My general approach to my work is to be positive. However as I am increasingly aware, such positivity is often not popular, and can bring into question whether I am aware of the realities. I am of course aware of the realities and I am aware that positivity can sometimes become unhelpful and even “toxic”. So I have sat down to write this blog Why Positivity?
I want to use this blog to explain myself a bit and give myself a chance to reflect on why I approach my work with positivity. If no one reads this then at the very least this blog writing has given me a chance to think. I also want you to know that I am on a journey with this topic and I am self-reflective on how and why my positivity might not always be helpful.
Choosing positivity
For me, choosing positivity is about choosing to be optimistic, believing that there is always a way forward. This is something I have relied on throughout my career and I still rely on it every day. The challenges I have faced in my work have always been made easier when I think about the context, and then, with hope and optimism, think to the future.
I have faced the same challenges we all face in music teaching – budget cuts, working in isolation, policy changes, instrumental uptake issues, curriculum changes, carousels…the list goes on. Whilst I have been lucky with leadership support, I have had to pull up my socks and work out how to tackle these issues. Have I always been positive, of course not, and my next blog will look at the flip side of this.
But back to why I have chosen positivity. For me, choosing to be positive in the face of all these issues has been my way of working out a way forward. I have looked at where things have worked in the past and then move forward with hope and optimism. The reality is that not everything has worked out well, and I have had my fair share of failure, disasters and low points. I don’t wake up everyday feeling positive and I don’t always see the light at the end of the tunnel.
My default though is to choose to be positive in my work, thinking of ways to solve problems and move things forward. Positive thinking can lead to positive actions.
Supporting others
I completely agree that positivity can become toxic. Telling someone who is in a crisis that they need to “look on the bright-side” is of course not always helpful. My next blog on this topic is going to hold the mirror up to my toxic positivity.
But when I support music teachers I always find that the thing they need is a way forward, a plan, a strategy. Supporting people is about listening to their issues and needs and then offering thoughts, suggestions and ideas. I find that this process is a distinctly positive one.
A teacher might come to me asking how to improve uptake at GCSE, or how to revamp KS3 lessons. Being positive in this conversation is considering the vision of what things could or might be like for them. If they have only 4 students taking GCSE music, what might it look and feel like if 10 opt next year. Starting from this point of vision and hope, we can then look for strategies. These conversations are common in my work and my support role with Music Teachers Association.
My positive approach is often helpful for those who are stuck in situations that are tricky. Whilst the reality might be tough, there are solutions, and they are often found through having a vision. However I can imagine that outside of a personal conversation, a positive tweet for someone in a crisis might not be helpful. I guess the only plus side is that at least they know where to go if they need some ideas. Or maybe they know to avoid talking to me! Who knows, I hope I don’t put people off too much.
Being Realistic
Being positive doesn’t mean I am not realistic. Positivity alone is not going to get my A-level grades up or increase the number of students in my choir. But it is a starting point and a place from which I can grow and develop. As I look ahead to a new term or year, I always think about the highlights that are potentially ahead. What concerts, lessons, events and classes am I looking forward to? What will it be like if I can get a new scheme of work implemented and how I might change student outcomes?
But then I think about the reality of achieving all those things. What will it actually take to prepare the orchestra for the next concert, improve a grade 3 to a 4 or get a student to finish their coursework in time for submission. I am realistic that not everything is going to be easy, successful or indeed fun! Being realistic helps to ensure that I focus my time and effort in the right direction and don’t burn out on the way to my goals.
I like to think that if someone came to be with a similar vision, plan or set of goals, I would be able to help them to be realistic. But I would also hope to be positive with them, not chucking cold water on their red-hot ideas. It would disappointing for someone to approach me for advice and leave feeling hopeless. If I were simply telling them that it will all be great and not offering any ideas, then they might label me “toxically positive”.
Is Negativity any better?
No, it’s not. But before you shoot me down, I do understand that there is a middle ground. But for me, I often chose positivity over negativity. But I actually do agree, that I am guilty of accusing some of being negative when all they are actually doing is being realistic. Presenting the facts on the decline in GCSE numbers is not being negative, it is just stating facts. So I hold my hands up to the fact that my positivity is toxic when I jump on the realists and call them negative. Mark my words, I am completely aware that I have made this mistake and I am committed to change.
I will still aim to share the positives where I can, mainly because I know lots of people like it. But I am looking for a new blend of positivity in 2024. Watch this space!
Negativity vs Reality
Being negative does however get you down. We are surrounded by so much negativity, doom and gloom. Getting a nice dose of positivity from time to time is therefore a good thing. If I stand up to present to music teachers I want to be positive, and I don’t think being negative is always helpful at a conference or talk. It depends on the event of course, and the topic, but I believe that people often need to hear something good. But yes yes, I know, being negative is different to presenting facts. I am learning!
And trust me, I know that for some teachers it is hard to find positivity. If you have just had your hours cut, course removed or role deleted, then you are not going to be in a positive place. When the time comes to look for a way forward though, there has to be something positive out there for everyone otherwise life would simply be hopeless.
Why Positivity?
My own personal reflection is ongoing, but it might be that I have adopted this positive mindset approach and I am scared to let it go. I have sat down and asked myself “Why Positivity?”. Holding on to our values and ideas is much easier than admitting we are wrong and changing our ways. I will be remaining a positive person, but I am committed to viewing negativity and reality in a different way. I don’t think I am wrong in my positivity, but I know I can shape it and benefit.
Being positive has got me a long way in my career and I now share this with others. I want to start conversations by listening and empathising, but move on to vision, hope and positive outcomes. I want to throw in the realities but then look at the solutions and strategies that might avoid the worst case scenario.
If my positivity has frustrated, then that is a shame. I do understand, and I am genuinely sorry. We all have our traits and I guess if one of my mine is positivity then I can accept that. But I also need to accept that there are lots of emotions in the world of teaching and they all combine to make us who we are.
What I hope anyone who reads this knows is that positivity alone won’t deal with the challenges we face in music education. Recruitment, retention, budgets and numbers are not good. I am working with colleagues on ways to tackle this and I am 100% committed to doing all I can. Whilst I could simply focus on my own day job, I am working hard to change this narrative. My passion lies in supporting teachers and the wider sector.
A journey with positivity
I would love to chat to anyone about this topic as I am on a journey of understanding. How can I effectively use my own experiences to help others? My positivity will hopefully at least put a smile on your face. And if you don’t smile at that, then you might at least smile at the knowledge that I have embraced my own need to accept realities. I will also be careful not to be too toxically positive.
Watch this space for my next blog on this topic.
Happy new year, James!
Keep up the positive attitude. It has always worked for me too.
Thank you for all your work for MTA and see you at the convention!
Best wishes
Julian
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Life is a journey of learning and really a good teacher is indeed a willing learner in my world. My own thoughts on the topic are that people can many times need validating before they can hear positivity and solutions. However well intended, it can feel lacking in empathy to have positivity presented when your own current circumstances – as you point out – may be ‘realistically’ pretty bleak. We are all different and respecting one another’s differences is so important. Good luck in all you are striving to do. Happy New Year and thank you for your thoughts here.
Thanks for this. Indeed Karen’s point about validation is, I have come to realise embarrassingly for me, very powerful. But I find I validate myself more often than not and that is actually enough. Then with that spring in my step I move on with realism – I can’t change that, so how can I live with it/work with it or I can tweek that, so how long might that take to that’s working or not working. I know I don’t present positively outwardly though. I have to say it how it is. And that is wearing on others. But that doesn’t stop me moving forward with positive steps. I think it is an offloading thing. Look at this – we’re all reflecting and learning!
Very thought provoking and it’s impressive you are being vulnerable, showing and sharing your thinking and self-awareness on how you show up in front of others, whatever the topic. I’m not in the education sector but as well as knowing you well, am married to a teacher, and both my parents are (long) retired teachers. Oh, and I’m a parent of two who have both moved through the system to post grad level.
In the corporate world staying still means you will lose out to competitors or even your colleagues. Thus, change is part of life and I say having a positive attitude is important. In my organisation we even have a behaviour called the “power of possibilities” which means both being positive and willing to try things and adjust when some of those things don’t go as well as one would hope.
One of my life lessons is to take time to meet people where they are – like your empathising point – which helps you understand what approach to take when talking about change. People need the “correct” sort of engagement to enable them to see what possibilities are open to them. And that it’s good to have a positive attitude as they consider their options. I can fully agree that a crass approach around positivity to someone who is stuck or dejected would not help anyone.
I wish you well in your journey on this topic. I’d hope even you, James, should be encouraged that your positive approach is the right one and will continue to pay dividends (or however you measure yourself in your sector!) in the work you do.
Thank you again for this thought-provoking blog.
Hi James, Happy New Year! Yeh, you’re spot on in this blog post! I always try to see the positive in situations, celebrate people’s strengths, be cheerful (if appropriate!). I don’t always succeed of course, but that’s my aim. Great article, well done. I also like this Positive Mindset article, may be of interest to your blog readers. https://welldoing.org/article/importance-positive-mindset