Welcome to The Flourishing Teacher's Field Guide.

In this issue, I want to show you how to leverage the science of habit stacking to create lasting positive change. If you're ready to transform your wellbeing without overwhelming yourself, this one's for you.

Let's jump in...

When Everything Feels Too Much

Here's something I learned the hard way...

Adding new habits to a busy teaching schedule often feels impossible. Between lesson planning, marking, supporting students, engaging with parents and actually teaching, where do we find space for change?

But what if we could piggyback new habits onto things we're already doing?

James Clear's research shows that identity-based habits have a 125% higher success rate than outcome-based ones. 

Why? 

Because they work with who we are, not against it. And that kind of efficiency is gold dust for busy teachers like us.

As we've explored throughout our January issues, sustainable change isn't about massive overhauls. 

It's about smart strategy. 

And one of the smartest strategies I've discovered is habit stacking - the art of building new habits onto existing ones.

3 Science-Based Ways To Stack Your Success

1. Identity-Based Habit Formation

You’re the teacher you decide to be. What’s more important is you’re the person you decide to be too.

It’s all about how we actively identify ourselves.

We might not be able to change the situation, but we can change how we think about the situation…

The Behavior Design Lab's studies show that linking habits to identity doubles their success rate compared to linking them to outcomes.

Transform your teaching identity:

• From "I should mark faster" to "I am a teacher who values efficiency"

• From "I need to be more organised" to "I am creating a calm learning environment"

• From "I must reduce stress" to "I am someone who prioritises wellbeing"

Research shows this subtle shift changes how your brain processes challenges.

2. Habit Bundling

Further studies from the Stanford Behavior Lab indicate bundled habits have an 80% higher completion rate than isolated ones.

In other words, great habits bundled with other great habits become exceptional actions.

Try these teacher-specific bundles:

• Bundle checking emails with standing at your desk

• Combine lesson planning with your favourite drink in a special mug

• Link photocopying walks with mindful breathing

• Pair register-taking with three deep breaths

Each bundle should feel natural, achievable and profoundly rewarding.

3. Environmental Priming

Environmental psychology is the study of how people interact with their environments and how those environments shape people. 

It's a multidisciplinary social science that aims to give people the tools to improve their wellbeing by actively managing their physical surroundings.

As teachers, we can’t always control the school environment. But we can control our personal environment.

Create your supportive space:

• Place a plant where you most need calm

• Keep a designated 'wellbeing corner' in your classroom

• Create visual reminders of your priorities where you'll see them most

• Set up your desk to support your new habits

Research into environmental psychology demonstrates that physical cues increase habit success by 90%.

Being 90% better sounds pretty amazing to me… the key is making your environment work for you, not against you.

What Are You Waiting For?

We believe that teachers achieve extraordinary things under challenging circumstances and that we all deserve to be valued, supported and celebrated.

That's what this newsletter is all about.

If you haven't subscribed yet, why not join the Marigold community? You'll get weekly strategies for sustaining your wellbeing, avoiding burnout and flourishing as a person, not just a teacher.

And best of all...?

It's free and always will be.

You can find out more about what to expect in this weekly newsletter here, or just go straight to our sign-up form.

Get Exclusive Access To Our Free Online Course…

As valued subscribers, we’re delighted to offer you free lifetime access to our short course in teacher wellbeing. It’s just part of the value you get from being a member of the Marigold community.

Our five lessons introduce you to some essential elements of teacher wellbeing:

• How to compartmentalise your life and work

• How to manage your work/life balance

• How to boost your productivity and efficiency

• How to get the support you need

• How to build a positive mindset

Click the link below and start getting value from the course now!

Thank You For Everything

Small changes add up to big transformations. 

By taking these tiny steps toward better wellbeing, you're not just changing your own experience - you're modelling sustainable self-care for your whole school community.

And if no one else says it today, thank you for being the kind of teacher who keeps growing, keeps learning, keeps trying. 

Your commitment to personal growth enriches everyone around you.

Here’s a reminder of our key ‘small change’ takeaways…

Remember, you're more than your marking, your lesson observations and your planning.

You're you. And that's all you need to be.