Welcome to The Flourishing Teacher’s Field Guide. Grab a cuppa (and maybe a biscuit too), think positive and soak up some life-changing content!

This week we’re thinking about why teachers suffer from limiting beliefs, what they are and how to overcome them. I really do believe it’s a vitally important aspect of teaching to explore.

So let’s jump in…

Why Teachers Suffer From Limiting Beliefs

It’s hard enough being awesome in the classroom without sabotaging yourself along the way, right?

Teachers already face days packed with challenges, and the last thing we need is to create even more for ourselves, just by the way we think and the things we tell ourselves.

But the beliefs we hold about ourselves, our potential and our capabilities play a big part in creating the reality of our lives.

For a long time, I held some beliefs about teaching, and I thought they supported and motivated me. Turns out they did quite the opposite…

“I need to be perfect to make a difference.”

“Effective teachers work harder than ineffective ones.”

“I’m not good enough, so I need to go the extra mile and give more of myself to make up for it.”

All it meant was that I pushed myself towards burnout and didn’t really take any joy in my achievements or the achievements of my students.

We all have beliefs developed over time that we use to define ourselves and the world around us.

The problem is that if those beliefs are limiting us, they’re not helping. And as teachers, we spend so much of our days feeling as though we’re battling to overcome challenges. So it’s not surprising our way of looking at the world can be a bit negative if we’re not careful.

Do you recognise any of these?

The good news is that we can learn to overcome our limiting beliefs and reframe the way we think about ourselves as teachers and as people. And in doing so, we can change ourselves and our school communities for the better.

We can bring positivity back to our professional and personal lives.

Let’s look at how to start…

5 Strategies Teachers Use To Overcome Limiting Beliefs & Thrive

Imagine a belief you have about yourself as a teacher that holds you back in some way. It's like a little voice saying, "You can't do that," or "It's not worth trying."

That’s a limiting belief.

They aren't always true, but they can feel extremely convincing. The key is to recognise them, challenge them, and replace them with more empowering beliefs that help you move forward.

Here’s how:

1. Challenge and Reframe:

• Challenge: Write down your limiting belief. Now, list evidence that contradicts it. Did a student surprise you with their effort? Did you implement a new strategy that worked well?

• Reframe: Turn your limiting belief into a positive affirmation. "I'm not a good enough teacher" becomes "I am committed to improving my teaching skills."

2. Focus on Growth Mindset:

• Celebrate effort over achievement. We spend our days encouraging students to embrace challenges and view mistakes as learning opportunities. It’s time we did the same for ourselves.

• Model a growth mindset yourself. Share your own experiences with overcoming challenges and learning new things. Grow in public and you’ll be amazed by the positive forces you attract.

3. Build Collaboration and Community:

• Connect with other teachers. Share your struggles and successes, and learn from each other. When you start to see the limiting beliefs other teachers hold, you’ll start to recognise your own too.

• Seek out mentors or professional development opportunities. This is such a critical and often overlooked aspect of the role. We don’t change if we don’t do the work, so start to invest in your own growth and well-being.

4. Celebrate Small Wins:

• Acknowledge your achievements, no matter how small. Did you finish a lesson plan? Did a student overcome a personal challenge? Celebrate these victories!

• Share your wins with others. This reinforces positive emotions and motivates you and your students. It sets us on the road to thinking about the value of our achievements and rather than of our perceived failures.

5. Practice Self-Care:

• Prioritise your physical and mental health. Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and engage in activities you enjoy. When we celebrate ourselves, and believe that we are entitled to look after ourselves personally, we begin to do the same professionally.

• Set boundaries between work and personal life. Disconnect from school and create time for relaxation and rejuvenation. One of my biggest limiting beliefs was that I had to work all hours outside school. As soon as I shifted that limitation, life became a lot more balanced.

Selected Sources and Links:

• Book: "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol Dweck

• Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindset

• Website: https://ecorner.stanford.edu/clips/betterups-six-core-values/

• Website: https://truthforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/how-to-overcome-limiting-beliefs/

• Website: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/tag/self-care

• National Education Association (NEA): https://www.nea.org/

• American Federation of Teachers (AFT): https://www.aft.org/

• The Jed Foundation: https://jedfoundation.org/

What Are You Waiting For?

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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.

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This Is Perfect For When You Lose Your Passion!

We’re back with another awesome episode of our podcast, all about what to do when you lose your passion and enjoyment for teaching.

We all have bad days, but when those days turn into weeks, months, or years… you need to learn how to turn it around and get your ‘happy’ back.

The alternatives are to continue to be miserable or quit, and neither of those options feels good.

You can check our latest podcast out on Spotify or hit the link below.

We promise you won’t regret it!

Thank You For Everything

One of our strongest beliefs at Marigold Teachers (and it isn’t the least bit limited) is that every single teacher out there deserves to be applauded, recognised and thanked on a regular basis.

So, if no one’s cheered you on this week, noticed the million extra things you do or just said thank you, then this is for you…

You’re awesome. We see you, and we know how hard you work. We know you give everything, and we’re super-proud of all you are. You’re marvellous, and we want you to stay that way!

Don’t forget the key messages when it comes to overcoming those limiting beliefs…

In next week’s issue, we’ll unpick the number one challenge for most teachers and offer you three surprising strategies for balancing your personal and professional life.

Until then, remember, you’re more than your marking, your lesson observations and your planning.

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