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Motivation For Child
Care Professionals
Staying Motivated In
The Midst of Madness
Julie Bartkus
These are strategies that I
incorporate into my life on a regular basis to help keep me filled
with positive energy and motivation to keep on keeping on. Yes,
even when I’m stranded in an airport far away from home after four
days of touring several states. I hope they help you.
·
Listen to music that you love.
Can you think of at least one song that instantly
puts a smile on your face and a spring in your step? Music has the
power to lift your spirits. Put all the songs that you love on one
tape, and make several copies. Take a copy with you wherever you
go, and listen to it when you need a boost!
·
Attend an uplifting musical or play.
Years ago, I went to see Roads, a production
by Up With People. They’re a fabulous group consisting of 700
students (ages 17-25) from over 30 countries. Their mission is to
bring the world together through international travel, musical
performances and community service. They perform all around the
world, touring from state to state on buses. To find out when
they’ll be in your area call 800/596-7353, or visit their web site,
www.upwithpeople.org.
·
Keep a journal. Write in
it all the things that you’re thankful for and the things you’re
looking forward to doing every day. Use it to vent your
frustrations and to strategize how to overcome your obstacles.
·
Call someone who is a pure joy to speak with.
I love to call my niece, Amber. She lifts my spirits immediately.
We tell each other how much we miss and love each other and we even
occasionally – OK, most of the time – break out in song. We have a
lot of fun.
·
Treat yourself to something that makes you feel
good. If you love flowers, don’t wait for
someone else to buy them for you, buy them for yourself. Know that
you’re worth it, and you deserve to be treated special. Treat
yourself to a massage, movie or a quiet walk in the park.
·
Read an inspirational passage from one of your
favorite books daily. Reading can
help you to change your perception, which changes your mood. Read
The Twelfth Angel or The Greatest Miracle in the World
written by Og Mandino. Read Chicken Soup for the Soul
(there’s many of them to choose from – I’m sure you can find one
tailored to your soul) written by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor
Hansen.
·
Do something really fun at least once a week.
I know – you love your job and it’s fun;
however, I recommend digging deeper within yourself to find out what
you really enjoy doing. Too often we grow up and forget about what
we really have a blast doing. Climb a tree, build a sand castle at
the beach, go for a long drive without a specific destination, or
whatever you have fun doing. The point is to do it for the fun
involved – the pure joy of the moment.
If you find that these
strategies help you feel more motivated, take a few minutes and
share them with your staff or parents.