3 Ways to Reset As You Kick Off the New Year [Replay] [Episode 107]

0:01
Happy New Year podcast listeners. This week’s episode is gonna be an ultimate throwback, I’m re airing my second episode ever, which originally came out right around this time in January about two years ago. If you’re listening as we kick off the new year, I am very close to having a baby. Super exciting stuff.

0:22
Since you’re some of my nearest and dearest, I wanted to let you know what my game plan was going into a maternity leave of sorts. This is my third and each time I’ve had a baby Counselor Clique has been in a different place. So none of what I’m managing right now is some sort of standard practice where I can just rinse and repeat what I’ve done the other two times.

0:42
When I had my first counselor clique did not exist yet. Well, I take that back, I think I had just started a TPT store where I maybe had one free resource and one paid resource in it. And I really hadn’t even touched it, just created it. So on that maternity leave, I did not do anything counselor clique related. I was also in I think you’re five of working in my high school. And honestly, I imagined it would be a lot harder to separate work and home.

1:08
My biggest fear going into having a baby and being on maternity leave then, was that I was going to be missing out on things from work because I was obsessed with my job. And I love my students. And I was sad to be stepping away from them. I thought I would really be wanting to check my work email and check in especially since she was born in November. And I was just really nervous because I had been moving with a cohort of students, and they were seniors that year. So I felt like wow, this is the worst time I could possibly have a baby. But listen, you can’t plan these things.

1:41
Thankfully, my department had my long term setup. And just like my school in general, did a really good job handling things when I was out. So I really got to step away from my role as a counselor and put on mom hat during that time to figure out what it really meant to be a mom.

1:58
Flash forward to having my second daughter, it was August of 2020. And I had just decided that I was going to be stepping away from working at my high school altogether, just a couple of months before having her. And that’s a story for another day, if you haven’t heard it, you can head back to Episode one where I flush that out for you. But at this point in time Counselor Clique was a little bit more established. However, I did not have a podcast yet or my membership, the Clique Collaborative.

2:23
To prepare for taking some time off of work with Counselor Clique, this is what it looked like I was scheduling social media posts, scheduling emails to come out weekly with blog posts for followers. And this did take some prep on the front end. But I really was able to take about 12 weeks off, I spent that time getting used to being a family of four. My older daughter was about three at the time and wasn’t in any sort of preschool program or anything. So I truly was figuring it all out.

2:52
Now, I feel like every time you add another kid, it gets a little trickier, of course, but then maybe at the same time, I feel a little more confident because I sort of know what to expect a little bit I don’t know. So going into next week when I’m supposed to have this baby, let me give you a gameplan of what’s to come. I’ve planned out as much as I can. I spent a lot of time scheduling social media, writing emails, recording podcasts, and even guest episodes really far ahead of time. So I can let those ride and then pop in when I need to.

3:23
I’ll put an away message app on my email that I’ll probably check in and respond to what I can when I feel like I have the capacity to and I’ll probably be in my Instagram stories in the same way. Like when I don’t look like a trash can. And when I have the capacity to check in and say hi. You’ll be hearing about the Clique collaborative in upcoming weeks because I do want to offer that support as you head into the new semester, if you’re looking for that.

3:47
We do have those quarterly Clique Collab live calls and our next one is scheduled for February. So I’ll most likely make that happen at the end of February so that you’re not entirely sleep deprived, just a little sleep deprived with a newborn. If you want to get a headstart and hear about the click collaborative now listen to episode 88 to hear about what’s inside, or go back and listen to the December episode from just two weeks ago, Episode 105. That gives you a sneak peek into a roundtable of just a sample of clique collab live and what those feel like.

4:21
Let’s go ahead and dive into this week’s re air of episode two from the vault of high school counseling conversations. I hope you enjoy it.

4:37
You got into this profession to make a difference in your students lives, but you’re spread thin by all the things that keep getting added to your to do list. I can’t create more hours in the day but I can invite you into my counselor clique where you’ll finally catch your breath. Come with me as we unpack creative ideas and effective strategies that will help you be the counselor who leaves a lifelong impact on your students. I’m Lauren Tingle, your High School Counseling hype girl. Here to help you energize your school counseling program and remind you of how much you love your job.

5:08
I hope that you’re coming off of a winter break. That was actually restful. I know family dynamics don’t always allow for that. But I hope that you found moments of quiet just for you to recharge. After two crazy years, it’s a break from school, even if you love your school, and caring for yourself that are really going to sustain you.

5:26
I have a confession, up until recently, I thought a lot of self care woo who stuff. I mean, don’t get me wrong. Some of my favorite treat yourself moments are getting facials and getting my nails done, slap those in the budget, because hey, I’m taking care of me right? After digging in and setting a goal. Yes, one goal in different self care categories. I’ve seen some real personal growth in my own life. I’ll link to a freebie for you in the show notes so that you can try something really simple too. All this to say I hope you’re taking care of yourself personally, so that you can also thrive professionally, we all need to be doing that.

6:04
Let’s jump into resetting yourself professionally so that you can make the most out of this semester and really impact your high school students like I know that you want to. I want you to get your mind right before jumping into the new semester and a new year. If you lean into these three things that we’re going to talk about, I know that you’re going to impact more students. So let’s go.

6:25
Number one, be willing to grow and learn, you might have to dig up some energy for this one. But remember, I’m assuming you’re coming in with at least a little bit of energy from the break from school. If that’s not the case, go back and revisit your self care goals. I’ve sat through so many things that seemed irrelevant to me as a high school counselor just for some points for something or for some hours for something, or because I wanted to grow and learn and it seems like the closest thing to doing that.

6:51
So find something that seems exciting to you or reignite your fire, even if it’s one thing, even if it’s small. Remember, if you’re growing and learning your students are going to benefit, I promise.

7:06
It’s time to ease into 2024 by resetting all of your high school counseling things. Hit follow on this uniquely curated podcast playlist with six flashback episodes from high school counseling conversations to reset your year. Let’s use some tangible strategies to make sure your new semester is run more smoothly, enjoyably and effectively. On this podcast playlist, you’re going to discover how to reset yourself, your admin relationships, your surroundings, your counseling team, and your systems. There’s even a bonus pep talk episode in here because I’m cheering for you big time. Prep yourself for a successful second half of the school year by signing up to get your reset playlist by going to counselorclique.com/reset playlist. Now back to the show.

7:53
On to number two, be willing to take risks. Is there something you’ve been wanting to try in your school counseling program? Maybe a new program that you are afraid may fail? A new system that you want to implement but you’re afraid you’re lacking in the technology skills department? Could you do a needs assessment to start the year to find the gaps that your students have?

8:14
I always feel like a new year and a new semester lay out this opportunity for freshness and confidence that I don’t usually have mid semester. What have you been dreaming of implementing whether it’s big or small, but have not taken the time to flesh out and actually do it? Consider this your sign be willing to take those risks?

8:33
Number three, here we go. Be willing to advocate for your high school counseling program. Do you have dreams of having a small or tiny caseload? Start collecting to show the needs of your students and your department and your school. Advocating definitely takes a boldness that I know you have in you, standing up for what’s right for what you believe for what you know students need. Shout about the great things you’re already doing in your school counseling program, share these things with your administrators, with your advisory council, your teachers and your community.

9:05
Advocating can be put on the backburner because it often feels forward thinking while you have so many other things that you’re trying to juggle and you’re barely keeping your head above water. Or maybe even worse, you actually feel like you’re drowning. The more you advocate though, the better the balance gets , I promise. You’re taking steps forward every time you do a little PR for your high school counseling program. Being willing to advocate for your program as you step into the new year is an extremely meaningful way to reset yourself this month.

9:35
To recap the three ways you can reset yourself as you head into second semester or the new year are one being willing to grow and learn, two being willing to take risks, and three being willing to advocate for your program. If you want to read more about resetting your mindset as you head into the new year. I also have a blog post that I think you’ll enjoy. I’ll link that in the show notes.

9:58
When you start making strides in these three areas, you’ll notice that students truly are different because of what you’re doing. And that’s why you’re in this to begin with, right? I’m confident it will remind you of your why and actually refreshed your love for your job. So go ahead and reset yourself. Send me a DM over on Instagram and let me know which one of these three things you’re going to try this month.

10:19
If you liked this episode, be sure to grab that reset for the New Year playlist where you can find more high school counseling conversations episodes to prep you for a new semester in 2024. I know you’ll find them inspiring and motivating as you turn over a new leaf this year. Grab that playlist by going to counselorclique.com/resetplaylist. You’ll hear from me next week, but chances are I’ll either have a baby already or I’ll be on strict baby watch. So stay tuned. Wish me luck.

10:51
Thanks for listening to today’s episode of High School Counseling Conversations. All the links I talked about today can be found in the show notes and also at counselorclique.com/podcast. Be sure to hit follow wherever you listen to your podcast so that you never miss a new episode. Connect with me over on Instagram. Feel free to send me a DM @counselorclique. That’s CLIQUE. I’ll see you next week.