Taking on a yearbook advisor’s role is no small feat, and it’s certainly not for everyone. Those who commit to guiding your yearbook staff through the lengthy process of creating a beautiful yearbook are a source of inspiration to many.
And, participating in your school’s yearbook club may make you feel lacklustre on occasion. This is why finding a good source of motivation is paramount to remaining engaged and excited throughout the creative, editorial, and publishing process. In this article, we share five wonderful ways yearbook advisers can use to keep their motivation strong.
Trust Your Yearbook Style Guide
An easy way to lose your yearbook-making excitement is when the scope of your project creeps too far from its intended direction. This is why having a clear, structured style guide is essential. The style guide you and your team create at the start of the yearbook production process should keep you and your team’s focus steady and in the right direction.
If looming design and style element shifts are wreaking havoc on your desire as a yearbook advisor to show up for yearbook class, remember to use the style guide as a reference for quality control.
Take a Breather from Yearbook Planning
Yearbook planning is a very involved process, especially for yearbook advisors. It’s easy to see how it can overshadow aspects of a yearbook advisor’s life outside of the classroom. Looming deadlines, collecting and organizing content, and yearbook sales can all become overwhelming.
Prevent yourself from experiencing “yearbook-burnout” by scheduling time away from yearbook planning. Adding self-care breaks to your schedule will re-charge your batteries, giving you motivation and energy to tackle the next batch of yearbook assignments and duties.
Self-Care Tips for Yearbook Advisors
- Exercise regularly
- Spend time with family and friends
- Delegate tasks to staff members and volunteers
- Practice mindfulness
- Indulge in a good book!
Build Yearbook Teamwork Skills
Team training is often utilized by businesses to improve productivity and efficiency. Creating better connections between employees, co-workers, and managing staff has proven to increase a team’s production levels and quality.
This method should also be applied to yearbook teams and is also fundamental to keeping everyone, including yearbook advisors, motivated throughout the school year. And, team training sessions for your yearbook staff don’t have to be expensive, labour intensive, or even in-person! Check out some easy team-building ideas below:
Games to Build Yearbook Teamwork Skills
- Never Have I Ever…..
- Trivia questions – Your School Edition!
- Scavenger Hunt
- Escape Room Games
Talk to Your Yearbook Publishing Representative
Reaching out to someone who understands the complexities and nuances of the yearbook production process can provide the right motivation you need to get fired-up and back in yearbook advisor mode.
Work closely with your yearbook representative. They can help you identify and resolve many underlying issues that may be draining your desire for yearbook class. And, yearbook publishers who pride themselves on delivering extraordinary services can be a great resource willing to help you navigate all aspects of your project.
Reflect on Past Yearbook Projects
Take a walk down memory lane. Past yearbooks successes can help fuel the flames needed to bring your yearbook motivation back to life. Find time to review your past projects and school yearbooks. As you peruse through history and reflect, ask yourself some of the following questions:
- What encouragement did you rely on then that pushed you to completion?
- What tools helped keep the project moving forward?
- What elements are you most proud of?
- Which features are you eager to improve in this project?
- Are you excited to be part of the student’s and school’s legacy?
Keep Going with FutureBook Yearbooks
FutureBook Yearbooks began on the premise to deliver extraordinary service and yearbook products that have fantastic quality and are kind to the planet. That legacy continues. And, our resolve to maintain FutureBook’s initial commitment to our clients and the environment is stronger than ever. To keep learning how to improve your yearbook class experience, read our blog and sign up for our newsletter.
