Perseverance.

What keeps you motivated?

As a teacher, I was fueled by:

- Creating stability for my family.

- Being a positive figure in a child's life.

- Having work-life balance.

When I decided to leave the classroom, I realized a few things:

- I wasn't being the best mommy I could be.

- I did not enjoy my student's attitudes or behavior.

- I did not like my thoughts about my career.

After some reflection, I decided that what used to fuel me wasn't working for me anymore. The reasons that I got up and went to teach everyday, no longer applied. And contrary to popular belief, there were no amount of "mental health days" that could change my outlook.

When you are in the job search, it is important to create a short list of your goals. You should also make a list of the things you DON'T want to deal with.

Start by answering these questions:

- Why do I want a different job?

- What type of environment do I want to work in?

- Can I be happy if I stay in my current role, why not?

By answering questions like these you can determine what is important to you. Job hunting is a marathon and you have to build the mental stamina to keep going when it seems hopeless.

Also, make sure that you don't settle. When you start to struggle in the job hunt, you get tempted to apply and accept anything. Please don't. Stick to your guns! Remember that there are things that you just don't want to deal with. Settling will only bring misery later.

If you don't want to work with kids......don't.

If you don't want a traditional 9-5 schedule....don't apply to a job with this schedule.

When the job hunt gets tough:

Take breaks from your search, network whenever you can, upskill to keep your mind sharp, and remind yourself of your goals.

Find your WHY and allow that to lead you!

Happy Hunting Friends.