Burnout #3

Burnout - part 3

https://www.themuse.com/advice/13-ways-the-busiest-people-ever-avoid-burnout

For MM and others
I’ve been looking at burnout for the past couple of days.

I have a friend who is a substitute teacher.  Although I haven’t seen her in action, I know that she is a great substitute teacher.  

I substituted three years ago and enjoyed it - but I really wanted to TEACH - not just babysit!!  This friend gets into many classrooms. In some, she can tell the teacher is really teaching - and in some, she can tell that the teacher is just “getting by”.  Recently, my friend was talking to me about a class where the students were to be learning fractions (4th grade? 5th grade) and the students really didn’t understand the basics of division and some basic math. 

My friend started the school year as a long-term substitute for a third-grade class - that didn’t have a teacher at the start of the year.  The district finally hired a new teacher. My friend was back as a substitute about a week ago when that new teacher got married. The new teacher is getting overwhelmed with all the activities - those activities that don’t show up when you do your practice teaching.  

It seems like the students (and third-grade students are getting pretty wise to the world of education) have learned how to “push” the new teacher’s buttons - and frustrate her.  

So, even though this teacher is new, she is already getting burned out and unhappy.  

So, my thoughts are on the teachers out there that are struggling with burnout!!

#5)  Schedule Free time.

Sometimes we think we need to work harder - so we put in more hours, get tired - and still don’t accomplish much.  

Scheduling free time means to get away from the ‘rat race’.  Do you exercise? SCHEDULE IT!! Do you play an instrument? Don’t skip rehearsals do to your feeling overwhelmed.  Is it going to be a nice weekend? Get outside - value that free time. Make it as much of your commitment to yourself as your work.

#6) Travel and Change your environment

That can be hard to do.  We have been so programmed to be workaholics that getting away is ‘running away’ from your work.  If you are in Central Texas - rent a cabin in the Hill Country for Friday and Saturday night - and go to the various flea markets and art studios; if you are in Connecticut - go to a Bed-and-breakfast in Massachusetts for a weekend.  

And, if you REALLY have to accomplish something for your work, you can still do it on a weekend again.  Almost all (all?) places have WiFi - so plug in your computer after your day of apple picking or sightseeing.  Work for a couple of hours before bed - (and then sleep in the next morning).

Tomorrow - passion!!!  I think it will be a great blog (but, as you know, I am biased!!!)

Hugs!!

Karen