Hi all - Hope you're having a good Monday. This is my "free" week in between the end of my summer I group sessions and the beginning of my summer II group sessions. I will meet my new group members on Tuesday of next week.
Our chapter for class tomorrow was very pertinent for me. I've had to learn to balance my work and school time with my home and other aspects of life. One of the areas the chapter mentions is being available for our SA positions outside of work - how some people take work home with them. One of the ways - and I already "do" this - that I am able to leave most of work at work is that I do not have email access on my phone. Unless my future employer requires it, I won't be adding it. I can do all sorts of zippy things with my iPhone, but I don't get my emails. I just don't want to be THAT connected to work. My partner, Lee, gets his email notifications on his phone, and he's often having to respond or think about work or deal with a problem that could have waited until he was back at his desk. I just don't wanna go there unless I have to. I know, at times, Lee wishes he didn't see his emails quite so quickly. He feels the duty to respond once he's read one. I'm fine waiting. Ha!
I think, too, as the chapter mentions, making outside-of-work contacts in a new city is very important. I see faculty and staff members come to work here in the Libraries and just make one or two friends here in the building. Well, what happens if there's an argument? What happens if that friend is gone for a week or two? I think getting out into the community and finding people who don't work for whatever institution with which we'll eventually work is important. At the same time, I know that can be difficult. Take Starkville for example. SO many people are connected to the university. It's sometimes difficult to find someone who has no ties to the school. In a larger city, of course, that wouldn't be quite as tough, but I bet it'll still be a factor to be considered.
See you all Tuesday morning! Lyle
Lyle,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've been reflecting on this already. Finding balance is key and setting boundaries is also a personal and professional necessity! It sounds like you've found ways to already "draw the line" so to speak as you've opted out of the email to iphone thing. That is an excellent example of how to maintain a professional distance without being obtrusive about it. I am glad you are recognizing this already. Take a breath this week as you gear up for round 2!
Dr. H