Reignite Your Passion, Deepen Your Calling, and Lead Positive Change

We didn’t become educators for the wealth and fame. For most of us, our choice of profession is deeply rooted in who we are, our core values, and what we want from life; it is not just a job.

As we progress in the field, our jobs as educators and our identities only become more intertwined. It’s no wonder, then, that when we come under fire from stress and changes, those factors affect our identities. An attack on our ability to do what we do is an attack on who we are. When we experience deep stress and burnout, we experience a loss of identity.

To reignite our passion and combat burnout we need to consider these important steps:

Know Your True Self

Any journey of renewal as an educator must start by thinking about our identities. About who we are without the “educator” title. Knowing our identities allows us to bring our own unique traits and qualities to the table, adding value to both our own experiences and those of others. A stable sense of identity enables us to engage our empathy, resilience, creativity, and adaptability. Our self-beliefs and identity, then, are essential foundations for initiating a process of re-setting, re-charging, and rediscovering our passion, purpose, and position.

It’s essential to know who you are beyond the titles and roles you hold. Understanding your true identity helps you stay grounded and authentic.

Reflect on Labels

Next, we need to differentiate those inherent characteristics from labels, which are qualities or characteristics ascribed to us by others, or even that we give ourselves. Labels are more of what others see or think about us based on our interactions.

We all carry labels, stereotypes, and first impressions imposed by others or by ourselves. Take time to reflect on the labels, both positive and negative, that you have given yourself or received from others. Acknowledging these labels allows you to assess their impact on your growth and self-perception.

Combat Negative Labels

When you think about your negative labels, you may have recalled situations or moments in which these labels were deeply hurtful, and you felt misunderstood or targeted. Negative labels often stunt our growth and corrode our minds, preventing us from seeing the light in any situation, even in ourselves. We can start believing those labels are justifiable, especially when the professional environment and culture around us continually prevent us from doing what we know would be our best work.

Negative labels can hold you back from reaching your full potential. By recognizing these labels and questioning their validity, you can take steps to change them and move forward in your personal and professional life.

Embrace Positive Labels

The term “labels” is important here: while positive traits refer to the qualities and characteristics that we use to describe ourselves, positive labels are more action-oriented and are often associated with behaviors, actions, or roles we exhibit or aspire to. Thinking about this difference can help us align our positive traits (which are internal to us, and that others might not always see) with the positive external perceptions of what others think, see, and feel, so that the labels they apply begin to line up more and more with who we really are. Thinking about these labels in this way helps us to focus on how we engage with the world, interact with others, and contribute to our communities.

Celebrate the positive traits and labels associated with yourself. These affirmations serve as reminders of your strengths and unique qualities, boosting confidence and motivation.

Create a Positive Narrative for Yourself

Remember, you have the power to rewrite your story; the labels from the past are just part of history. Focus on the present moment, embrace your unique qualities, and set goals that align with your true self. By actively choosing to reject negative labels and affirm your positive attributes, you can create a future unburdened by the misconceptions of the past.

By understanding, reflecting on, and reshaping labels, you can cultivate a stronger sense of self and create a more positive and empowering narrative for yourself.