Notes from the General Manager by Diane Jacoutot
Happy New Year to those not in the Far East (sorry but Chinese New Year starts 10 February so I’m withholding from those in East for just a short while).
If you are like me you have made a New Year’s resolution, a practice started by the Romans when they made promises at the start of the year to the god Janus for whom January is named. A 2012 study of modern day New Year’s resolutions by the University of Scranton showed that the most popular resolutions were to lose weight (yup, I’m there), get organised, stay fit and healthy, save money, learn something new and to live life to the fullest. Unfortunately, two weeks on, almost 30% of those studied abandoned their goals. Why is it that what seems such a good idea on 1 January seems impossible in February?
At Teachanywhere, we notice a huge increase in inquiries into teaching abroad in January every year. It’s like a light switch flicking on. Perhaps it’s spurred on by those resolutions to learn and save and to live life to the max by challenging themselves but whatever the reason we like it. And luckily our retention rate is far more than 70%... which must mean that working abroad is easier than losing weight... and this has certainly been my experience.

I have a long held belief that most people are good at heart, but that we all should strive to improve ourselves. Every day. And if we only succeed 7 out of every 10 days, that’s still an accomplishment that should be celebrated.
I just need to remember to celebrate with a couple of carrot sticks rather than a cake this year.
All the best,
Diane Jacoutot
General manager, Teachanywhere
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