JumpStart Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day (11/18/23)

Let’s have some fun!  Formula:  “<your name> the Elf, what’s your favorite color?”
We (OK, *I*) have a tendency to take life too seriously.  For us stick-in-the-muds, we have to remember that humor is one of the most important factors in choosing a partner, and has been shown to provide relief in all sorts of stressful situation.  Check out this article for more.

Big Idea:  Thursday is the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year.
Winter, cold, darkness, and silence.

But there is power in silence even though it can make us nervous.  I always told my students after I asked a question and let the silence sit that I was taught in Teacher School to wait 3 seconds.  These days, when I’m out and about giving presentations and Administrator Academies, and I ask a question and then be quiet, someone invariably shares something great *just* as I’m getting to uncomfortable and feel the need to move on.

Here are three areas where silence can be power:

1. Apologies:  Apologize for your actions, and then stop talking.  We have a tendency to fill the (perceived) awkwardness with chatter/excuses that diminish your apology.
2. Centering Yourself:  Our brains are chatterbugs. Embrace the silence inside and outside your body to ground yourself when you feel scattered.
3. Build Trust:  In order to build trust, you have to listen.  To listen, you have to be quiet.  And sometimes, it’s OK to be silently companionable with another person (us introverts like that!).

This week, try this: Build your silence stamina. Find a quiet place where you can be comfortable.  Eliminate all external noise that you can control.  Close your eyes or turn your gaze inward.  Breathe.  Follow your breathing.  Concentrate on your breathing.  When your attention turns to something else, notice it, name what it turned to, and then bring your attention back to your breath without judgement.  At first, it seems like all you are doing is redirecting your attention.  That’s exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. Start with a minute, and then slowly increase the time you spend with this exercise.

Quote:  "A seed grows with no sound, but a tree falls with a huge noise.  Destruction has noise, but creation is quite.  This is the power of silence.  Grow silently."  (Confucius)

Educator Resource:  PEP Con 2024 - Positivity, Energy, & Purpose Conference
We are back for the second annual event!  Wednesday, February 21, 2024, Gateway Center, Collinsville, IL.  8:30 - 3:00.  Limited to first 300.
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We have three excellent speakers lined up who will make you laugh, think, and walk away feeling energized.  Register now to hear Michael Bonner, Joe ‘Mr. D.’ Dombrowski, and Monica Genta.  Presenter bios, Info, and Registration.  Sponsored by the Area 5 SEL Hub.

Dad Joke:  Someone asked me what the 9th letter of the alphabet is.  It was a total guess, but I was right!