I have realized something very important in the three years that I've been a business owner, and the 11 years that I've been teaching.  

I have the power to create my own momentum.    

You have that power too.

So many teachers get bogged down with the negative momentum, and don't see the importance of pushing back and creating positive momentum for themselves.

What do I mean?

This past week, I had two children who I believe I might lose as customers.  Both had disciplinary problems this week.  I had to have two very serious discussions with two very disappointed parents.  

The thought of losing two customers  concerned me a great deal.  It had a snowball effect... maybe others will want to drop out, after they hear that these two students dropped out.  Will I be able to afford this business, if the trend continues, etc.

Finally I realized that instead of wasting my energy stressing myself out, I'd make some phone calls to parents to congratulate their children on the little successes that they had this week.

I can probably imagine that someone reading this post may say to themselves, "yeah, but is that genuine, making those phone calls, as a result of you being stressed out about dropouts?"  My answer is a resounding YES.  

My eyes were blinded for a few days with the all consuming worry of losing customers, but as soon as I wiped them clear and saw all of the positive things that other students in my classes were acheiving, I realized that I was wallowing for no reason, and instead should have been celebrating the good, instead of dwelling on the "not-so-good".

We can ALL create our own momentum.  

Those eight phone calls that I made to parents this evening, regarding children who did a good job today in my lessons, will create positive momentum for me, as well as for their families.  I consider the dinner table tonight, when my student's mother shares the nice news they heard from their teacher.  I consider the father's pat on the back when he hears from his wife that their son paid attention today, and answered a question in perfect English.  I consider the shining child's face, when he hears his parents' doting on him.

Next time you get stressed about a difficult sitution, or a difficult student, deal with it quickly make the difficult phone call, and then consider celebrating your successes by calling a different family, a family of a studnet who did well that day in your lesson.  

You will then see just how easy it is to create your own momentum.