I Can Statements - what would this look like at this time of year?

Schools often use ‘I can’ statements as signposts for learning. These are positive statements that support students to know the small steps that they have achieved. 

This stimulated some further thinking… what do ‘I Can’ statements look like for us at this time of year….

I can get my reports done

I can get my data in 

I can support an end-of-year event 

I can get through to the end of the term.  

Let’s take a step back -

How about the deeply personal or personable ones… the statements that have the ability to make a significant difference to yourself and others.

I can look after my own well-being 

I can look after the well-being of others in my team.  

What could it look like if we wrote some ‘I can’ statements for managing our own wellbeing and contributing to the wellbeing and culture of our team? What would it look like for you?

I can make a plan to look after my own wellbeing:

Add in your own ‘I can’ statements - after all, what you can manage is deeply personal for each of us 

• I can choose my attitude

• I can focus for xxx of time and then have give my brain a break

• I can have a plan in place for my well being

Considerations might include:

• Sleep 

• Diet

• Exercise

• Boundaries

• Balance = Responsibility, Accountability + Time for the things that give me joy  

• Gratitude practice 

• Looking for ‘the good’ in every day

When we feel good our brains release ‘feel good’ chemicals - the fab four… serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins.  Studies into neurobiology have found that these chemicals are activated at a higher level when you do something good for someone else. Through a series of fMRI neuroimaging tests, research suggests that our brains feel more rewarded for selflessness and giving.  Therefore there are ultimately greater benefits to giving than receiving.  In terms of developing and supporting the wellbeing of yourself and others it’s a win:win.  Hence the reason to explicitly plan for how you can support the wellbeing of others in your team. 

Doing something selfless fully supports self - this is great news for leaders who are promoting a team approach to wellbeing.   

What might your plan be?  I can contribute to the wellbeing of others through: 

• I can share a small piece of positivity with someone every day

• I can support others to celebrate their successes.

So what’s your plan?