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Joel: This. Just. Isn’t. Working. No, today we are not talking about that classic breakup line. We’re talking about those real moments in our teaching professions when we need to name that something isn’t not working and figure out how to advocate for ourselves.

Jessie: We will be showing you 4 Steps to Effectively Advocate for Yourself so that you can have radically candid conversations with your colleagues, your administrators, yourself, or really anyone. It’s all about being effective and not getting or staying stuck in the It’s-Not-Working Death Trot.

Joel: Oh, the It’s-Not-Working Death Trot. I’ve been there. You’re technically moving but you know you are going nowhere. Well Marigolds, no more. Let’s get to the podcast and the action! Welcome to today’s episode on 4 Steps to Effectively Advocate for Yourself.

4 Steps To Effectively Advocate For Yourself

Jessie: Joel, you mentioned the analogy of the This-Isn’t-Working Death Trot. Dig into that a little bit for us.

• When have YOU found yourself in the This-Isn’t-Working Death Trot?
• How did you know you were in the This-Isn’t-Working Death Trot?
• Why was it important for you to learn how to effectively advocate for yourself?

>> Click here to listen to our responses on the podcast.

Joel: Thank you, Jessie! What we just did – reflecting and realizing when you are in that This-Isn’t-Working Death Trot needs to happen FIRST before you start to effectively advocate for yourself. Like we say all the time on this podcast, start with your why. When you are aware of the why, it is so much easier to actually do the work because you can see how important it is to actually do the work!

Now Jessie, let’s get to the 4 Steps to Effectively Advocate for Yourself. We will share a step. We will share what that step looks like for each of us. And, we will share WHY we put that on our Marigold Force list!

1. This is what I’ve/we’ve tried​
2. Here’s the problem​
3. Here are potential solutions​
4. Clarify the next steps (Get specific. Name names. Name timeframes.)​

>> Click here to listen to these steps and a BONUS tip!

Call To Action

Jessie: Now Marigolds, it’s time for your action step. Before you do anything, make sure you actually know that something that is in your head or heart is worth advocating for. (It’s okay to be angry and frustrated! It’s impossible to advocate for everything.) Once you know that something isn’t working, map out the 4 steps with specifics to your situation. Write down what you’ve tried. Write down where the problem is. Write down potential solutions. And finally, write down some next steps by getting specific, naming names, and naming timeframes.

Joel: These notes are so important to help you draft the hard and important conversation you need to have to advocate for yourself with others. It’s okay to practice this conversation with another Marigold you trust. It’s also okay to USE YOUR NOTES when you are having these hard and important conversations. Advocating for yourself takes practice.

Jessie: Write and map out your personal steps to effectively advocating for yourself. Do this now.

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All the Good Stuff

• 6 Steps To A Killer Teacher Workflow (free guide)
• Joel’s Inspiration: Flower Box (100 Postcards by 10 Artists)
• Jessie’s Inspiration: Proper (boutique shop MPLS)