Being a Thought Leader. You Can Make a Difference
For a long time I thought I was just one of the team supporting our prisoners. I am an Exam Officer and I didn’t claim to have any clout in decisions that could affect those I worked for.
But a while ago that changed.
It wasn’t just my mindset that changed. I realised that I could influence others by the work I did, the decisions I made, and the people I talked to.
Let me give you a for-instance.
Once I ‘owned’ the value of being an Exam Officer at an HMP establishment, I started thinking about my other varied passions (Mindfulness, Writing, Personal Development) and my awareness drew me to those of influence.
I shared my skills with The Exams Office, became one of their respected Invigilation Trainers and was offered the chance to lead Mindfulness workshops at their summer Exams Office Conferences.
Encouraged by these opportunities, I approached our TV station WayOutTV and was given the opportunity to record 6 meditations for our prison TV system in the East of England, UK.
Last week I heard that my meditations were now on a new Digital Service for our hard-to-reach students at HMP, offering Wellness and Mindfulness to help them engage with learning.
It’s mind blowing to know learners can choose to listen to my meditations to help them handle their day, and ease their minds. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!
This is Serendipity at work. A case of doors opening when we let ourselves open to possibilities.
These are times when we connect the dots and set our thoughts into action.
You may be an Exam Officer, a Teacher or a Leader in your School Community. I’m sure you’ve seen many students struggling with their Mental Health this past year.
So you wonder how you can make a difference? I believe it isn’t by chance that you’re drawn to this blog and connecting with me. I believe there’s a really opportunity here to help others through our intentions.
As a thought leader you have an opportunity to put ideas and solutions to the decision makers around you.
You can be the spark that inspires others.
Sometimes we just have to stand up and speak out when we see something that can help. So I want to help you share the idea of Mindfulness as a solution to the lives of those you work with.
I felt able to reach out to others with my life experience, and this is your moment to do the same.
By raising Mindfulness as a solution to troubled minds you’re raising your hand as someone of influence. You see the value of an inclusive school programme. You know that Mindfulness CAN offer a way through current anxieties.
If we teach our youngsters to manage their feelings then we’re teaching them skills for life.
- Imagine if students had a way to downplay the stress they currently have in your life?
- What if your students could tap into easy-to-learn techniques to help them handle daily upsets, future events, and past experiences?
I’ve made Introducing Mindfulness to Your School a go to practical course that teachers and leaders can share with students.
Read what Jugjit Chima of The Exams Office said about it:
“It is so refreshing to find a course which is easy to follow, simple to engage with and complete, and which gives some excellent hints and tips on how relatively small changes can help to develop a much more positive, relaxed and stress-free perspective on an individual's life and approach to everyday activities.
The language used is appropriate and easy to understand for students and staff alike, and the content encourages users to not only consider personal circumstances, but also how to develop and improve senses and feelings with simple everyday activities and techniques.”
Every day, as a Thought Leader you have an opportunity to influence the thinking of those around you by:
- What you know
- What you read
- What inspires you
- What moves you
- What touches you
If those around you, in your school, are hurting right now, if your school could benefit from a joined up Mindful approach to learning and living, then please, take a look at Introducing Mindfulness to your School.
Don’t hold back on sharing what you know. Bring it to the attention of those who can make that difference.
Be the thought leader you are and share what you know about Introducing Mindfulness to your School.
If you would like me to speak to your school, lead a workshop, or help with CPD training, you can find details at www.geraldinejozefiak.com