All posts by : Faye Papas

Procrastination is the act of delaying or putting off tasks until the last minute or beyond their deadline. It’s not just a time management problem. According to the researchers, it is the lack of self -regulation that leads us to act unreasonably. We postpone things, although we know that this delay will lead to negative consequences and high levels of stress.

Regardless of whether it is due to a state of mental health (depression, anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc.) or learning difficulty (ADHD etc) there are strategies and ways that can help improve or even eliminate.

1. Reconnect with your vision/ultimate goal. Ask yourself:

a. What is my vision/ultimate goal?

b. How do I hold my vision/target visible when I am stuck?

c. Which is my “why”? Why do I do what I do?

2. Put 15 minutes on the timer and start

a. What is one thing I can start doing in 15 minutes?

b. Where is my timer?

3. Create ways of accountability

a. Who could help me better, encourage and support me to do it for sure and within the time required?

b. Would I consider participating in group coaching to get help?

4. Break it into pieces

a. Which will be the first step?

b. Which are the larger and smaller pieces?

c. What could I start with or which one could I complete on the 15 -minute “window” I have today?

5. Work at the time of the day you feel at your best.

a. What time of the day is my best?

b. Which is the task I would like to get off my list?

6. Clear the chaos to have room for the important ones.

a. What do I have to remove from the list to give prominence to the project?

b. Which points could I make clear in 15 minutes?

c. How much space would this give me?

7. Plan it out

a. How long will it take me?

b. Do I spend more time avoiding doing than it would actually take me to do it?

c. When can I do it? Write it down! Now!

8. Focus on your own ¨why¨.

a. Why is it important to complete it?

b. Which of my needs will it satisfy?

c. Will it close a cycle? Will it help me move on, to something else? What else?

Choose a strategy to start experimenting and begin!

Like scaffolding in buildings, this technique provides students with support and a learning framework as they “build” and strengthen their understanding.

When they reach the desired level of understanding or knowledge, the teacher or caregiver takes a step back and gradually removes the help.

The operating model is:

I do, we do, you do

I do: The teacher/caregiver shows/demonstrates

We do: He guides and works with the student as they discover their own ways and techniques

You do: Steps aside as student takes over

Benefits

• Improves the ability to memorize new information
• Helps connect fundamental knowledge with new concepts
• Motivates students in learning and monitoring their progress
• Autonomy and independence in class
• Bridges their gaps in traditionally challenging lessons
• Reduces frustration, confusion and negative thoughts about themselves
• Better communication of students – teachers
• Allows productive failure and encourages asking for help
• Organized classes

In practice

1. Separate new lessons into distinct sections
2. Create tasks for each section
3. Guide students through each exercise before they start
4. Explain the purpose or utility of the lesson/work (why do I need to know?)
5. Divide the students into groups to discuss the work, plan and support each other (if you teach in class)
6. Give tips or models of integrated work so they can follow/measure their progress
7. Presentation of tasks for expressing thoughts and/or evaluate to measure understanding

You may find it difficult to introduce it to your routine but all it takes is a little time. Students work much better and faster when there is a routine. So, as soon as the process gets into the daily routine it will become easier and easier and in a very short time you will all enjoy independence and inspiration in the classroom or at home!

It supports pupils and students to build the future they desire and to tap into the internal and external skills they need to overcome stress and frustration and succeed academically.

Most students pursue some academic education because they <have to> and not because they want to. Learning takes conscious effort and dedication if we want it to be fulfilling and successful. With academic coaching students take advantage of their internal and external abilities to manage and get rid of stress, frustration and study the subject they really want and in which they will become successful professionally.

Its aim is to help pupils and students:

• explore how they approach learning and education/training
• discover their strengths
• seek and investigate opportunities
• develop skills and strategies to improve their efficiency
• reduce toxic stress
• discover and implement the best way to prepare for their tasks
• learn in the best way for themselves
• start building constructive habits

What are the benefits?

• They regain confidence and motivation
• They improve their performance
• Organization
• They know themselves better
• They learn strategies useful for all areas of their lives

 Academic coaching helps students to improve their academic understanding which leads to specially designed and effective strategies. Every small success builds confidence and motivation along the way.
We work on time management and prioritization, effective goal setting and striving for progress.

It is therefore helpful in all areas of life.

Happy teachers, better students.

Teachers are mentors, leaders, and highly functional individuals. Teachers are also particularly prone to work-life inbalance, stress, mental and emotional strain, negativity, and an overly busy schedule.

All of the above puts teachers in a vicious cycle of struggling to survive. I know this all too well because I have been there.

Educator Life Coaching can help teachers identify areas that need tweaking, especially in their attitude/mindset and mental focus, so that they can transform the way they teach and, most importantly, the way they live.

What we work on:
•Work-life balance
•Reducing stress and discomfort
•Prioritizing self-care
•Finding peace within the mindset and tensions of the school environment
•Managing overload
•Organization and maintaining it
•Developing leadership skills

What are the benefits?

• You rediscover your role as an educator
• Managing stress
• Improving effectiveness
• Regaining job satisfaction
• Establishing healthy boundaries
• Discovering your own approach to teaching and your life
• Maximizing your strengths
• Effectiveness in your communication

Get out of survival mode and into healthy growth mode.

Happy teachers, better students.

Cultivates support, understanding and development to resolve children’s problems and improve overall family functioning.

Parent Coaching is a type of therapy where parents and guardians learn how to use specific skills and strategies to deal with challenges, behavioral difficulties and/or support their children in their development process.

The coach has expertise in evidence-based strategies for dealing with a wide range of challenges. The expert in your family and your child is still you. The coach works with you to help you see the bigger picture and gain a neutral perspective, implement personalized strategies and identify, solve problems that arise and adapt along the way.

Its aim is:

• Set and enforce house rules effectively
• Be able to provide age-appropriate support to children’s development with the aim of their gradual and healthy independence.
• Sleep setting
• Be able to manage their refusal to go to school or do their homework
• Overcome your fears and anxieties
• Create an environment of trust and communication
• Improve your relationship with children

What issues can it help manage?

• Issues of transition (marriage, death, adoption, etc.) or similar changes
• More general behavioral issues
• Learning disabilities (ADHD, dyslexia, etc.)
• Suicidal ideation, attempt
• Adolescent addictions
• Parents in recovery
• Issues of sexuality and sexual preferences
• Difficult conversations
• Culture anxiety
• New parents
• Screen issues
• Eating disorders
• Appropriate ways of communication

 Parent coaching fosters support, understanding, and growth to resolve children’s issues and improve overall family functioning. If you’re struggling with parenting, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are experts who can support you.

What is Youth Life Coaching?
Youth with self-concept, conscientious school performance, and positive social behavior.

Faye Papas 
Associate Certified Coach
Life, Youth & Education coach

Reading time 2.30’

All too often we are told “You will only succeed when you overcome your fear!” or something similar. Let me tell you something you may have already figured out. IT’S A LIE!

The expression “overcoming one΄s fears” is unrealistic, as fear is hardwired to our body and its functions. How can one “overcome” one΄s body?

Perhaps “managing one΄s fears” is the most accurate and true expression we can use.

How does the fear system work, very briefly?

Our brains are constantly evolving to help us, over the millions of years in human species evolution, survive countless threats. And it continues to do so!

When the brain perceives a threat, the basic fear system of our brain is automatically activated and our body is instructed to fight, flight/flee or freeze/fawn. This is our body’s response to the perception of a threat, and it is a process over which we have no control.

Simply put, our brain activates our body to protect us.

This whole process is very useful and necessary. Imagine being on the edge of a cliff and your brain didn’t have this “tool” called fear to trigger you. You would fall off the cliff without any conscious thought.

So, fear is your friend! Then why do you often feel it΄s your enemy?

Of course, fear is your friend when you are faced with a clear threat and you are able to distinctly see that threat for what it really is.

When can fear become your enemy?

When it is activated by an invisible threat (sourcing from an idea, thought, behavior) which, however, arises from the way you perceive things, it overwhelms you and leaves no room for dreams, reasoning and organizing the next step.

Can you control how you perceive events and the environment?

Yes and no…

You can’t control or overcome fear, but you can control your perspective on things.

Is what you perceive as a threat a real one? Is your fear real? Or is it just a concern that can be turned into a helpful tool? A concern you can use to make yourself more effective, to fulfill your dreams.

How you perceive things has to do with your beliefs. Beliefs are the idea we have of ourselves, our capabilities, the environment, life in general and they influence how we interpret our experiences.

Think of beliefs as sunglasses. Everyone wears a different shade, which results in a different view of the world.

Want to use fear to your advantage and befriend it? Recognize and explore your limiting beliefs.

To recognize limiting beliefs, think about how they start:

1. With our acceptance of the things we are told

2. With the experiences we gain as we grow and develop

By definition we seek to confirm our own truths and tend to ignore or overlook evidence that proves us wrong.

So next time you feel overwhelmed by your fears and find yourself choosing them over your dreams and action, ask yourself:

•What if I’m wrong? What if things didn’t happen that way?

•How does this belief of mine serves/helps me?

•What other possible reasons could have influenced the situation?

•How sure am I that things are the way I think?

•Has anyone else been in this type of situation before or am I the only one who has ever been in this? (Of course the answer is always no I’m not the only one)

•If the same situation has been faced by others, what prevents me from facing it too?

•What steps do I need to take to proceed?

Remember that we manage fear. We don’t overcome it.

There is no other side of fear. Our fears are part of us and as a result they are always with us.

A coach can help you identify your limiting beliefs and understand where they come from. With their questions, like the ones above, they help you prioritize and understand your fears, learn from them and move forward with them.