025
When Good Enough Is Enough in English Language Teaching [Ep. 70]
Have you ever thought to yourself that there has to be a better way? Whether it’s every week or every day, it can feel like there’s always something to be done. What often follows? The feeling that there’s always something that could be done better. The reality of your English language teaching life is likely this: There will always be a lesson to plan, a course to revise, or an assignment to review. But that reality doesn’t have to mean long hours or striving toward perfection. What I finally decided to say years ago was this: Good enough is enough. This doesn’t mean that you stop doing your best for you students. Instead, it means that you focus on the right things, the better things, at the right time. Join me in this episode to find out how you can make good enough enough in your ELT life. For full show notes of this episode, visit Stay up to date with the podcast and more: Sign up for my monthly newsletter to get tips like in today’s episode that will help you live a calmer, more sustainable ELT life >> Connect with Heather:
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Trailer: How You can Thrive in ELT
01/04/2025
Trailer: How You can Thrive in ELT
Do you want to thrive in your English language teaching life? Learn about the Thrive in ELT podcast and how the practical episodes can help you reduce stress and find more time to breathe by getting organized. Connect with your host, Heather Johnston:
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Four Steps to Get Your Organizational Systems Back on Track [Ep. 69]
11/19/2024
Four Steps to Get Your Organizational Systems Back on Track [Ep. 69]
Have you ever started a system and then gotten off track? (My hand is up!) We all need a restart every now and again, don’t we? Some are easy, like the ones that tend to come naturally at the beginning of a new term. But others? They can feel like a disruption, a hassle, or even a disappointment. But here are three facts about organizational systems: It’s OK if you put a system in place and it doesn’t work out like you’d hoped. When you discover that a particular system or a part of a system doesn’t work, that can be a really good thing. When you get off track, it doesn’t mean that you’re an unorganized person or that you can’t handle follow-through. It means that your system needs attention. Not so sure about all of this? Then you'll want to check out this episode where I share four steps for getting your organizational systems back on track. Show Notes: For full show notes of this episode, visit Stay up to date with the podcast and more: Sign up for my newsletter to get more organizational tips like in today’s episode that will help you live a calmer, more sustainable ELT life >> Connect with Heather:
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Teaching Vocabulary (and More) through Text [Ep. 68]
11/05/2024
Teaching Vocabulary (and More) through Text [Ep. 68]
Do you find it a struggle to help your students learn vocabulary? It’s been a challenge of mine for most of my English language teaching career. But last semester I discovered a resource that’s helping me change that – all thanks to James Thomas. VersaText is a free online vocabulary tool that helps language teachers like you and me create text-specific materials and help our students discover new ways of thinking about words. Through the use of a fun yet intentional word cloud, concordance, and word profiler, I’m learning how to systematically help my students learn better. And I have to say, it feels really good. So if vocabulary is one of your topics of interest, or a need like me, listen in to hear James share his knowledge and wisdom about learning and teaching words. My favorite quote from the episode? “I always think it's like looking at a text through a kaleidoscope.” I’d never thought about a word cloud in this way, but I can see it! Maybe you can too? For full show notes of this episode, visit Resources Mentioned in the Episode: - The free, online vocabulary tool that James has developed - VersaText course for English language teachers (25% discount for the first 50 signups using the coupon code versatext25) - James’ website Connect with James on or Stay up to date with the podcast and more: Sign up for my monthly newsletter for more helpful content, including recommended resources like in today's episode, to help you live a calmer, more sustainable ELT life >> Connect with Heather:
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How to Juggle Multiple ELT Roles with Ease [Ep. 67]
10/22/2024
How to Juggle Multiple ELT Roles with Ease [Ep. 67]
What words are in your job description? I’m guessing “teaching,” but what else? It’s not uncommon for English language teachers to take on multiple roles, voluntary or otherwise. Other words I’ve seen in ELT job descriptions are ones like: advising chairing coordinating grading leading We could probably get a list that includes every letter from A to Z! While balancing multiple roles can be quite enjoyable, it can be a struggle to keep on top of everything. And that struggle can be overwhelming at times because of the responsibilities that come with them. Thankfully, there are things you do so you can spend more time enjoying and less time overwhelmed. In this episode, get six tips to help you make the juggling act a little easier. Show Notes: For full show notes of this episode, visit Resources: Sign up for the Personal PD Plan waitlist >> , and I’ll email you when the guide is available again next semester. Join my monthly newsletter for updates on future programs such as the Personal PD Plan guide plus other good stuff like organizational tips that you can apply straightaway and recommended resources that I use myself >> Connect with Heather:
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“Rest” for English Language Teachers: Practical Application (Part 2) [Ep. 66]
10/08/2024
“Rest” for English Language Teachers: Practical Application (Part 2) [Ep. 66]
What is the ratio of work to rest in your English language teaching life right now? 50:50? 60:40? 90:10? It takes effort, persistence, and likely a bit of trial and error, to get it where you want it to be. It won’t always stay consistent, but there are certainly things you can do to find a better balance that’s right for you. I surprised myself early this year when the professional development plan I created wasn’t very (what I would have called) “professional.” It had nothing to do with learning a new skill, helping my students, becoming a better teacher, or any other activity normally associated with PD. Or so I thought. In this episode of the podcast I share all about the surprising effect Alex Soojung-Kim Pang’s book “Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less” has had on my ELT life. By the end of the episode, my hope is that you’re inspired and encouraged to: evaluate the role of rest in your ELT life and not feel guilty for wanting, needing, and making space for rest in your life. Show Notes: For full show notes of this episode, visit Get your Personal PD Plan Guide: Developing a personal PD plan doesn’t have to be complicated. It just needs to be right for you. With: 1 PDF guide, 5 Google Doc templates, and 2 one-on-one sessions (between October 9 and November 26, 2024), you can do just that. But you only have access to this special offer through October 17, 2024. So go to to get your guide and book your sessions before it’s too late! Connect with Heather:
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“Rest” for English Language Teachers: Book Review (Part 1) [Ep. 65]
09/24/2024
“Rest” for English Language Teachers: Book Review (Part 1) [Ep. 65]
Do you ever find yourself saying this as an English language teacher? “I’ll (insert action) when things slow down.” Whether it’s starting back to exercising, catching up with a friend, or taking time to read a few pages of a good book, it seems like things never actually slow down. The truth of the matter is that it rarely just happens. So you have to make it. How? By intentionally resting. Before reading Alex Soojung-Kim Pang’s book “Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less,” I had no idea what that even looked like beyond sleeping and taking a (long-overdue) vacation. (Those both count, but they aren’t even the tip of the iceberg of what constitutes rest.) Maybe you’d like things to slow down more in your ELT life? A bit better work-life balance? The feeling of time to breathe throughout your work day? In this episode I share these highlights of Pang’s book: what “rest” really means, how it looks, and why you should read his book too. Show Notes: For full show notes of this episode, visit Sign Up! Stay up to date with this podcast, get organizational tips that you can apply straightaway, and check out recommended resources by signing up for my monthly newsletter >> Connect with Heather:
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5 Reasons Why You (and Your Students) Need a Course Roadmap [Ep. 64]
09/10/2024
5 Reasons Why You (and Your Students) Need a Course Roadmap [Ep. 64]
What’s new with you? A new semester often brings about a lot of “new,” like: new students a new schedule new procedures new opportunities It also means a new season of the Thrive in ELT podcast, where I’ll be sharing more tips and strategies for staying on top of your teaching game. Whether you’ve taught a course one time or 12, this newest episode will have you thinking about how to stay focused, perform the occasional check-in, make adjustments when needed, and more. For full show notes of this episode, visit Resources: Wouldn’t it be nice to be prepared for life’s what-if moments now so that you can skip the stress later? Well, you can be prepared, even for the unexpected. Get the resources you need to create a teaching contingency plan here >> Connect with Heather:
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Are You Waiting for the "Right Time" to Get Organized? [Ep. 63]
03/26/2024
Are You Waiting for the "Right Time" to Get Organized? [Ep. 63]
Do you ever tell yourself that you’ll “get to that later” because “now isn’t a good time”? Certainly there are times when it's not. But when it really may be, is your reason for waiting because… it’s all just too overwhelming? you’re avoiding doing the thing? it’s more comfortable to think instead of do? you’re worried that your effort will result in a failed attempt? The problem with waiting sometimes, though, is that you experience missed opportunities, prolonged stress, or even added frustration. When it comes to your ELT life, I’m guessing your list of wants and needs is easy to make but harder to address. Amidst your everyday life of planning, teaching, grading, and everything in between, it’s easier to say, “I’ll get to that later.” Yet, what if instead of putting off everything, you tackled just one thing? Select. Focus. Do. Repeat. What can help you follow this process? Developing organizational systems that are right for you. If you’re on the fence about whether or not today is your right time, listen in for some insight and inspiration. Show Notes: For full show notes of this episode, visit Resources: Get rid of the frustration and guilt. Create a personal PD plan that will help you work towards your professional goals, all at the right time for you. Get the step-by-step template here >> Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource “Reduce Your ELT Stress” and choose from 10 practical tips to help you on your organizational journey >> Connect with Heather:
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5 Stages of Developing an Organizational System [Ep. 62]
03/12/2024
5 Stages of Developing an Organizational System [Ep. 62]
Want to get organized but aren’t sure where to start? Starting is almost always the hard part. You ask yourself questions like: What’s it going to be like? Am I really capable of doing this? Is it even going to work? What if I fail? But you know what? Without trying, you’re never going to move beyond the frustration. Trying. That’s one of the five stages of developing an organizational system that is: purposeful, right for you, and a relief giver. Learn about this and the four other stages in the latest Thrive in ELT podcast episode. Show Notes: For full show notes of this episode, visit Resources: Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource “Reduce Your ELT Stress” and start seeing a change today >> Make your professional development personal. Get the template to help >> Be prepared for when the unexpected happens in your ELT life. Get the teaching contingency plan guide >> Connect with Heather:
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Establishing Routines for Your Recurring Tasks [Ep. 61]
02/27/2024
Establishing Routines for Your Recurring Tasks [Ep. 61]
Do you approach your recurring tasks randomly or systematically? We all have them. Those things that have to get done – over and over again. From the day-to-day to the occasional, from the simple to the complex. They’re a part of what you do as an EAP/ESL teacher. So… if you have to do them anyway, why not make things a little easier for yourself? One way to do this is by establishing routines. If thinking less, reducing your stress, and staying on track in your ELT life sounds like a good plan, then this episode is for you. (Don’t worry. It doesn’t mean that your life will become boring. 😉) Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource “Reduce Your ELT Stress” and start seeing a change today >> For full show notes of this episode, visit Connect with Heather:
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Strengthen Your Organizational Skills by Reflecting [Ep. 60]
02/13/2024
Strengthen Your Organizational Skills by Reflecting [Ep. 60]
Being prepared takes organization. And being organized takes… reflection? Sometimes reflection can take a back seat to planning and teaching because it doesn't seem to have the same degree of urgency. But reflecting before, during, and after events in your ELT life provides you with an opportunity for gaining insight into what works and what doesn’t for your teaching situation. How you reflect and what your reflections tell you can help strengthen your organizational skills. Similarly, your organizational systems can help you develop stronger reflection skills. Listen in to find out how. Get the guide to help you make professional development personal – step by step >> Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource “Reduce Your ELT Stress” and start seeing a change today >> For full show notes of this episode, visit Connect with Heather:
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6 Steps for When Your Plans Go Awry [Ep. 59]
01/30/2024
6 Steps for When Your Plans Go Awry [Ep. 59]
Have you ever had moments where you’re calm, ready for the day, and then all of a sudden… you’re not? A six-letter word is what often results: stress. The good kind of stress can be motivating and even help you better fulfill your role as a teacher. The not-so-good kind of stress, however, can be overwhelming and cause you to lose focus, making it more difficult instead of easier to accomplish what needs to get done. In this episode I share six steps you can take to keep your stress levels in check when your best-laid plans go awry. Get the teaching contingency plan guide >> Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource “Reduce Your ELT Stress” and start seeing a change today. >> For full show notes of this episode, visit Connect with Heather:
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How to Get Started on Your First Organizational System [Ep. 58]
12/12/2023
How to Get Started on Your First Organizational System [Ep. 58]
What’s your next step when it comes to reducing stress in your ELT life? If you said organizational systems, you’re an EAP/ESL teacher after my own heart! By now you know what organizational systems look like and how to choose ones that are right for you. The logical next step is for you to actually develop one. Wondering how? In this episode, I share three ways you can do that. No matter which route you choose, any one of the three will serve you well because each method has the same end goal – reducing stress and easing the overwhelm in your ELT life. Ready to start your first organizational system? Get your personal PD plan template ("Fostering Professional Development... on Your Own Terms") and teaching contingency plan guide ("How to Prepare for When You Can't Teach") here >> For full show notes of this episode, visit Connect with Heather:
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Making Things Easier for Yourself [Ep. 57]
11/21/2023
Making Things Easier for Yourself [Ep. 57]
Are the choices you’re making, and the way in which you’re working in your ELT life, actually making things easier for yourself? Sometimes we don’t realize that what’s creating difficulty in our lives is not necessarily someone or something else but our own decision-making when it comes to what we focus on. When and how we decide to work can affect the level of difficulty or ease we experience. Identifying what’s causing the stress and overwhelm is the first step. Making a plan to reduce it is next. Listen in for a useful identification exercise and four recommendations for making things easier for yourself. For full show notes of this episode, visit Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource “Reduce Your ELT Stress” and start seeing a change today >> Connect with Heather:
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Developing Organizational Systems That are Right for You [Ep. 56]
11/07/2023
Developing Organizational Systems That are Right for You [Ep. 56]
How do you decide what to do to make your ELT life less stressful? Options abound... Should you use an app for your to-do list or stick with paper? Would it be more efficient to organize your course files by skill or level? Is it more logical to create multiple calendars for different types of tasks or one calendar with visual cues to distinguish between them? Developing the right systems – for you and your ELT life – will help you manage your time and get things done. Yet trying to decide can be confusing and overwhelming, sometimes to the point of even avoiding making a decision. In this episode, get a quick overview of the difference between tools and systems and then consider two factors for determining which right-for-you organizational systems you should develop. For full show notes of this episode, visit Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource “Reduce Your ELT Stress” and start seeing a change today >> Connect with Heather:
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The Characteristics of a Good Organizational System [Ep. 55]
10/24/2023
The Characteristics of a Good Organizational System [Ep. 55]
What makes a system “good”? This is a logical question, and I’m glad you asked! You obviously don’t want to develop a system that isn’t good, but what does that look like? Which leads to another question, what does “good” even mean? “Good” has multiple levels of meaning, and in the case of describing a system, I’m going to define it as this: It is appropriate and purposeful for you. Although the systems you develop may differ from mine or from a colleague’s, the characteristics will be the same. Listen in to find out what those characteristics are and how they can make all the difference in developing organizational systems that are right for you in your ELT life. For full show notes of this episode, visit Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource “Reduce Your ELT Stress” and start seeing a change today >> Connect with Heather:
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The 5Ws of Organizational Systems [Ep. 54]
10/10/2023
The 5Ws of Organizational Systems [Ep. 54]
Have you ever wondered what an organizational system really is? Or said to yourself: “System” sounds complicated, and I’m not cut out for that. Instead of giving up before you even start, keep asking those questions... Who are organizational systems for? When and where would I even use them? Why should I take the time and effort to create them? How would I go about using them after they’re developed? Listen in to find out the answers. Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource “Reduce Your ELT Stress” and start seeing a change today >> For full show notes of this episode, visit Connect with Heather:
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Why Your Level of Organization Matters [Ep. 53]
09/26/2023
Why Your Level of Organization Matters [Ep. 53]
How does organization fit into your ELT life? Does it have a leading role or a supporting one? And does it even matter? A multitude of factors can affect how you answer, including when in a semester you ask yourself these questions! While it might not be immediately obvious, and it may only play a small part, the amount of stress you experience is often tied to organization in some way. It wasn’t until I was pushed to my limit of frustration that I finally realized this. In this episode, I talk about why your level of organization matters – the people it affects and the purpose of setting up systems. If you’ve ever wondered if getting organized is really all it’s hyped up to be, you’ll want to have a listen. Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource “Reduce Your ELT Stress” and start seeing a change today >> For full show notes of this episode, visit Connect with Heather:
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How Organization Can Impact Your ELT Life [Ep. 52]
09/12/2023
How Organization Can Impact Your ELT Life [Ep. 52]
What do you have control of in your ELT life? Relationships? The environment? What and how you teach? Your professional development? In whole or in part, some of these aspects you probably can control while others you can’t. But one thing you absolutely can control? Your organization. When I became more aware of what I was spending my time on, how often I was completing certain tasks, and what was frustrating me the most, I realized that I could choose to make my ELT life better – by organizing the different areas of my life. Find out about the impact organization can have on your ELT life by listening to this episode. For full show notes of this episode, visit Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your free resource “Reduce Your ELT Stress” and start seeing a change today >> Connect with Heather:
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How to Take Advantage of Small Bits of Time in Your Teaching Schedule [Ep. 51]
06/27/2023
How to Take Advantage of Small Bits of Time in Your Teaching Schedule [Ep. 51]
When you look at your teaching schedule, do you see small bits of time scattered throughout? Maybe 15 minutes here and 45 there. Your life in ELT makes for an interesting schedule, doesn’t it? Your calendar is filled with classes, office hours, meetings, and plenty of other to-dos. It can be especially challenging when activities are broken up throughout the day that leave you with small bits of time in between to get things done. Is there any way to take advantage of the situation? Fortunately, there is. In this episode, discover where these small bits of time come from, why they can be problematic, and how you can practically take advantage of them. Do you wish you had less stress and overwhelm in your ELT life? Download your 10 free tips and start seeing a change today >> For full show notes of this episode, visit Connect with Heather:
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