It’s a cruel irony that the very sense of purpose that makes working in education so rewarding also means that educators are more at risk of burn out. 46% of teachers and school leaders say they go to work when they are unwell so it’s no surprise that we often hear about self-sacrifice, guilt and resentment when we coach them. This episode explores why so many of us give much more than is reasonable because we believe that’s a moral quality and the right thing to do.
Small action – When you’re about to commit to doing something ask yourself the following:
What are the benefits for a) me and b) my students if I commit to doing this?
What are the costs of taking this on?
And if you start to feel resentment:
What do I need that I’m afraid to ask for, and, will I get it if I make this commitment?
Courageous action – Ask for time to make a decision about taking something on, for instance, by saying, “I know this is important to you. I need to think it through, when can I reasonably get back to you?”
If you’re interested in finding other useful stock responses go to Instagram and try the excellent @the_peoplepleasing_therapist
- Go to ‘The Programme’ section of the website to find out more about the Joyblockers and How To Get Rid of Them Programme, running in early 2023.
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