If you’ve been on any social media platform these days, there’s A LOT of negativity and talk about quitting the field of education. I get it! I’ve taught since 1994, and it’s a totally different rodeo these days – some days seem unbearable. How can we stay motivated with all of this constantly surrounding us?
Here’s a few tips that help me:
- Set a goal (big or small) and visualize yourself achieving it – Visualizing your end goal can help motivate you to stay focused and motivated.
- Make a plan – Break down your goal into smaller, more manageable pieces and create a plan to help you stay on track.
- Take breaks – Breaks are essential for staying motivated. Make sure to take regular breaks throughout your day (in teaching, this might just be a minute of breathing to decompress) and reward yourself with something enjoyable after completing a task (even just a cup of tea or coffee after school is rewarding). Take “mental days” off when needed. We all deserve a day to ourselves!
- Find a colleague (don’t be on an island by yourself) – Finding someone to collaborate with can help keep you motivated and accountable for reaching your goals.
- Stay organized – Create a system for organizing your work, students’ papers (graded/ungraded), test materials, IEP’s, 504’s and more that will keep you on track and motivated.
We are teaching in a tough world – no doubt about it! I hope you’ll find these tips helpful! Most importantly, take care of you! There are many years I forgot to do this, and my health suffered! You’ve got this!
Until next time,
