Are you a tired teacher? Do you feel like you can’t go another day? Here are some really simple steps you can take when you feel like quitting.
Step 1: Breathe
Sometimes when the pressure becomes too much for us, our breathing becomes shallow and quick and we don’t even realize it. A really simple way to bring yourself back to the center is to take a few deep breaths.
Find your calm center once again by giving yourself a 2 or 3 minute time out and complete a deep breathing session. Step back from the situation that has you feeling frustrated or upset and breathe.
Step 2: Identify the cause
Pinpoint exactly what is bothering you or causing you to feel like you want to quit. Why is this circumstance, person, or situation causing you to feel this way? Why is this bothering you?
More importantly, ask yourself if this is something you have control over. If it is not, then you owe it to yourself to refocus on something more positive and productive.
Step 3: Identify what you control
Sometimes when something bothers us to the point of frustration at work, it is something we do not have control over. In this instance, you have to identify what you control.
There are three core things you can control: your attitude, your belief system, and your location or position. By changing any one of these three things, you more than likely will be able to stop feeling like you want to quit.
Step 4: Go back to the beginning
Why did you become a teacher? What inspired your journey into the field of education?
Go back to the basics of why you started teaching in the first place. In doing this, you will find the motivation you need to continue pushing forward through the rough times.
If you don’t remember, or if that foundation still isn’t enough to combat the frustration you feel right now, then maybe you should spend some time identifying other areas of interest for a potential career move.