Melanie C. PageProfessor

Work with a partner/triad to define

All parts of life are equal? All parts of life are in harmony? Sometimes balance means out of balance!

Learn to say “YES” judiciously◦ Is it related to your short or long term goal?◦ Will you build social or professional capital?◦ Suggest someone else if you cannot

Say “maybe” first◦ Do not be first to volunteer unless perfect match◦ Does saying yes lead to tenure, promotion?◦ What is the cost/benefit?

Work and Family will trade priority spots Work: summer and semester before tenure Work: grant due Family: medical issues Family: having a baby Others???

Research suggests self-care is vitalMulti-tasking does not work effectivelyBe fully present in whatever you do

Yoga◦ SWC and Colvin classes◦ Studios in town◦ Different styles – try many to find yours

Hobbies Get a massage, facial, hair cut, etc Go on a date Exercise

◦ Free membership to the Colvin and SWC Get enough sleep Actually take the weekend off/take

vacation Meditate

◦ Research shows it changes you at a DNA level

Be selective in your projects◦ Will this count for tenure and/or promotion◦ Is this publishable in the type of journal I need to

publish in? Collaborate intelligently and selectively Life is long, be patient Track your time for 2 weeks Stay connected to students Take your sabbaticals Laptops

Students are more flexible than you are A lack of planning on anyone’s part does

not equal a crisis on your part Do not piece meal your day Use technology when you can

Work with your chair to limit pre-tenure course preps

Two new preps at once is hard Tweak small things Use materials from others near and far Being pleasant and energetic goes a long

way Go to seminars and conferences – very

energizing and informative

Criteria can be fuzzier If you meet the written criteria, you do not

need to meet the urban legends Get a mentor who is full Ask questions Selective university-wide/national service

◦ Assignments of limited duration◦ Meet broad range of people◦ Builds national/international reputation

Double work activity with kid activity Special time with just them Family leave tenure clock policy/new baby Limit your children to 1-2 activities

Enlist their help◦ Read drafts◦ Housework/cooking/kids◦ Work out buddy

One-on-one time Do activities everyone can do Single parent

◦ Form coalitions

Eat with partner Eat with friends Go to seminars with free food! Start a lunch bunch with colleagues Start a writing group that meets at happy

hour Have small get togethers Join UFO: bridget.miller@okstate.edu

Stress is horrible for you◦ Linked to many diseases

Play to your strengths Get an SNB semester calendar Volunteering

◦ limit Only you expect perfection

8:30 take kids to school Email, class prep 10:30-11:45 class 12-12:25 lead grantseeking club 12:30-1:45 class 1:45 meet speaker 2 – go back to office and get media cart Still have not eaten lunch 3:30-5 speaker 5-6 reception 6-6:30 meet with TA

Sick at end of every semester Burnout Premature aging Weight gain Relationship problems

◦ Partner◦ Children

Write down one thing you are going to change◦ Today or tomorrow◦ For your long-term future

What is the most important thing you learned today?

Rarely do people say, boy I wish I had spent more time at work

Live a life of few regrets Value yourself and your marriage,

partnerships, friendships Let others share the load at home and

school A messy house is ok Good colleagues are worth their weight in

gold

What is the single most important thing in your life?

What did you spend the most time on last week?

Do those two things match? Are they ever even close?

Thanks!!