Thread by @MartineGuernsey

My name is Martine Ellis.

I tweet about wellbeing-driven productivity, personal knowledge management and professional learning.

Want to know my story?

Read on👇

On the surface, it looked like I had it all.

I was on the board of directors for an international finance company. I had a glass-walled corner office, earned good money and drove a convertible.

Not bad for someone in their late twenties who never made it to university...

... but I wasn't happy.

None of my family or friends understood what I did - heck - I am not even sure I did.

My work felt meaningless.

As I approached 30, I just kept thinking, 'who am I helping?'

But of course, I couldn't leave.

I had a mortgage to pay, a lifestyle I enjoyed... I was wearing a great big pair of shiny golden handcuffs.

Things changed when I (finally) admitted to myself I wasn't happy.

An opportunity to teach at my local FE college for a year presented itself.

I'd always loved teaching, so I took the gamble, along with the significant pay cut, and sold my convertible.

Moving from finance to teaching wasn't an easy transition. I worked harder as a teacher than I ever had as a director.

Looking back, I know it was the best decision I ever made.

My gamble paid off.

I was finally helping people.

Over a decade later, I am a teacher educator - I help others make that (terrifying) move from industry to teaching, just like I did.

I head up professional learning at the same college that took a chance on me (I never left).

Also...

I write and speak about wellbeing-driven productivity, personal knowledge management and professional learning (that's what you'll get from me here on Twitter - what I share applies to anyone, not just teachers).

That's me - it's nice to meet you 👋

If you are interested in what I have to say, please give me a follow here: @MartineGuernsey.

Find out more about what I do online here: sleek.bio/martine.

Now tell me about you 😀