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The Social emotional performance blog

My Brand: The Science of Turning Character into Impact
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

My Brand: The Science of Turning Character into Impact

The My Brand Program helps students uncover their unique character strengths and learn how to live them. Built on neuroscience and positive psychology, it empowers young people to define who they are, align with what matters most and turn their strengths into meaningful action. Grounded in evidence and guided by emotional intelligence, My Brand transforms identity development into a practical, measurable and deeply human learning experience.

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Why Gratitude Isn’t a Once-A-Year Affair
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

Why Gratitude Isn’t a Once-A-Year Affair

Discover why genuine gratitude matters more than one-off appreciation days. This emotionally intelligent article explores neuroscience-backed research showing that daily, authentic recognition builds stronger relationships, reduces stress, and supports teacher and workplace wellbeing. Learn how consistent gratitude, rather than token gestures on special occasions like World Teachers’ Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Valentine’s Day, create real connection and lasting impact.

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Why Does It Feel Like Everyone Has ADHD Now?
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

Why Does It Feel Like Everyone Has ADHD Now?

If it feels like everyone’s getting diagnosed with something lately, you’re not alone. From school staffrooms to family group chats, that question keeps circling: “Was ADHD always this common or are we just labelling normal behaviour?”

It’s a fair question, but one that deserves a calm, evidence-based answer.

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Build Trust and Connection With This Simple Emotionally Intelligent Skill.
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

Build Trust and Connection With This Simple Emotionally Intelligent Skill.

Learn how naming emotions builds trust and connection across every stage of life. Backed by neuroscience, this article from Not Just A Teacher Education shows practical strategies for toddlers, children, teens, and adults to move from emotional chaos to calm. Discover how simple, accurate language can strengthen relationships, foster resilience, and grow emotional intelligence in daily life.

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How To Save Wellbeing In Education
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

How To Save Wellbeing In Education

Real wellbeing is not built on token gestures. It is built on trust, respect and systemic change. At Not Just A Teacher Education, we explore how emotional intelligence and neuroscience can reshape school culture so teachers are valued as people first. From flexible use of time to protecting personal boundaries, this article offers practical, research-backed strategies that reduce burnout, foster kindness and give educators their lives back.

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The Future of Education Is Emotionally Intelligent… Or It Isn’t a Future at All
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

The Future of Education Is Emotionally Intelligent… Or It Isn’t a Future at All

Discover the emotionally intelligent roadmap for tomorrow’s education. This humanised, research‑based article explores seven non‑negotiable shifts from redefining success to scheduling aligned with adolescent brain rhythms, embedding social‑emotional learning, protecting teacher wellbeing, empowering real student voice, building human skills for the future of work and teaching emotional vocabulary from early years.

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15 Practical Ways to Regain Control Without Adding to Your To-Do List
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

15 Practical Ways to Regain Control Without Adding to Your To-Do List

Feeling overwhelmed by behaviour, curriculum demands, and burnout? This relatable guide helps teachers take back control with emotionally intelligent strategies grounded in neuroscience – without adding to your workload. From boundary setting to realistic wellbeing tools, it's support that actually works.

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Who Are You Becoming?
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

Who Are You Becoming?

It sounds harmless, but asking young people what they want to be puts pressure on them to name a role before they know who they are. It can create stress, comparison and false confidence. We reward answers that sound clear, like "I want to be a lawyer" or "I want to run my own business", but we rarely unpack what’s driving those choices.

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Small Moments, Big Connections
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

Small Moments, Big Connections

Learn how to build meaningful relationships through simple, everyday interactions called Opportunities to Connect. This article explores proven ways to strengthen emotional intelligence, deepen trust and improve wellbeing in families, friendships, relationships and workplaces, without adding to your to-do list.

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This one is for the boys
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

This one is for the boys

Help your teenage son unlock a surprising secret to making real connections. Discover how emotional intelligence can genuinely transform his relationships and boost his confidence in ways you wouldn’t expect.

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Why the Pursuit of Happiness is Making You Miserable
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

Why the Pursuit of Happiness is Making You Miserable

Chasing happiness can leave you feeling empty. Learn why embracing all emotions through emotional intelligence leads to greater resilience, fulfilment and mental well-being. Explore the science behind fleeting happiness, the impact of toxic positivity, and how shifting focus to purpose over happiness creates a more balanced, meaningful life.

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Who's the Real GOAT?
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

Who's the Real GOAT?

Discover how the concept of "Greatest of All Time" transforms traditional learning into accessible, understandable and relatable experiences for a new generation. From ranking legendary leaders to debating literary icons, the GOAT Project transforms traditional learning into an exciting quest to crown the Greatest of All Time, while developing essential skills for sharpening higher-order thinking.

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Little Bodies, Big Brains
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

Little Bodies, Big Brains

Discover the secrets to raising emotionally intelligent children during their critical early years. Learn practical strategies backed by research to help your child thrive emotionally and socially.

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Being a You-nicorn
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

Being a You-nicorn

Unlock your true self by embracing your inner You-nicorn! Discover practical tips to shed societal expectations and be authentically you. Learn how self-awareness, pursuing passions, and celebrating small wins can boost your self-esteem and well-being. It’s worked for Lady Gaga, Steve Jobs, and Mindy Kaling. So, start your journey towards a more fulfilling, authentic life today.

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The 2-Minute Rule
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

The 2-Minute Rule

A simple, but powerful strategy, popularised by productivity expert David Allen in the early 2000s. The rule is straightforward: if a task takes two minutes or less to complete, do it immediately. This principle helps cut through procrastination and gets you into the habit of taking action, no matter how small.

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Baristas May Be the Best Employees in the Business
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

Baristas May Be the Best Employees in the Business

Discover how the soft skills developed behind the coffee counter make baristas potentially exceptional hires for businesses and organisations. In an evolving job market where academic qualifications are no longer the sole indicator of professional success, the mastery of soft skills, such as communication, empathy, adaptability, and teamwork are proving to be a game-changer. Baristas, often stereotyped for their hipster flair, actually hone these invaluable abilities daily. From managing multiple orders with ease to creating a welcoming atmosphere for customers, the skill set developed in a coffee shop is highly transferable to any professional setting. Embrace the idea that a barista might just be the ultimate crash course in developing the soft skills your organization needs for long-term success.

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Bye-Bye Bad Days
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

Bye-Bye Bad Days

When we keep telling ourselves we've had the worst day, we reinforce negative thinking and increase stress. Reframing our experiences by saying "I’ve overcome these challenges today,“ creates positive thinking patterns instead. This simple change can improve mental health and self-esteem.

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Embracing your emotional intelligence
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

Embracing your emotional intelligence

As the nature of work and society evolves, the importance of emotional intelligence has become more pronounced. While IQ remains a valuable measure of cognitive ability, EQ addresses the human aspects of interaction, adaptation, and leadership that are increasingly vital in the modern world. The shift towards valuing EQ reflects a broader understanding of what it means to be successful—not just in terms of intellectual achievements, but also in the ability to lead, connect, and thrive in a complex, dynamic environment.

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The Myth of Maximum Capacity
Dylan Sulzer Dylan Sulzer

The Myth of Maximum Capacity

In a world that demands 110% every day, it's crucial to recognise that this expectation is both unrealistic and harmful. Constantly overextending ourselves leads to burnout, chronic fatigue, and decreased productivity. Instead, focus on giving 100% of what you have each day, by embracing the natural ebb and flow of your energy, emotions, and overall well-being.

Discover how acknowledging that your capacity varies from day to day is essential to understanding that being productive doesn't mean working at maximum capacity all the time.

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