tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post5671088032715225596..comments2023-10-17T00:39:13.040+02:00Comments on TheTeacherJames: Just Say Yestheteacherjameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07039423615613916526noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-15652077266671293042012-10-31T13:08:53.264+01:002012-10-31T13:08:53.264+01:00Dear Ratna,
Many thanks for your comment. I'm...Dear Ratna,<br /><br />Many thanks for your comment. I'm really happy to hear that I was able to help you and congratulations on saying yes. <br /><br />All the best, Jameshf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-70259420325602761872012-10-30T14:31:57.695+01:002012-10-30T14:31:57.695+01:00Dear James,
You have no idea how much this post h...Dear James,<br /><br />You have no idea how much this post has influenced my thoughts and actions in the past few days. I've said yes to two things, and am so happy I did. I never knew that I could do it. But I did, and it has helped me reaffirm my beliefs about my capabilities.:) Thank you very much!ratnahttp://ratnavathy.posterous.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-70645275395678185822012-08-08T13:54:16.973+02:002012-08-08T13:54:16.973+02:00I'm glad to hear it Tania, and good luck with ...I'm glad to hear it Tania, and good luck with them in the future!hf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-34739980042363251062012-08-08T08:00:16.311+02:002012-08-08T08:00:16.311+02:00Thank you for this post:) And yes to every point. ...Thank you for this post:) And yes to every point. Glad to say I have been doing many of them for a while :)Tania Bugaevanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-86242249732274473842012-05-16T11:24:22.256+02:002012-05-16T11:24:22.256+02:00Thanks Ken, that's a wonderful example of the ...Thanks Ken, that's a wonderful example of the power of yes. I know from reading your blog just what an important part of your life the theatre group was, so if people reading this could experience only ten percent of that, it'll be more than worth it.<br /><br />You mention two really important issues - time and money. I'm not advocating blindly saying yes to absolutely everything - that wouldn't be very rational of me! It's important that people find a balance that suits their lifestyles. And as for money, well we all need it, but in doing these kind of community activities we receive a reward far greater than cold hard cash.<br /><br />So as you say "What have you go to lose?" :-)hf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-54413074101707823382012-05-16T11:14:54.980+02:002012-05-16T11:14:54.980+02:00Thanks Steve, I really appreciate your honest comm...Thanks Steve, I really appreciate your honest comment. Like I said, you don't have to say yes to all of the list and there are probably things specific to you that you could add. The point is that it's all about attitude and embracing opportunity when it comes your way. As we can see from your list, you're are already doing that to a large extent, so great job and keep it up!hf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-12760737376777452362012-05-16T11:10:33.130+02:002012-05-16T11:10:33.130+02:00Thanks for your comment and good luck with saying ...Thanks for your comment and good luck with saying yes!hf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-5509914292754104192012-05-16T11:09:58.368+02:002012-05-16T11:09:58.368+02:00Thanks Mieke for your kind words. As with many peo...Thanks Mieke for your kind words. As with many people in our PLN, whenever you say yes, I can't help but be impressed by the results. I just hope you can keep saying yes so we can all benefit from what you do.<br /><br />See you soon :-)hf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-84981875666434832682012-05-14T16:45:34.755+02:002012-05-14T16:45:34.755+02:00James, your attitude of Just Say Yes is one that w...James, your attitude of Just Say Yes is one that we ELT old-timers can really relate to. When the industry as we know it was young, and particularly when International House founder John Haycraft had one of his brilliant but batty brilliant ideas, someone was always saying: 'Fancy doing X? What have you go to lose?' It was this way that John persuaded us to get a touring theatre group together for a tour to Germany. 'Three months preparation, two weeks on tour, what have you got to lose?'<br /><br />Twenty-nine years later, we stopped touring.<br /><br />This is the only possible downside of saying 'yes' - whatever the project is just may take over your life.<br /><br />But I think your attitude is even more pertinent and essential these days, when everyone seems to ask about money first and think about the work second.<br /><br />So if a someone asks you if you want to do something completely batty, just say 'YES!' <br /><br />What have you go to lose?Ken Wilsonhttp://kenwilsonelt.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-4294843433800865552012-05-13T09:35:10.449+02:002012-05-13T09:35:10.449+02:00It looks like I'm not the only person that thi...It looks like I'm not the only person that this post struck a chord with. I’d read Yes Man and occasionally wondered what it would be like to say yes to (almost) everything. Not saying that I’m going to say yes to everything, but will or do say yes to the following:<br /><br />1. I already do this. Sort of. I don’t write about teaching per se, but use the blog to share activities for class. Can’t see myself starting another one, but yes to one day writing about what happens in class rather than just uploading teacher’s notes.<br /><br />2. After saying for ages that I was going to take part in ELTchat, I finally took the plunge at the end of March, and finished the chat by volunteering to write the summary. Have taken part a few times since then, in the loosest sense of take part - I still find myself two steps behind the conversation, staring at the screen and ending up as a lurker. So, yes to less lurking and more participating.<br /><br />3. Whenever I can, I do.<br /><br />4. What Ceci said.<br /><br />5.Apart from following Stephen Fry, I use Twitter almost exclusively for professional development. As for Facebook, I may take Nick Robinson’s advice in this post, http://nickrobinsonelt.com/2012/04/19/building-your-platform/. So probably yes to setting up a FB account for everything ELT so as not to swamp the non-ELTers with stuff about teaching. <br /><br />6. Yes (but not a blind, unthinking yes......)<br /><br />7. I read lots of ELT blogs, and yes to reading more. Bit rubbish at commenting, though, but if I’ve retweeted someone’s blog post on Twitter, I’ve read it and enjoyed it for one reason or another. <br /><br />8. I recently went on a methodology book spree, and with a 45-minute train journey to and from work, I have no excuse not to read. So yes to organizing my travel time more productively.... ie spending less time watching TV series and YouTube videos while convincing myself that I’m looking for material for class.<br /><br />9. Yes. <br /><br />10. Ask me this time next year, and if I haven’t, feel free to call me shifty! That said, there’s also a lot to be said for knowing when to say no without going on a guilt trip. <br /><br />Thanks for an inspiring post, James, and congratulations on everything you’ve achieved from saying yes.Stevehttp://allatc.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-24623459104846400362012-05-13T08:29:02.241+02:002012-05-13T08:29:02.241+02:00i like ur writing James
hmm...i think i'll try...i like ur writing James<br />hmm...i think i'll try and start to say yes to all those 10 questions u asked. <br /><br />keep saying yes then James :)<br /><br />trymananoellangAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-58816044302943774092012-05-13T02:19:33.914+02:002012-05-13T02:19:33.914+02:00James,
What a great and very personal post. Readi...James,<br /><br />What a great and very personal post. Reading it I thought: this is indeed what sums up the teacher James.<br />And do you see that your attitude of saying yes has inspired and involved others who, in turn, find the courage to say yes...<br />The first presentation, starting a kind of blog, writing a guest post for your blog, saying yes to be interviewed ... and you know there are still one or two things on my to do list;-)<br /><br />For my students and colleagues I think I have always been a yes person but I often lack the confidence to step out of the comfort zone when it comes to personal development. Blame it maybe on the respect and admiration I feel for many of my PLN people. There are some awesome teachers/educators/bloggers out there ;-)<br /><br />It is just great I met you on Twitter and it's wonderful that you live just round the corner so to speak. It is a privilege to have you in my PLN and to work with you. <br />Thank you for your kind words, for inspiration, for your help and for believing in me.<br /><br />See you soon I hope. Yes?:-)<br /><br />MiekeMieke Kenishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03281774034185824693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-39729020028815690482012-05-12T19:14:35.745+02:002012-05-12T19:14:35.745+02:00Thanks Chiew, it's always good to have someone...Thanks Chiew, it's always good to have someone prepared to question what you're saying and I welcome it.<br /><br />I don't think you are disagreeing with me though. Of course, I acknowledge that there are external influences which might stop you from reaching whatever objectives you've set for yourself (and I would argue there's a big difference between karma and luck on one hand, and coincidence on the other). Normally, in my experience, it's other people. Or it could be your own shortcomings whether that's ability or more likely a lack of confidence. I wouldn't dare to suggest that just by saying yes your every dream will come true.<br /><br />However, and this is really the point of the post, is that without saying yes, nothing will happen to you. To use your metaphor, life is indeed a set of complex streams and rivers, but if you just sit on the side watching the current, life and its possibilities will pass you by. You've got to jump in, get wet and see what happens. You might end up in the sea or somewhere else, but I'd rather take the risk and enjoy the journey than do nothing.hf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-44426540976015508542012-05-12T18:40:14.247+02:002012-05-12T18:40:14.247+02:00I'm a yes man, too, but, I hate to be the part...I'm a yes man, too, but, I hate to be the party pooper, I believe it can work both ways. Call it luck, coincidence, karma, whatever, it exists, and you're not the one who makes it. Not always. It may be a greater force. It may be the way the cookie crumbles. C'est la vie. Que será será.<br /><br />It could be that intelligence, logic, and other personal qualities come into the equation when saying yes or no. Maybe.<br /><br />Some people "make" it; some don't.<br /><br />As I've always said, life is a complex system of rivers with many streams, each of which leads to more complex turnings. You may end up in the sea... or you may not.Chiewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10186336034760631486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-27350013579558846232012-05-12T17:56:07.353+02:002012-05-12T17:56:07.353+02:00Thank you Elky for your fascinating comment. I fin...Thank you Elky for your fascinating comment. I find it very interesting that you have looked at this from a leadership position. It's true that the 'leaders' of this online community of teachers, some of whom have commented above, have given many of us opportunities, big or small, to try new things and become better teachers. It's through their actions that a new generation of leaders will then do the same and perpetuate the system. As you point out, this support system is vital and necessary.hf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-72402955598219720442012-05-12T17:50:48.189+02:002012-05-12T17:50:48.189+02:00Thanks Ceci for that wonderful comment. "Gent...Thanks Ceci for that wonderful comment. "Gentileza gera gentileza", wow, that guy is incredible. I haven't heard of him before but his story is fascinating, thanks for sharing it with me.<br /><br />Knowing you, it doesn't surprise me to see that you're an active user of the word "yes". I just hope this post can reach some people who are close to the tipping point, where they can go from hanging back into taking chances and trying new things. And like me, they'll have you as one of their inspirations.hf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-68220527102544472832012-05-12T17:32:58.897+02:002012-05-12T17:32:58.897+02:00Thanks Icha, I know I can always rely on you for p...Thanks Icha, I know I can always rely on you for positivity!hf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-43438503519737732412012-05-12T14:59:07.468+02:002012-05-12T14:59:07.468+02:00Thanks for this thoughtful post. Your message is s...Thanks for this thoughtful post. Your message is simple but a vitally important one to share, as are the specific details of how you reached the point of being a 'knowledge leader'. Without the 'say yes' mindset you've just exemplified, we would have no leaders to speak of at all. One of the things true leaders do is of course to recognise those who have opportunities but aren't yet 'saying yes' to them and give them the support/guidance/encouragement they need to do so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-48367015420438935082012-05-12T06:16:16.812+02:002012-05-12T06:16:16.812+02:00Fantastic post and just the attitude we need aroun...Fantastic post and just the attitude we need around, James. There's a well known saying in Brazil that is "Gentileza gera gentileza" (Kindness generates kindness), originally painted all over pillars of a flyover in Rio de Janeiro by a man known as profeta gentileza (or Prophet Kindness). You can learn more about him and his work here: http://uclconversationsonconservation.blogspot.com.br/2012/04/kindness-generates-kindness.html. I have always been a firm believer in that, and I try my best to follow that. If more people tried to be more kind and good to others we would have a much better world.<br /><br />When someone asks me for a favor or needs help I always make an effort to help, even if it means more work to me. And this can be anything: substituting, revising a text, sitting down to explain how to use an online resource, preparing an activity... It's such a nice feeling, the one you get after knowing you helped someone! And like you said, sometimes it doesn't take more than 5 minutes! However, we live in very individualistic times and, as Tyson pointed out many people think we are crazy for being like this and adding on to an already heavy load we as teachers, have. I don't care. Thanks for such a great post.... Let's spread the idea around! (though I have the distinctive feeling there are many of us in the PLN :-))<br /><br />Keep saying YES, James :-)<br /><br />Beijo,<br /><br />CeciAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-28110507725332103722012-05-12T05:36:58.669+02:002012-05-12T05:36:58.669+02:00Yes yes yes to all James!
Thanks for this and for ...Yes yes yes to all James!<br />Thanks for this and for being one of my PLN!<br />Aza aza positivity!<br /><br />Icha sarwonoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-63640230649891449782012-05-11T23:20:10.238+02:002012-05-11T23:20:10.238+02:00Thank you Naomi and good luck with your new secret...Thank you Naomi and good luck with your new secret, whatever that may be!hf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-7635550327565456202012-05-11T23:19:09.517+02:002012-05-11T23:19:09.517+02:00A big thank you Marisa, especially as you are one ...A big thank you Marisa, especially as you are one of the people that gives the rest of us opportunities to try new things. You are an example for all of us, and the pleasure is all mine.hf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-82682186108847492622012-05-11T23:15:46.486+02:002012-05-11T23:15:46.486+02:00Thanks Phil for your fantastic comment! From the l...Thanks Phil for your fantastic comment! From the looks of things you've already started saying yes and the benefits are obvious. I guess all I have to say to you is that it's been great adding you to my PLN and keep on going!!hf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-67841674164613392012012-05-11T23:12:14.144+02:002012-05-11T23:12:14.144+02:00Thanks Adam, I've seen a few TED talks on this...Thanks Adam, I've seen a few TED talks on this subject but not this one. I'll be watching this really soon...hf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9137571121301323044.post-64100104564320321942012-05-11T23:10:34.125+02:002012-05-11T23:10:34.125+02:00Absolutely Tyson, you are one of many examples I c...Absolutely Tyson, you are one of many examples I could point to as evidence. Keep going, we love what you do!hf,c,.jgvkhbj,.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13450893353483592561noreply@blogger.com