Trust - 005 Dear Mammy and Daddy

Dear Mammy and Daddy, 

Can't believe while writing this we are going into the final three/four weeks of 2020. 

What a year it has been!
December 2019 - Had an MMA fight, got a concussion, lived to tell the tale and went home for Christmas for the first time in 2 years <3.
Jan 2020 - Explored Japan to see if we wanted to move there.
Feb 2020 - Decided to apply for jobs in Japan.
March 2020 - Got jobs in Japan. 
COVID STRUCK 
April - July 20204 - In limbo, quit jobs, sold our belongings, Didn't know if we could enter Japan (scary, changing, challenging times).
Aug 2020 - Leaving NZ and Rob behind, moved to Japan, not knowing what the future would bring.
Sept 2020 - Started a new job, in a new country with new cultures, customs and languages. 
Oct 2020 - Rob got his visa and came to Japan <3.
Nov 2020 - Permanent Residency of New Zealand got accepted <3.

Dec 2020 - That brings us to now, getting ready for 2021 reflecting on the year just gone.....

Trust 

This week I have been reflecting on Trust. What creates trust in relationships - professional or personal? Is there a way to accellerate trust or does it have to earned over time? 

'Nothing is as fast as the speed of trust' - Stephen M R Covey with Rebecca Merrill

In my previous school, Stonefields School, we were introduced to 'The Speed of Trust' and I have referred back to this over time because I think it has some really powerful insights into the importance of trust and how it can create a culture of confidence or a culture of suspicion. 

This week again has been another rollercoaster with many ups and downs. I think through my interactions it has made me reflect on why a culture of confidence is so important when it comes to innovation, relationships and growth which are the themes for season 2 of Empathetic Educators.

If we are seeking to collaborate and grow together wether it be in a personal relationship or with people we work alongside virtually or physically. Creating solid foundations through trust is so important to create a culture of confidence.

Why do I think we should be aiming for a culture of confidence?

Confidence comes from the latin root word ‘fid’ which means ‘to trust’

Confidence - Is a state of being clear headed either that a hypothesis or prediction is correct or that a chosen course of action is the best/effective.
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Confidence - the feeling or belief that one can have faith in or rely on someone or something

While searching the different types of confidence and the different definitions, I think my biggest takeaway is that confidence is needed in many different ways when it comes to innovation, relationships and growth.

• Confidence in one self -  This is vital because in order to grow together some times the road gets bumpy, sometimes tough conversations are needed in order to progress. And if we are self conscious or don’t have confidence in our own abilities and attitudes then this can result in people being taken advantage of or worse feel intimidated by the conversation which can result in one or both parties feeling threatened and responding negatively to the tricky conversation so growth is stunted instead of stimulated.
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• Confidence in the system - Belief in what is going on in our environment is so important. Wether it be a personal environment or a professional environment. Trusting that it is safe to put yourself out there and give something a go is essential. Trusting that what is being said is said with honesty and integrity. Trusting that mistakes can be made and that open conversations are encouraged. This is what I think supports the growth of the system in many ways on a variety of levels.

My biggest takeaway from this week is having trust in yourself. During 2020 there has been many different ups and downs which has resulted in us having to look internally for some answers. Looking outwardly, especially during changing, challenging times can mean we put the locus of control in someone else's hands. But I think this is where the feeling of helplessness can come from. 

Of course we need the system around us and we can rely on the people around us for support but this year I have had to look in ward and reflect on if I agree with my own personal actions as well as the actions of others, if I can back my own choices and decisions and if I can backs the decisions of those around me. 

Our choices have an impact - what impact are you going to have? - Empathetic Educators 

Now more than ever I am so passionate about teaching self esteem, self confidence, self worth, self compassion and so much more to my learners. Understanding ways we can help them have value in themselves rather than looking externally for validation, like Kecia talked about in last week's podcast. 

Well that is my ramblings for this week!! 

We had a great weekend last week. We went to a place called Kawagoe and it was filled with Japanese Heritage which was great to see, Rob didn't get to fulfil his Samurai ambitions yet but he is getting there.... 

I also took part in #EdtalksLiveS2 which saw the end of Movember and we raised money for a great cause with a fabulous bunch of educators from around the world!!  

This week we have the first Live session of #Empathetic_Educators which I have never done before so I am excited and nervous about that and I think we are going exploring the sites again so let's see what is in store!! 

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and week ahead. 

xoxo