The currency of all activities is energy. Without this all-important resource, we cannot possibly do anything.
Where do introverts get their energy? From within themselves.
How do they generate this energy? By having Alone Time.
Without Alone Time, any introvert becomes prone to burnout – a very real threat for teachers.
We are required to spend large amounts of time deeply involved with other people, and their needs and emotions affect us deeply. If we do not take proper breaks, the emotional drain and stress from our work can lead to burnout.
Symptoms of burnout:
1. A diminished desire to care for or about others.
2. Irritability.
3. A feeling of being unappreciated or misunderstood.
4. A feeling that work is overwhelming.
5. A feeling of being drained of energy.
6. Thoughts related to changing jobs or professions.
If you need to take a break to recharge yourself, do so.
Burnout afflicts introverts particularly badly because we need more time to ourselves and are unable to recharge ourselves if we cannot find it.
If you need to take a break to recharge yourself, do so.
Remember that you can only take care of others when your own needs are met. For example, during a flight emergency, you are supposed to place the oxygen mask over your own mouth before doing so for anyone else.
Life should not be any different.
You will find that you will be able to complete your tasks much more efficiently and effectively after a good break than if you just try to steamroll ahead without sufficient rest.
While you are resting, reconnect with your thoughts. Ask yourself why you chose to work in this profession in the first place. You may remember the first months when you started and how exhilarated you felt.
What has changed since then? Is there a way to regain that earlier excitement? Perhaps a project or goal will help you recover the sense of accomplishment that you have been missing.
Think of the lives you have impacted in the time that you have been working. Think of the positive things you have received: Kind words, thank-you notes and all the little things that make your work worthwhile.
If, however, you feel that you need a new direction or profession, then the break may be a good time to think about where you wish to head.
