Roll your sleaves up this is going to get UGLY

Many of us don’t do it because we are too preoccupied with other people and other commitments. Others of us feel guilty when we put ourselves before others. That’s not surprising, because being a selfish is a little taboo. But being selfish is not always a bad thing. Particularly when prioritising your needs actually makes you work and live better.

Teachers are great at being self-less. I know many brilliant teachers who struggle when it comes to being selfish. The thing that many people don’t realise is that by failing to look after themselves they are actually less able to help and take care of others. Like the flight attendants always remind us before take off. Put your own oxygen mask on first, then you are able to help others put theirs on.

Before I go any further, I am not suggesting that it’s always acceptable to put yourself first. If you feel a little peckish for example, you cant just walk out of the classroom, leave your students and grab a sandwich. Neither can you turn up to work wearing a singlet, board shorts and no shoes just because you ‘felt like putting yourself first’. There are, however, some instances that you can, or should be,  a little selfish.

Be selfish with your sleep

Make sure that you are getting adequate rest and relaxation. You cannot function properly if you do not get adequate sleep. If you’re staying up late with marking or with lesson planning you need to take a good look at your workload and or your time management skills. Allowing other priorities to consistently eat into your precious pillow time may cost that spark you have in the holidays and your health! It’s not worth it.

Be selfish with your mornings

Mornings for me are sacred. I get up at 5am, run, read, eat, stretch, get ready and go to work. The none morning people out there may read that and gag! Your ritual may look like nursing a coffee while you hide from the sunlight in a corner of the staffroom. Whatever your morning ritual, protect it, because starting the morning well can set up your whole day.

Be selfish with your ‘you’ time

I timetable ‘meetings’ with myself. For me, Wednesday nights at home are extremely important. There are plenty of things that I could be doing, but I don’t as I have an ‘appointment.’ You time can be whatever you like to do. My wife took a beginners painting class for a term last year. Once a week she had a three hour class learning to hold a paintbrush, mixing colours and painting pictures that she refuses to show anyone. I don’t understand it, but she loved it because it was three hours a week of creativity with no agenda. Your “you time” could be spent lying on the couch or reading a book, there are no rules.

Be selfish with your school and extracurricular commitments

Just learn to say ‘no.’ I understand the desire to do everything. You are passionate about meeting expectations and not letting people down. However focus on a few things and do those few things well

Be selfish with your health

This is one of those more subtle things. Look at your calendar at the beginning of each week and allocate time for exercise. It could be a morning walk/run/swim or a sporting commitment. We all know the importance of exercise and we all have the same excuses, but if you don’t prioritise this area you will pay for it in the long run.

Being a little selfish is great. As a teacher you have to learn how to prioritise yourself. I have seen time and time again teachers that give everything to their students, schools and colleagues at the expense of their health, peace, marriages and well-being.  You have to learn to be selfish and take care of yourself. Failing to do this will limit your effectiveness and your ability to help others. Choose to invest into yourself this year and watch how much more you can accomplish.

Posted by Mathew Green on July 18, 2014  /   Posted in Uncategorized
Whether you’re a casual teacher, permanently employed, working as a support teacher or on a temporary contract with your school, you are directly involved in educating, training and shaping some of the greatest minds that this world is yet to see.
^ Back to Top