Nothing quite illustrates ‘fit’ like this!
As a school leader, I told myself that my career fit because it:
- Matched my skills
- Helped people / Make a difference
- Enabled me to work with kids
- Would fit ‘family life’
- Provided opportunities to travel
- Feed my love of learning
- Facilitated my “lack of roots” so I could live anywhere
- Provided stable good income
Yes, I had so many reasons why my career was a perfect fit.
What’s more, it was ‘safe’ to stay on my career path – the progression was known,
I had a clear plan and all I had to do was follow the course.
How easy it is to turn a blind eye to some of the realities.
My career did not fit family life – it completely restricted it.
It did not provide opportunities to travel – any ‘break’ was mere rehab!
In fact, there were completely over-looked lists that did not fit at all.
As a school leader, I actually:
- Rarely had quality time to enjoy life
- Didn’t help myself, physically or mentally
- Was fire-fighting endless ‘issues’
- Sacrificed my own family time for work
- Too tired to even meet up with friends
- Unhappy
- Trapped in a system
- Had good income but no stability
But I focused on the ‘fit’, thinking about the positives, and tried to ignore the negatives.
Until one day I found myself in such a toxic environment, it really illustrated the point.
Just because it fits, it doesn’t mean it belongs there.
The ‘fit’ still fit, but this particular workplace did not belong in my life.
And the moment I ditched it, the better every aspect of my life fit together and belonged.
The most dangerous thing in the world is trying to fit a drink bottle into an electrical socket… Or trying to pretend you are in a place of safety when you are risking your happiness in life.
I’m NOT anti-education. I have had a wonderful and successful school leadership career. I am anti-misery because our careers should enhance the quality and richness of our life, not kill our existence.
If you want to find out more about how to Live Daring Dreams, send me a message on my contact page.
#LiveDaringDreams
