What Happened When I Left Teaching

I left teaching twice. I had to go back to the classroom because I was not ready the first time I left. Here are the things that made me go back and how I got ready for my second resignation.

I thought I was ready to work for myself

Before I quit the first time, I saved a lot and started my own business. I thought that if I have savings for a few months of expenses it will be enough. Well, no. It was not enough. Working for yourself takes a mind shift. I was still thinking like a teacher. My internal clockwork and mindset was still like a teacher’s. Let me explain.

Wrong setup

When I was a teacher, I loved weekend mornings. And any holiday mornings. That means I can stay a little bit more in bed. Well, when I started working for myself, I found myself waking up later and later. Then, I have to force myself to work late at night just to make up the time. I failed to construct my own working structure so my body defaulted to my old one.

Wrong mindset

Worse, I was not aware that I am blindly following others’ agendas. I was a prime target for many internet gurus offering this and that. I thought I was being prudent by analyzing their offers before clicking on buy buttons. It was only later when I figured out that I must decide on my own agenda first and then see if those offers match with my own plans. I was so used to accepting school-based decisions and district programs (to survive teaching) that I again defaulted to this.

Went back to the classroom — preparing to get out again

Long story short, I went back to the classroom. This time, I did not only save money from day one. I made myself aware of my own mindset and work systems. I did not put my work email in the phone. I did something for my own business everyday even when tired. When I felt I was ready, I left. This happened just before the pandemic so I am just one step before all of you. I feel compelled to share what I learned in my journey on my way out of the classroom. So if you want to hear more from me, please follow me in Twitter or Medium.

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