Shows
Thrive in ELTTrailer: How You can Thrive in ELTDo you want to thrive in your English language teaching life? Learn about the Thrive in ELT podcast and how the practical episodes can help you reduce stress and find more time to breathe by getting organized. Connect with your host, Heather Johnston: Website LinkedIn Facebook 2025-01-0401 minThrive in ELTWhat I've Been Working On This SummerA new academic year is on its way, and so is a new season of the Thrive in ELT podcast. Listen to this short update episode to find out: what's coming next at the Thrive in ELT podcast and how you can set yourself up for a calmer, more sustainable semester. Resources: Book your Power Hour with Heather and prepare your Plan B for this academic year by going to: https://www.eltresourceroom.com/resources Connect with Heather: Website LinkedIn Facebook2024-08-1302 minThrive in ELTHow Organization Can Impact Your ELT LifeWhat do you have control of in your ELT life? Relationships? The environment? What and how you teach? Your professional development? In whole or in part, some of these aspects you probably can control while others you can’t. But one thing you absolutely can control? Your organization. When I became more aware of what I was spending my time on, how often I was completing certain tasks, and what was frustrating me the most, I realized that I could choose to make my ELT life better – by organizing the different areas of my l...2023-09-1209 minThrive in ELTHow to Take Advantage of Small Bits of Time in Your Teaching ScheduleWhen you look at your teaching schedule, do you see small bits of time scattered throughout? Maybe 15 minutes here and 45 there. Your life in ELT makes for an interesting schedule, doesn’t it? Your calendar is filled with classes, office hours, meetings, and plenty of other to-dos. It can be especially challenging when activities are broken up throughout the day that leave you with small bits of time in between to get things done. Is there any way to take advantage of the situation? Fortunately, there is. In this episode, discover where these sma...2023-06-2706 minThrive in ELTAchieving Organizational Consistency as an EAP/ESL Teacher [Ep. 50]If you’ve ever gotten something organized in your ELT life, felt good about it, and then over the course of a semester slowly fell out of the habit, you’re not alone. Being consistent in maintaining organizational systems can pose a challenge. It often takes several tries (aka practice) to make systems work, and that equals time and effort. But with the benefits of organization being so great, you’ll find that it’s worth it. In this episode I discuss those benefits as well as walk you through an example organizational issue and how cons...2023-06-1307 minThrive in ELTImplementing Meaningful Activities at Every Stage in the Semester with Hall HoustonHow much time do you spend looking for or creating meaningful activities for your students throughout the semester? Maybe you’ve spent hours searching for that “just right" activity a time or two, which can be extremely frustrating and exhausting. Well, in today’s episode, you’re going to hear from Hall Houston, Lecturer at National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences in Taipei, Taiwan. It was in the fall of 2022 when I discovered his book, 101 EFL Activities for Teaching University Students. I found myself going back to it time and again throughou...2023-05-3019 minThrive in ELTReorganizing Your Physical Space at the End of a TermHave you ever gotten to the end of a term, breathed a sigh of relief, and then looked at your physical space, the relief quickly dissipating? You chose to prioritize – planning and meeting with students were more important than making sure extra handouts were put away. This is certainly a logical choice, and one I’ve made myself multiple times over the years. But sometimes what you see after exams and grading are done can be visually and mentally overwhelming. Instead of ignoring the chaos or waiting until the next term starts (dreading it al...2023-05-1607 minThrive in ELTHow to Avoid Tech Tool OverwhelmIf you sat down right now and made a list of every tech tool you use, how many do you think you’d come up with? 10, 15, 25, more than that? As an English language teacher, you’ve probably tried all kinds of tech tools that promise to improve your students’ learning and make your life easier. There are certainly many tools that actually do deliver on their promises, but sometimes, all of the options can simply become overwhelming. Instead of stressing out over trying to use the latest thing – or everything – join me in figuring out...2023-04-1807 minThrive in ELT4 Essential Elements of Organized Teaching [Ep. 45]How organized is your EAP/ESL teaching? Maybe your answer depends on the type of task or even the day of the week. Getting organized certainly takes time, effort, and intention as well as an openness to learning new things. It also takes knowing about what can be organized and why. Without a purpose, why organize? When it comes to teaching (and I include the preparation and follow-up here too), my purpose is to ensure that I have everything I need so that I’m ready to teach, my classes go as s...2023-04-0409 minThrive in ELTThe Pros and Cons of a To-do ListTo-do lists really aren’t all that effective. Have you heard that before? Most people, including me, use to-do lists, but there is some truth in that statement. The point of a to-do list is to help you get things done. Yet do you have a list (or have had one in the past) and it feels like you never really make any headway? Perhaps it gets lost in the shuffle over time or you simply ignore it. If a to-do list doesn’t actually do what it’s supposed to do, th...2023-03-2107 minThrive in ELTWhat to Do When You're Overwhelmed with "Stuff"How much “stuff” do you have? You know, things like file folders, binder clips, textbooks, and even course materials on your computer. And how much do you have to do? Think of meetings, reviewing student work, lesson planning, and filling out forms required by your institution. It can be difficult to keep up with everything every day. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all of your “stuff”, you’re not alone, and you don’t need to feel ashamed or embarrassed for struggling to keep up. I know what it’s like when y...2023-03-0708 minThrive in ELT4 Tips for Cutting Down on Your Working HoursHave you ever felt like you just couldn’t give anymore of your time to your teaching job? Maybe you were overwhelmed with the workload. Or stressed out because of unexpected changes. There will likely always be fluctuations in your working hours due to factors outside of your control like student enrollment, staff turnover, and contractual expectations. Even your own beliefs about how much time you ought to be putting into your work come into play. No matter the reason though, even including the reasons that are out of your control, there are way...2023-02-2108 minThrive in ELTHow to Clean Up Your Digital Files"What can I do about all of the digital files that keep piling up?" A participant asked this question at the end of a training session I provided for ELT freelancers a couple of months ago. It’s a really good one, isn’t it? Over time it’s only natural to accumulate quite a collection, which can become an overwhelming part of your ELT life. So what can you actually do about all of those digital files that keep piling up? Tune in to today's episode to discover the two aspects...2023-02-0707 minThrive in ELTTurning Your ELT Goals into Reality [Ep. 40]Want to turn those ELT goals into reality? Whether big or small, the aspirations you have for improving the lives of your students and yourself are worthy. But sometimes, it can be a challenge to actually see them through. You think: Do I really have time to do this? Let’s do this thing! (2 months later…) Wait, what was it that I wanted to do? There’s no way this would work. Instead of jumping right in or completely dismissing the ideas you have, listen to today’s episode for the three steps you can take that...2023-01-2409 minThrive in ELTHow to Make Systematic Improvements to Courses You TeachYou want to make improvements to a course you’re teaching. You think, "Ugh, that lesson could have been better." Or perhaps it's more like, "I can't wait until I can start this course all over again." Instead of feeling overwhelmed or guilty, allow yourself to celebrate the fact that you're noticing and reflecting, both of which are necessary parts to thriving in ELT. When it comes to making changes to a course, it doesn't have to be a stressful and overwhelming experience. In fact, when you do it systematically, it can be quite...2023-01-1009 minThrive in ELTSaying Yes or No: When Is One Better Than the Other?Have you ever noticed that the word no doesn't have a very good reputation in certain situations? Saying yes, on the other hand, often gets accolades. There are some situations that are really easy to say no to. But when it comes to everyday ELT life, many things come up where you're probably more likely to say yes. Whichever you decide, either yes or no, you want your answer to work for you. This doesn’t mean that you choose in a selfish way, but rather, that you choose in a reasonable way. 2022-12-1310 minThrive in ELTWhy the Mundane Tasks Matter and What to Do about ThemMundane tasks. Those ordinary, day-to-day things you have to do but don't consider all that exciting or motivating. (Maybe they even make you sigh, roll your eyes, or grit your teeth a little?) As an EAP/ESL teacher, some of your mundane tasks may include: reading, writing, or responding to certain emails; filling out your timesheet or leave report; reviewing student work; preparing for meetings; or completing administrative forms. The truth is though, all of these can be just as significant to complete as those tasks you might classify as urgent or important. ...2022-11-2908 min
The Creative Pivot - Actionable Inspiration for MidlifeEnneagram 9 Party with Sharon Nichols & Kristina Brummer- Grow Your Heart Centered Business SeriesSharon Nichols joins Kristina Brummer and Heather Johnston on the 9th and final episode of the Grow Your Heart Centered Business Series on The Creative Pivot. Sharon is an Enneagram 9 who loves the insight she’s gained through the Enneagram and encourages others to explore and discover their own type. A few resources include:Complete the RHETI assessment at The Enneagram Institute.Read The Essential Enneagram, a scientifically developed Enneagram personality test & self-discovery guide.Sharon is the founder of Grow Love With Words (GLWW). GLWW began several years ago as an idea that just wouldn’t go away...2022-11-181h 03Thrive in ELTThe Do's and Don'ts of Google DriveWhat do you use Google Drive for as an EAP/ESL teacher? Creating course documents? Collaborating with an ELT colleague for an upcoming conference presentation? Sharing ideas and giving feedback? Google Drive has a ton of great features, but … it can be a bit overwhelming and frustrating at times. In today’s episode, I share 5 tips on what you want to do and don’t want to do when using Google Drive. For full show notes of this episode, visit https://www.eltresourceroom.com/podcast/36-the-dos-and-donts-of-google-drive Book a free 15-minute c...2022-11-1509 min
The Creative Pivot - Actionable Inspiration for MidlifeClearing Your Mind for Better Productivity - Grow Your Heart Centered Business SeriesThis week on the Grow Your Heart Centered Business Conversation, Kristina and Heather discuss ways to declutter and organize your thoughts to improve your productivity and create more time for you. By clearing our minds we allow ourselves to move away from the "I'm too busy to find time for self-care, rest, and fun" mentality that we can easily fall into as entrepreneurs. Bios:Heather JohnstonIn the summer of 2019, Heather took a leap, without a safety net. She was burnt out and left her job of over a decade to ta...2022-11-1144 min
The Creative Pivot - Actionable Inspiration for MidlifeCommunication Tips for New Entrepreneurs - Grow Your Heart Centered Business SeriesAs heart centered entrepreneurs we always want our authentic voice to shine, but how do we do that? What things do you do, or wish you did, to talk with your clients about the ways your business can make their lives better?Bios:Heather JohnstonIn the summer of 2019, Heather took a leap, without a safety net. She was burnt out and left her job of over a decade to take a chance on herself. It was scary, and at 45 she had spent the last decade building her career in technology...2022-11-0449 minThrive in ELTWhy Organization is About Being Flexible and Not FixedOne definition of organization is that it’s “the quality of being arranged in a way that is sensible and useful.” Did you notice that it doesn’t say anything about being perfect … or fixed? Sometimes we EAP/ESL teachers can be really strict with ourselves thinking that we have to stick with a specific formula for any number of reasons. But in today’s episode, I share why your organizational systems should allow you to be flexible and not make you feel forced to be rigid with yourself or a situation, especially when pivotin...2022-11-0107 min
The Creative Pivot - Actionable Inspiration for MidlifeWhat's Your Calling Card - Grow Your Heart Centered Business SeriesWatching an episode of Downton Abbey we were intrigued by the idea of people leaving their calling cards when visiting. Our conversation today is all about what our calling cards are and what they say to those around us. would the modern-day equivalent of your calling card be? Is it your website, your email, or your Instagram bio? When people speak about you and your business to others are you confident that they can describe what you do, who you serve, and the solutions you provide?Bios:Heather JohnstonIn the s...2022-10-2141 min
The Creative Pivot - Actionable Inspiration for MidlifeHuman Design and Soul Care - Stacy CordovaDo you have an activity or tool that always brings you back to feeling aligned? That works so well in helping you to learn more about who you are, what you do, and why you love the things you love?You may call it self care, but what about calling it soul care? Stacy Cordova is our guest on the podcast and she talks about her journey to discovering human design as her soul care alignment tool. Heather has experienced a Soul Map Human Design reading from Stacy and if you visit her website you can find...2022-10-1932 minThrive in ELTWhat Really Needs to Be on Your DeskRemember how you started off the new semester feeling refreshed and ready to go? Your desk was one area you got prepared. You were happy with the newly tidied and organized space, and you were determined to keep it that way. Now you’re full on in the semester though, and maintaining an organized desk area is not always at the top of your priority list. Yet if the items on your desk aren’t helping you stay focused and productive, then it may be time to look at what you’ve got and de...2022-10-1808 min
The Creative Pivot - Actionable Inspiration for MidlifeRecovering People Pleasers - Grow Your Heart Centered Business SeriesPeople-pleasing is the strong urge to please others even when they may be putting their own needs at risk. People-pleasers may have the tendency to take on responsibilities that are not asked of them. These actions can lead to higher levels of burnout as both an employee and an entrepreneur. On this week's episode in the Growing Your Heart Centered Business Special Series, Kristina and Heather discuss their own patterns of people pleasing and ways that you can recognize when you slip into a people-pleasing role. Referenced in our conversation: TedX University of Toronto talk...2022-10-1436 min
The Creative Pivot - Actionable Inspiration for MidlifeHow Are You Using Your Time? Grow Your Heart Centered Business - Special SeriesHow are you using your time? Do you hear the words, "I'm so busy", coming out of your mouth on a regular basis?This episode we talk about our own time management quirks, our real thoughts on why time is one of our greatest assets, and the importance of paying attention to where you are spending your time. Bios:Heather JohnstonIn the summer of 2019, Heather took a leap, without a safety net. She was burnt out and left her job of over a decade to take a chance...2022-10-0731 min
The Creative Pivot - Actionable Inspiration for MidlifeJourney to Self Care with Amanda Ferrat, Advanced EFT PractitionerWhat if your journey to self-care led you to your dream career? That is what happened to my guest Amanda Ferrat, Advanced EFT Practitioner. What started off as a somewhat toxic relationship with self-care led her to discover the tool that became her self-care tool of choice, and now she helps others through the practice of EFT and wellness counseling. Amanda Ferrat, founder of Value Yourself Counseling, is a certified Advanced EFT Practitioner and emotional wellness counselor that uses her compassion, empathy, intuition, and skills to help women break barriers and limitations to build new thought patterns a...2022-10-0539 minThrive in ELT5 Steps for Managing an Overwhelming Week“How am I going to get all of this done?” Once you settle into a new term, you figure out what to expect from week to week. But occassionally there’s a week that sneaks in that isn’t quite so normal, and the stress level starts to rise. You've ... agreed to substitute for two of your colleagues. got a conference presentation on Thursday, which happens to be your busiest teaching day. just noticed after going through your emails that you forgot to put a committee project deadline on your calendar … and it’s in thre...2022-10-0409 min
The Creative Pivot - Actionable Inspiration for MidlifeFive Projects Too Many? Grow Your Heart Centered Business SeriesKristina Brummer and Heather Johnston are back with the second episode in the Grow Your Heart Centered Business Series. This episode Heather introduces the Five Projects Rule, a concept discussed by Charlie Gilkey, the founder of Productive Flourishing, in his book Start Finishing. This concept or rule was discovered on Jenny Blake's podcast Free Time.This episode came on the heels of our first episode. We started talking about time management and taking on too many projects. We hit record once we realized that it was a perfect conversation for all of the heart-centered leaders a...2022-09-3028 min
The Creative Pivot - Actionable Inspiration for MidlifeGrow Your Heart Centered Business - What We Wish We Would Have KnownKristina Brummer and Heather Johnston are back with another episode in our Grow Your Heart Centered Business Series. This conversation is a juicy one as we talk about the lessons we learned from starting our businesses. We are sharing our top tips to help you get started with your heart-centered business. I'm not going to give any spoilers you will need to listen to the episode to get all the details. When we were planning this episode we realized that it was a perfect combination of the Why, What, and How that you need to kee...2022-09-2357 minThrive in ELTSetting Boundaries in Your ELT Life (and Not Feeling Guilty About It)In your experience teaching academic English, have you ever … stayed late at the office? worked on a weekend a time or two (or more than you can count)? Maybe you’ve done so because it was the only way to get everything done. Maybe it's because you consider yourself a dedicated ELT professional. Or perhaps it's because working long and hard is just part of the job. On their own, there's nothing wrong with being dedicated to your profession and working late. But when the choices you make in your ELT life cause you t...2022-09-2009 min
The Creative Pivot - Actionable Inspiration for MidlifeGrow Your Heart Centered Business - Special SeriesEpisode 53 and it is a special one as it kicks of the Grow Your Heart Centered Business Series with Kristina Brummer, Founder of The Spectacular Middle, a full service virtual support agency for entrepreneurs.Kristina is a heart-centered entrepreneur building a small business, and she knows first hand how it feels to get lost in the weeds of the day-to-day operations of your business. She started her agency after a successful corporate career. In the creative pivot fashion she changed the trajectory of her life.Together, Heather Johnston & Kristina Brummer, we will be having a...2022-09-1624 min