I have been teaching two 4th year modules this semester. Part of the assignment for both included students making a short presentation in front of class-mates. Many of these fourth year students hadn’t done anything like this for 2 years and they were nervous.
However, they did it!
I was really pleased for them. There were different standards in the presentations and some felt they could have done better. I told them to focus on being proud of themselves for having had the courage to stand and deliver!
I suggested they create a success jar or open a success notebook to record their achievement. I started using a success jar in January this year. A number of years ago, I created an email folder for any compliments or praise I received by email. These are useful resources to have to read over in advance of an important meeting or before going to a job interview or even to provide a boost if your energy is low.
Writing this prompted me to review the notes I’ve added to my own success jar. Year to date, I have 24 successes spread across 99 days. This equates to a success almost every 4 days. Many are small things that I might easily have forgotten but I got a lift as I read over them.
Invest in a success jar, you’ll be happy with the return!
Sinead Huskisson 