New Job, Old Habits

Why "You Take You With You" Is Your Next Challenge

You Take You With You: The Inner Work After Leaving Teaching

You did it. You pushed through the fear, navigated the rejections, and landed the new job you’ve been dreaming of. This is a huge milestone, and you deserve to celebrate it.

But now that the adrenaline of the job hunt has worn off, you might have noticed something a little unsettling: those old habits from teaching - the ones you thought you were leaving behind - are trying to sneak back in. That relentless drive for perfection, the struggle to set clear boundaries, the feeling that you should be doing more, even when you’re not.

This is the hard truth of career change: you take you with you. The job may be new, the environment different, but the inner wiring that developed over years in education doesn’t just disappear overnight.

The Return of the Old Habits

Perfectionism and poor boundaries were survival tools in teaching. You had to give everything you had to a job that never had enough time or resources. But in your new role, these habits can become a real roadblock to your success and wellbeing.

Here are four common habits from teaching that can follow you into a new career:

Perfectionism In teaching, "good enough" was a foreign concept. Every lesson could be better, every resource could be improved. But in a new career, chasing perfection can lead to burnout all over again. You might find yourself working late on tasks that don’t require it, paralysed by the fear of making a mistake, or constantly second-guessing your work. Your colleagues don't see it, but you're doing the same emotional labour you did as a teacher.
Poor Boundaries For years, you were conditioned to be "on" 24/7. Responding to emails in the evening, thinking about work on weekends, and taking on extra tasks without a second thought was just part of the job. In your new role, this might manifest as you volunteering for every extra project, saying "yes" when you should say "no," and struggling to switch off at the end of the day. You’re building a new role, but you’re using the same old tools.
The Hero Complex Teachers are often conditioned to believe that their personal sacrifice is what makes them a good teacher. This "hero complex" can lead you to believe you have to save the day, take on unmanageable workloads, and constantly put the needs of your team before your own. This habit can quickly lead to exhaustion and resentment, just like it did in the classroom.
Imposter Syndrome As a teacher, you were an expert in your field. In your new career, you’re often a beginner again. This can trigger a powerful sense of imposter syndrome - the feeling that you're faking it and that everyone will soon find you out. This can lead to a lack of confidence, a fear of asking questions, and a reluctance to speak up, even when you have valuable insights.

The Path Forward: Inner Work is the New Hard Work

This isn’t a criticism - it’s not you, it’s the system you’ve spent many years working in! It’s an acknowledgement that the work isn’t over just because you have a new job title. In fact, this is where the real work begins - the inner work.

So what does that look like?

Consciously practice "good enough." A good way to start is by asking yourself: "What would happen if this wasn't perfect?" You’ll likely find that the answer is "not a lot." Learn to be comfortable with a job well done, not a job done to an impossible standard.
Build new boundaries. Start small. When you finish work, close the laptop and don't check it again. Say "no" to small requests that aren't your responsibility. Be intentional about your time and energy outside of work. This is a skill, and like any other, it takes practice.
Acknowledge the fear. The drive for perfection and the struggle with boundaries often stem from a fear of failure or letting people down. Acknowledge these feelings without letting them control your actions. Remind yourself that you're in a different environment with new expectations.
Find your community. You don’t have to tackle these habits alone. In Phase 4 of our community, you'll find other professionals who are on the exact same journey - building new habits and navigating the post-transition challenges of a new career. It's a space for support, understanding, and ongoing growth.

You’ve already proven you can do the hard work of leaving teaching. Now, you have the opportunity to build a new professional identity that prioritises your wellbeing, not just your productivity.

This is the real adventure after teaching - learning to be a new you in your new role. And you don’t have to do it alone.

Categories: : Psychology of Career Change