What if Everyone was a Teacher? Part 2

Welcome back to this week’s “What if Everyone was a Teacher” series. Yesterday, I told you about a few of the characteristics of the teaching profession uses that many of us could benefit from in our own careers. Today we will cover another one of those wonderful features.

Summers Off

Teachers get summers off for professional development and to prevent the inevitable loss of sanity brought on by associating with two dozen children every day for nine months. They use the time to rest and rejuvenate, and they might even have a little fun. It’s one of the most valuable perks of a teacher’s job, although since they plan for it every year, they might not see all of the possibilities a summer break contains.

For most of us, we would be overwhelmed if our boss came to us and said, “Joe, it’s May 25^th. I won’t need you to come back into work until August 20^th. Enjoy your summer.” I have a firm grasp on what I want to do with my life, and I also know plan out how I will spend my weekly free time, but I still would be dumbfounded if presented with 2-3 whole months of freedom. I’ve actually written on a similar subject before. There are so many reasons that having a yearly (or every-other-year) break would be a good idea.

I’ve been doing some research into the benefits of offering sabbaticals to employees, because, like I said, there are numerous benefits. In a research paper I found online, the author quotes this statement:

Through self-exploration you will begin to see how capable you are, how much more is possible for you, and how wonderful you are and could become on the road to success.

I think that covers it. A sabbatical shows us what we’re capable of. Instead of hiding our faults within the day-to-day routine, the lack of pressure/routine brings forth those thoughts and limitations. Once you have identified those limits on your abilities, you can then see what other activities are available to fit your desires and capabilities. And finally, you can become everything you were meant to be. Sure, you will go back to work when the summer break is over, but you will be more energized about your job and yourself. Instead of looking for excuses to miss work, you look forward to going to work in order to make the positive changes for yourself.

Another possibility is that you don’t return to work. You don’t think (for whatever reason) that returning to your job is the best thing for you. But I do think you should know that it’s perfectly fine if you make that decision. Most people won’t. They prefer the life of structure and simplicity that a 9-to-5 job brings. Others don’t. They want more freedom or a job that aligns more closely with their own goals. They want to become something more than what they have settled for in years past. I’ll say it again: that is okay. If you stay in a job you hate and deny your true self, then neither you or the employer is getting the most out of the relationship, and trying to force a fit is going to cause problems down the road (if it hasn’t already!).

Tomorrow I’ll bring you Part 3, but until then, I challenge you to ponder something. What would you do if your boss walked up tomorrow and said that you had 2-3 months off? What would your reaction be? Joy? Terror? Think about that while you’re driving to/from work today.

 

What if Everyone was a Teacher? Part 1

What if Everyone was a Teacher? Part 3