A little nugget I read once about Teacher Positivity that has always stuck with me:

You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time around.

Who are those 5?  (kiddos don’t count)

For some of us, it might be our partner, friends, or other members of our family, BUT because we spend A LOT of our time at work, there is a good chance some of those 5 are your coworkers.

Think about it…….

Now consider, are you happy with being the average of those 5? 

...their career

...their mindset

...their habits

...their hobbies

...their positivity

Is that what you want to cultivate in your own life? 

If the answer is no, it’s a good time to make some changes.

If the answer is no, AND part of the reason is that some of your coworkers are negatively affecting that average, let’s chat.

A quick list of things to do to not let coworkers negative energy affect you:

SET BOUNDARIES

What are some boundaries you might need to set in place? Here are some of mine:

• Say no to MOST extra responsibilities outside of work (if it’s not a HELL YES, it’s a no, is my motto)
• Don’t talk badly about any teacher, student, parent, or coworker at work (the exception might be if you have a trusted coworker friend to vent to, but there is no need to vent to a ROOM of people)
• Be okay with feeling your feels and leaning on other teachers for support, but don’t let your 30-minute lunch period be a cesspool of complaints and negativity when it’s the main time during your work-day you get to converse with other adults 
• Spend time with coworkers outside of work if you WANT to and if you feel like it fills your cup, but not out of obligation

EXCUSE YOURSELF FROM THE CONVERSATION

As I said above, I don’t really enjoy talking negatively about my students or coworkers, so if I hear it happening repeatedly in my vicinity, I feel okay to excuse myself. 

If lunch in the teacher’s lounge turns into a spiraling vortex of negativity, I feel free to eat in my room that day.

If someone wants to gossip with me about someone else, I don’t engage.

If there are people that engage in gossip in drama often, I don’t spend a lot of time with them if I have a choice.

Am I perfect at these things? NO. BUT, the grace of allowing me to remove myself from something that can cause more negativity in my life or work is a gift of self-care.

It doesn’t mean it’s a situation you will NEVER find yourself in (there is drama in every workspace), but you CAN try to minimize it.

RAISE YOUR VIBRATION

If you feel dragged into workplace drama, with your coworkers, parents, students….(I know this can be easy to do), try to rise above. 

Keep in perspective what is IMPORTANT to you about your work (most likely: the students). 

Surround yourself with positive people OUTSIDE your workplace.

Hope some of these mindset shifts were helpful. You don’t need to be positive all the time, it’s okay to feel your feelings OF COURSE, and find support in your coworkers. But YOU get to set the temperature of your day, so be conscious of who you are letting control the thermostat.