If you find yourself struggling to stay motivated this time of year, you are not alone. Some days there just isn’t enough coffee to keep you going.
Perhaps it is the colder, darker days when sunlight and warmth, which boost happiness, are in short supply. Maybe you’ve had too many days of indoor recess and students are extra restless. Maybe you are suffering from a post-holiday letdown. When you have looked at the calendar and your next break is months away, it can seem like forever until your next break.
Whatever the reason, we’ve all faced a lack of motivation from time -to-time. Short term dissatisfaction doesn’t have to lead to long term misery.
Here are some suggestions to boost your motivation and help you get back to your purposeful, energetic teacher self:
Remember your purpose.
Think about the reasons you went into teaching. Teaching is a calling, and something about it spoke to you. Getting reacquainted with your purpose can help you to stay motivated. How are you helping students be better people? Who needs you on your A game? What have you achieved that you are proud of?
As a teacher, you have great impact. Sometimes impact is seen in the moment, but often you will not know for years the impact you have had. Every veteran teacher can tell you about former students coming back to them years later sharing how they were positively influenced by being in the teacher’s class. It is also highly probably that you will deeply impact someone and never know about it. Know that your impact is measured in the long term, not just in the short term.
Find and spend time with positive people.
You know who they are- the people who are always positive and help you to feel positive too. You also know who the energy vampires are- the people who suck all the life and fun out of you. Don’t let people drag you down into the muck with them. If the teacher’s lounge is full of negativity, stay out of it. Avoid the teacher who is always miserable. Misery loves company and they will seek to suck you in.
Seek out positive support, whether from another teacher, a friend or a partner. You can also find lots of positive support on-line is teacher groups such as Thriving Young Teachers or Teacher Warriors.
Switch it up!
Sometimes our lack of motivation is caused by boredom. Boredom can sap our energy and enthusiasm. Try a new teaching activity. Rearrange your seating. Add in an element of fun such as a learning game or simulation. Bring in some novelty by dressing up like a book character or famous person in your content area. Even a fun new whiteboard timer can inject some energy into your classroom.
Repeat your favorite teaching activity.
Think about your favorite lessons or activities. Then try to repeat that activity, perhaps with a different context. Alternately, repeat the students’ favorite activity. For example, if they loved making clay models of the digestive system, they will probably enjoy making clay models of cells. Think about how you can adapt your most successful lessons to use in a new way.
Don’t let angry parents shut you down.
We have all had an unpleasant interaction with an angry parent. At some point, you will be criticized. Parents may attack verbally or in writing, or even worse- go straight to your principal. They may misunderstand or misinterpret your actions or words. They may be working with knowledge of only half of the story or one point of view.
Take in the information. Look for any useful feedback and let it help you grow. We all make mistakes, and it although hurts to be called out for them, if we are working with a growth mindset, we can use it to become better.
Sometimes a parent will rattle your confidence and cause you to doubt yourself. Get some feedback from your principal, instructional coach, or another teacher than you respect.
Respond calmly and acknowledge their concern. Acknowledge that you are both working on the best interests of the student. Explain what you did and why. Offer a solution. If you need time to think things through, set up a future meeting.
Once you have addressed the issue, you have to learn to let it go without completely derailing your love of your job.
Do a series of quick, easy tasks.
Sometimes we get overwhelmed by all the things we have to do and reach the point of immobilization. A quick antidote is to batch several things that can be done in five minutes or less. Then tackle them. Make a phone call, file a paper, and organize a stack of papers on your desk. Accomplishing a group of small things will help you to cross some things off your list and build momentum.
Watch a great teacher movie or read an inspiring teacher book.
Sometimes we just need to get inspired. A couple of hours spent with a great teacher movie can do the trick. The same is true of a good teacher book. If you are in need of some inspiration, check out these posts:
13 Inspiring Teacher Movies for your Binge Watching Pleasure
25 Great Books About Teachers that Every Teacher Should Read
Focus on the positives in your day.
It is easy to focus on things that go wrong. Our brains are hard-wired to focus on the negative far more than the positives- it kept our ancestors alive when they learned to run from the tiger that was chasing them. You will pay attention to the sound of an ambulance or the fire drill warning, but quickly brush off the friendly greeting or positive comment.
Refocus your attention towards the positive. What is going well? What have you accomplished?
Every day for a week, write down two or three positives things that happened in your planner or lesson plan book. It will remind you that you are doing great things and getting positive results.
Another idea that we have talked about frequently is to keep a “Notes for Days I Really Need Them Folder. You can learn more about that here.
We hope you can use some of these ideas on those days or weeks when you are struggling to stay motivated. We’d also LOVE to know your tips and tricks for staying motivated! We always love it when you send us an email or comment on the blog or in our Facebook group or page.
Our best,
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