When you take on a new role, or a new job, it is a wise idea to set aside some time during the first term to reflect on how things are going. This not only helps you to determine if this is actually the role for you, but it also helps to identify what is going brilliantly and what you may need a little help with.
Each new role that you take is a segment of your overall career journey. It does not need to be a permanent feature, although of course it may turn out that way if you and the role are a perfect match! It helps to have the mindset that you are piecing together elements of your career, each of which will offer opportunities for growth and development.
Focusing on the following questions can help you to reflect on how things are going, and may trigger a plan for change if necessary:
- Look ahead… How do you feel on a Sunday evening? Do you look forward to the week ahead, or do you experience fear, trepidation, or dread? Pay attention to how you feel about the coming week and aim to identify the source of those feelings. This can be useful information when considering how thing are going for you, and may even indicate that change is necessary for your mental health.
- Assess workload… How are things actually going for you? Is the workload you need to manage on a daily basis what you expected it would be? Is it manageable or are other aspects of your life suffering? Do you think things will calm down or is this the new normal? Are you happy with your current workload?
- Acknowledge achievements… You almost certainly hit the ground running at the start of term and the chances are you have had numerous wins since then. What are they? Identify and acknowledge them. Don’t let them pass by without recognising them and taking a moment to reflect on what contributed to the win.
- Identify learning… What has this term taught you so far? What are the key points of learning for you? How has your professional and personal development moved forwards so far this term? To what extent are you able to develop and nurture your ideas? Can you put them into action?
- Assess the work systems you have to work with… Do these systems help or hinder you? Is there anything that you need to change to make your working day go more smoothly?
- Acknowledge the challenges… What has not gone so well this term? Acknowledging the trickier stuff is a great way of removing its power. Sure, there is bound to be something that didn’t go the way you would have liked, but if you can identify why and move on, that is probably going to be helpful. If you could do with talking it through, your union, a trusted colleague, or Teacher Support (08000 562 561) can help. Aim to identify it, bring it out into the open, and move on with whatever learning may be gleaned from the situation. Do not, whatever you do, hang onto it or struggle on alone. You are far more than your challenging times!
- Highlight your longer-term career goals… Has your work so far this term enabled you to move towards your longer-term career goals? Or have they become shrouded in the mist of day-to-day demands? Keep your eyes on the prize and reflect on the extent to which you are helped or hindered in your current situation.
- Shine a spotlight on your work habits… have you been able to maintain healthy work habits this term? Do you have a sense of balance to your week? Have you avoided a feeling of overwhelm? Are you resting enough, eating well and getting some exercise? Above all, do you need to make any changes in order to thrive?
- Focus on values… Does this role enable you to work within your personal values? Does your work in this setting align with your personal philosophy of teaching?
- Celebrate the joy… What have you loved so far this term? What has brought you joy and pleasure about your new role?
It is worth remembering that all roles eventually become familiar. We get used to the demands and expectations placed on us, and for the most part can handle whatever comes our way. For some, this comfort tends to come before the decision to look for fresh challenges with a view to changing role, either within the school or outside, in the not-too-distant future. But for others, consolidation within a role is most advantageous at that moment. Regardless of which category you fall into, being mindful about how you feel about your working life and where you would like to be in the next term, year or five years is often a fruitful way to enhance your experience of work.
About the author
Elizabeth Holmes
After graduating with a degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Reading, Elizabeth Holmes completed her PGCE at the Institute of Education, University of London. She then taught humanities and social sciences in schools in London, Oxfordshire and West Sussex, where she ran the history department in a challenging comprehensive. Elizabeth specialises in education but also writes on many other issues and themes. As well as her regular blogs for Eteach and FEjobs, her books have been published by a variety of publishers and translated around the world. Elizabeth has also taught on education courses in HE and presented at national and international conferences.
