Overworked
Hello:
I work at a very small school and they ask us to pull double duty on various items. We have many vacant positions and so they do not fill them so we are asked to preform the duties ourselves adding to already heavy workloads.
I have found that I need "me time" my family is grown so when I'm away from school I have me time. I do what I want as I want then get back to the task.
Good post. I teach 3 classes and am only working part time. I tend to take work home to complete all the tasks I need to complete. I like my job however, I do not care for my late hours and have requested daytime hours. I was told by management that no one would want the evening course, so it was not possible for me to change my schedule. Good idea to have me time. Good to take a break and then return to your tasks.
I am always at work late getting ready for the next day, and then in early to make sure I'm ready for my student's, I am going to set a daily cut off time and stick to it so I can spend more time with my family as well.
This is something I am trying to work on as well. When we've been away for such a huge chunk of the day, then have a long commute, cooking is the last thing we want to do. I've been doing a little better on it, by keeping veggies in the freezer and stuff to make quick main dishes, like boil-in-the-bag brown rice. Not ideal, but at least it's a balanced meal that doesn't cost too much!
I agree with you, there is nothing wrong in making time for yourself. I believe that is very healthy in able to do your job well.
Michelle, Yes, you've got to stop at some point. Leaving work at a regularly scheduled time each day can also help set expectations for those who work with you.
Dr. Melissa Read
My stress comes as a result of overworking,not knowing how to say no, and lack of exercise.My plan is to give up a few of my task, say no without an explanation, and increase exercise.Stress can cause major health issues, and I plan to be around for a while.
I have found that my husband and I eat out a lot just due to convenience
I teach every morning and every night, so I am home in the afternoons, but I don't always feel like making a meal and then cleaning up...... that's stressful in it's self, especially because I don't really like to cook. So the long and short is, we go out to eat
Leaving work timely is important. Coming home, relaxing, exercising, or watching TV - it is important to manage work hours so as not to have work consume you.
I agree here. I used to take work home all the time thus never giving myself time to rest. I used to have nightmares about the work. Now I really try to just say, ^&*&(...I will get to it tomorrow ASAP." Though I did stay here until 10:30pm again the other night. :)
I'm in a very similar position. I'm chair of the general studies program, all hiring and firing, train all new employees in our grading software, teach a full load of classes, create and lead monthly training sessions for all instructors, enter all new hires into our HR software, monitor progress and attendance for all students in online classes and provide computer training to all new students. Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning.
The best I can do is remind myself about why I love my job. I can get through a lot of other stress as long as I focus on what parts of the job I actually enjoy.
Julie, Interesting point. When we work under stress, we often cause ourselves rework in the future. We actually loose time in these scenarios. Sometimes it's good to simply know when to stop.
Dr. Melissa Read
I have made it a habit to leave work at work. If I do not finish it today, then I will come back to it tomorrow rather than working under the stress and risk making so many mistakes.
Marlene, Wonderful words to live by! And you are right, our days may be long but our years are often short. It's healthy to let go and enjoy every minute!
Dr. Melissa Read
I agree also,you will burn out so easily and it will have a bad effect to your family and personal life.Set a LIMIT to your time and to your work.Life is too short, DON'T STRESS OUT,ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT...LET IT FLOW AND GOD'S GUIDANCE TOO.
Shimeka, Yes, leaving work at a specific time really punctuates the end of the day for yourself and your coworkers. It's nice to set the tone that this will happen consistently as well, setting expectations for others.
Dr. Melissa Read
I agree. It is always best to set limits for yourself, for example leaving work by a set time in order to rest and spend time with family.
A budgets that is not adequate can be a big source of stress for the entire faculty. When a position is vacant, the school saves on that salary. Administrators may be looking for ways to balance the books and think that all of the teachers pulling a little more of the load will cover for that vacant position.
When I taught H.S. biology they took away our one planning period and replaced it with another class. That caused a tremendous amount of stress, especially on lab days. Before I could always count on my planning period to reset or reconfigure the lab. I had to compensate by giving the students a short assignment in class which gave me time to get the lab ready each period.
Rob
WORK LIFE BALANCE IS VERY IMPORTANT ON THE EFFECTS OF PRODUCTIVITY. IF ITS NOT TAKEN CARE OF, IT WILL CREATE BIG PROBLEMS FOR THE FACILITY.
It is hard when it's a small workplace. But I agree on me time.
