Ever have to get your nerve up & quit?

I've been threatening to quit teaching spinning (at 6AM) for the past few months. I've been doing it over a year - getting up at 3:30AM to get moving (I have arthritis) and finding that I'm subbing more & more classes - so sometimes I'm teaching all week plus 2 hours on Saturday. Needless to say - the rest of my day is shot - I'm a zombie no matter how much caffeine I've had. Recently I had hand surgery & the spin bikes really aggravate it - to the point that it isn't healing properly.

BUT - on the other side - here are these students I've cultivated who love the class. I work really hard at mixing music, moves, etc., and they appreciate it. Lots of kudos (read: ego strokes). Add on top of that I've been volunteering with girls 9-11 years old who are hyperactive, probably abused in some ways and very needy. I absolutely love my volunteer work but it really sucks it out of me. Showing up in a zombie-like state just doesn't cut it.

So, finally when the director of one of my venues announced yet ANOTHER staff meeting at 8AM on Sunday (prime riding/running time, as you all know!) I'd had it. I (and others) told her this time didn't work for us at all - but she apparently doesn't care. In my 35 years of working, I've never had such a dictator for a boss. Did I mention I earn the princely sum of $10/class? :mad:

So - I think the Universe finally gave me the kick in the pants I needed. I'm hoping that something else comes along at a reasonable hour because I do love teaching spinning & have a lot invested in it. (Oh - and if the Universe is listening - newer spin bikes would be nice too!)

You'd think that at age 57 I would have grown a spine by now!

You've given alot.

HOpefully you'll find something in your area. Meanwhile maybe take a pleasant group ride for some interested girls during a lovely day?

That's crummy, when something you love turns into a drag. I'm sorry it's become that for you. I hope something better comes along and you can once again enjoy your work like before.

I hope you don't give up on your volunteer work with the girls. I look back at people who helped me out and although I can't remember specific names or faces, I sure remember what they did and how they made me feel. I will forever be grateful.

Good luck and enjoy some outside riding time!:)

I taught aerobics at 5 or 6 AM (yes) for 10 years, as well as other times.
I just started hating the responsibility, even though I liked my clients. The feeling of relief when I quit was unbelievable. I couldn't justify the effort, when it started taking a toll on my "real" job. The politics of gyms is disgusting, the managers treat the employees as peons (I once worked for a place with 10 PM meetings when I had little kids and my DH was traveling) and as I am used to be treated as a professional, it it didn't work for me.

Hey Dogmama- it sounds like it's just not worth your while right now! Take a break, but keep working with the girls.

Have you considered a different organization to work with?

Take care of yourself- and if you feel like taking Desert Tortoise's advice, I'm on vacation until Friday the 14 and getting outside to ride as much as I can.

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Originally Posted by Desert Tortoise

I hope you don't give up on your volunteer work with the girls. I look back at people who helped me out and although I can't remember specific names or faces, I sure remember what they did and how they made me feel. I will forever be grateful.

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I'd never give up my girls. I get back so much more than I give!

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Originally Posted by Crankin

The politics of gyms is disgusting, the managers treat the employees as peons (I once worked for a place with 10 PM meetings when I had little kids and my DH was traveling) and as I am used to be treated as a professional, it it didn't work for me.

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That's the part that really gets to me. I don't expect a rose lined path to the spinning room but at least respect our wishes when we say 8AM on Sunday is a lousy time for a meeting! Plus they call it "mandatory" and never give an agenda. I wanted to write - "Mandatory or what??"

I've worked in some very professional areas and we were never treated with such disrespect. In our last meeting they handed out a big roster with instructors' names and the count of how many students they had in class. If you were low, they said you needed to "look at yourself" and see where you can improve. I'm the only certified Spin instructor in the organization (everybody else is certified by the company - big deal) & although my numbers were good, I double-dog-dare you to come into my class & tell me to do contraindicated moves. And how humiliating for the newer instructors!

So, yeah, I never thought I'd find a place with more politics than a University but I was wrong.

Here's what I take away from your post:
You're reacting because you're p*ssed at your boss.
You love the girls and want to keep volunteering with that.
Maybe you have boundary issues & it's hard to say "No" as you keep "subbing" for classes. Try saying "Sorry, I'm not available" instead of subbing.
Keep up your primary spinning classes only (no subbing).
Make time for yourself and don't feel guilty.
Good luck. You're worth it.

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Originally Posted by Dogmama

Recently I had hand surgery & the spin bikes really aggravate it - to the point that it isn't healing properly.

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I think this is your answer. You've gotten good advice and insight on the other issues you raised. However, you're not finding this financially or personally rewarding, it sounds like. It's not worth doing something that is impacting your health. You need to protect those joints while they heal. Period.

I commend you for your courage. Many people don't have the nerve to quit when something isn't working for them. I believe that everything happens for a reason and you will soon find the perfect gig on a schedule that works for you. And kudos to working with the girls, it is so uplifting to hear that you are getting as much from them as they are from you.

What Blueberry said.

It sounds like you'll have more to offer all around if you let go of this huge drain on your body and energy. Sorry it came to that, but it sounds like you know what you have to do.

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Originally Posted by Dogmama

In my 35 years of working, I've never had such a dictator for a boss. Did I mention I earn the princely sum of $10/class? :mad:

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We obviously work at different places. :rolleyes: ;) I would never complain about my work online.

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Originally Posted by Trek420

We obviously work at different places. :rolleyes: ;) I would never complain about my work online.

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If it were my full time, bill paying career, I wouldn't either. This job barely pays enough to meet the expenses of the job - plus they know how I feel. When the director announced at the last meeting that she was planning regular meetings at 8AM, I told her (in front of the group) that I wasn't OK with that & wouldn't be there. Actually, my words were "That totally sucks. I won't be there." I don't think I left much doubt. :p

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Originally Posted by Velocivixen

Here's what I take away from your post:
You're reacting because you're p*ssed at your boss.
You love the girls and want to keep volunteering with that.
Maybe you have boundary issues & it's hard to say "No" as you keep "subbing" for classes. Try saying "Sorry, I'm not available" instead of subbing.
Keep up your primary spinning classes only (no subbing).
Make time for yourself and don't feel guilty.
Good luck. You're worth it.

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Agree with Velocivixen. Great advice. Managers are people too and they take the easy way out. If you are too accommodating, they WILL take advantage of you. And they have.

Be strong and take care of yourself first. Let your injury heal. Take care of yourself emotionally then the rest of the things in your life.