In this episode, Dr. Jones encourages you to engage in conversation with your administrator when you begin to feel overwhelmed by your workload. If you don’t bring those struggles to light, he or she may never know that that’s how you feel. He also advises you to ask a really tough question about your current practices, especially if you’re on the verge of going from burned and unbalanced to burned and over it, where you basically have lost your care about anything that’s happening at school or in your classroom.

In this episode, Dr. Chris Jones teaches us: 

1. First and foremost, there is no one way to create balance or harmony between teaching and living life. You have to take your own actions toward your own

2. Burnout happens when what we believe in our heart (our why) isn’t in line with what we’re doing.

3. You can only live on afterburners for so long. Be careful what you say yes to, because if you’re saying yes to everything (including hours of work after school) you’re saying no to other things.

4. (Going back to the last episode) TIME-BLOCK! It’s a great way to prioritize your long to-do lists. Things that don’t fit into that block, don’t get done.

5. Find a way to talk to your administrator about new initiatives or your long to-do list. Make sure you’re understanding your expectations and you voice your concern about whether you can continue to balance everything you’re bringing to their attention. You’d be surprised at their surprise when you respectfully layout for them all that you’re being asked to do. Remember to come from a place of understanding, not aggression. This is a conversation, not an attack.

6. Be sure to SEEK UNDERSTANDING! If the task seems impossible, it’s probably because it is and you’ve misunderstood the expectations or unintentionally raised them for yourself. Keep things simple and don’t worry about getting an “A”.

7. If you’re overwhelmed, ask yourself, “What’s on my plate?” Write down all the things you have to do. Then, revisit your WHY. Honestly look at all the things that are on your plate and prioritize them based on your WHY and what season of life you’re in.

8. Here’s that question that may cause you to seriously reflect on your current practices: Would you be okay with your own child, your niece or nephew, or your younger brother or sister being in your class?

9. Getting out of burnout is all about perspective and action. An unhappy teacher is good for no one. It’s emotional, and what you have to do is use your head to stay true to the voice in your heart.

CALL TO ACTION: THINGS YOU CAN DO TOMORROW

1. Make a list of all of the things that you’re doing in your teaching and your personal life that are overwhelming you.
2. Then, prioritize them. What is going to happen and when? The things that aren’t on the top of the list are the things that you’ve either got to find a better way to do or quit doing altogether.
3. Share what you’re letting go of on social media and don’t forget to tag @burnedinteacher and @DrCSJones in your images or thoughts.

Until next week, I wish you a career and life full of happiness and fulfillment. You just took another step to become a BURNED-IN Teacher! BURN ON!

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