The joy had been replaced by worry and a deep feeling of being inadequate to cope with the job. A stiff hand reached for the light switch and the teacher shuffled off to bed, haunted by the implications of this question. There are numerous forces preventing teachers from achieving a balance between their personal and professional lives. In combination, these forces can reduce teaching effectiveness, a teacher's sense of enjoyment and for some, mental well-being. The end result can be a loss of self and, eventually, a career crisis.
Every teacher wants to be successful and happy, and lead a balanced professional and personal life.
Yet because teachers are involved in the most human of all undertakings and motivated to do the best we can for our schools and our students, we are naturally susceptible to overwork. In succumbing to these forces, teachers are often willing victims. The most successful teachers are those who are aware of this trap and take steps to avoid it. They achieve happiness and success by seeking balance and perspective, and by employing a positive attitude. While not all would agree with this definition, most agree on at least three points.