Eliminating activites that I want/like to do
As I worked my way through this module, I found myself saying that one of the stressors in my life is the lack of time to do everything I want to do. I work a full-time job and serve as an adjunct at two online schools (teaching one class at each at a time). I feel that I need to continue doing this in order to have the lifestyle that I have/desire. I really don't want to change this.
On the other hand. I love teaching and want to teach full-time. At my current full-time job, I am waiting for a full-time professor to retire any day now) and take his job. I would then leave my current full-time job. Now that we have all that background, I want to address my real issue.
I love being involved with the students and I also teach a one-hour course in our first-year experience. In this capacity I get to advise and work with new freshmen. While this is not in any way financially rewarding, it is personally rewarding. In other words, I don't want to give it up. In the Fall of 2011, I have been asked to teach a masters' level class in our Education department. Again this will not be as financially rewarding as my online courses, but it could be intrumental in my future teaching at this institution. On the side I keep statistics for our university men and women's basketball teams. While it does not pay at all, I love doing this.
What it all comes down to is that the two areas that I see that I can eliminate and they would give me more time are the First-Year Experience and the basketball stats job. When I evaluate these two "jobs" using the yes/no criteria of the effect they would have, they really affect no one but me! BUT I want to keep those!!!!
Do any of the rest of you find that you have these type of stressors that you just don't want to give up????? What do you do?
I guess I am using you as "my gradmother in Florida"!!!!
Dolores Kiesler
I also want to do it all. I use two methods to deal with this:
- I want to do it all, but not at the same time. Could you opt out of basketball stats this season and go back next season? Or, could you do it for every other game and share it with someone else that enjoys it?
- Take the best two out of three. When you have two gigs going on and find a third gig, keep the best two out of three. Then, when a better opportunity comes along, or something that you enjoy more or serves your long term goals, again pick the best two out of three. You are constantly trimming out things that you love and keeping those that you love MORE.
What a wonderful dilemma to have. Some people don't have enough that they enjoy, you have too much. Life is bountiful!
Dolores, we're happy to be your "grandma in Florida!"
Seriously though, I understand what you're saying. I've been working as an adjunct part-time for three years now, and I'm about to start teaching as an adjunct at a 2nd school that has a lot to offer me in terms of teaching and career advancement. I'm excited about starting my 2nd job, but I'm nervous, too, because I'm afraid I'll have to cut out things I enjoy doing (like taking naps!) to stay on top of both my teaching jobs.
I'm not glad that you have this predicament, but am glad that there are others that share my worries. Knowing I'm not alone is helpful in itself.
This is a great way of looking at organizing life to manage stress. I also make sure I incorporate some daily leisure to relieve any stress encountered during my day.
Identify with your deeper purpose. I believe we were put here for each other and with that being said you don't realize how much of a difference you are making cause nobody's giving you a pat on the back or recognizing your efforts. You are blessed because you are a blessing to others.
I think one of the hardest things to remember is that we just can't always do everything. Sometimes it helps me to make lists of all of the things I have to do, establish time schedules, and then list all of the things I'd like to do. I put those in order of preference and then see where they fit into my time schedule. A physical, written demonstration of my available time helps me relieve the stress of deciding what I do and don't have time for.
This is quite an honest post Dolores. Thanks for sharing. Yes, many instructors struggle with prioritizing like you. When we choose to move forward with one task, we should always note that we'll take away time for another. It's a struggle to find balance and to make the right decision. But the good news is if we start heading down the wrong path, we can always course correct.
