The following quotation seems particularly apt after writing my last post on sustainability:
"A myth that makes it hard to give ourselves the attention we deserve is the myth that busyness is strength--that the more balls we can juggle, the stronger we are. When we seem to have the ability to keep pushing--to go, go, go--we believe that we can do anything. We think that we're members of that special breed who are built to give and who don't need to rest and take breaks as much as everyone else. This is, in fact, a trick we play on ourselves. The truth is that often the more driven we are, the less energy we really have."
Patricia Spadaro
From "Honor Yourself: The Inner Art of Giving and Receiving"
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Sustainability (of Human Resources)
In the last two years, Lawrence has generated many wonderful ideas and useful actions in terms of sustainability of resources (e.g., a LEED-certified building, reduction of paper waste, reduction of energy use). If you don't know about LU's Green Roots initiative, I encourage you to visit the website: http://www.lawrence.edu/committee/greenroots/ (They are doing great stuff.)
This post, though, is not about sustainability of the earth. It's about sustainability of human energy and effort. Here at Lawrence it can often feel like we (students, faculty, and staff) are on a constant treadmill of activities, responsibilities, due dates, performances, and commitments. Like it or not, Lawrence is a culture of "doing," not of "being" (not even a little bit of "being"). Rarely is there time specifically designated for self-reflection or contemplation (of things academic or non-academic).
To be honest, I think Lawrence is on a non-sustainable path. Too many people are putting in too many hours and exerting too much energy. I don't think it can (or should) be sustained. Instead, I think we should do less. Yes, do less. I know the first counter-argument is that doing-less will create a culture of slackers, but I reject that counter-argument out of hand. Lawrence hires the very best people available and admits the very best students. (If we aren't doing this, then we should. So if we've hired someone who really wants to slack, then that's an issue of hiring, not of creating a do-less culture.) The people at Lawrence are here precisely because 1) they love and believe in the college, and 2) they have demonstrated that they are intelligent, creative, energetic, and very hard-working. They are not slackers. Typically they are over-achievers who need to be told that it's okay to do less--to pick a few important projects to really say "yes" to (to put their whole heart in) and say "no" to other things.
More is not always better. More can have diminishing returns. If we always do more without thinking about it (e.g., does this new thing really have a large enough positive impact to commit the expenditure of human energy and time?), then we just have a lot more "stuff" and often have a lot less energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and excitement.
I encourage everyone at Lawrence to think about their own sustainable path. Can you healthfully keep up this pace for a term? A year? 10 years? If not, what can you cut back on in order to keep the quality experiences? What can you say "no" to in order to more fully say "yes" to the things for which you're passionate? (Note this might entail a serious look into what you value most in life.)
Clearly there will be variation in our paths. Some people can feel comfy and authentic while still doing a lot. Others might have different limits. Basically, we all hit our walls at different times and places. But I don't want us to have to "hit the wall" in order to say "no" or to re-evaluate our pathway. I'd like to have the conversation before the Lawrence community (and its members) hit the wall.
I'm all for sustainable paths for each person in the Lawrence community. I say a big, genuine "yes" to sustainability. I'd love for us to be a culture of do-less-but-do-it-with-your-whole-heart. I encourage you all to have these conversations. What is your sustainable path? (And remember it's completely okay if your path takes you in a different direction or at a different pace from those around you.)
Personally, I work every day on staying on a sustainable path, centering myself, and listening to my authentic voice. It's really a moment-to-moment journey of ups and downs. But I think it's a worthwhile journey. And I'd love some company along the way.
This post, though, is not about sustainability of the earth. It's about sustainability of human energy and effort. Here at Lawrence it can often feel like we (students, faculty, and staff) are on a constant treadmill of activities, responsibilities, due dates, performances, and commitments. Like it or not, Lawrence is a culture of "doing," not of "being" (not even a little bit of "being"). Rarely is there time specifically designated for self-reflection or contemplation (of things academic or non-academic).
To be honest, I think Lawrence is on a non-sustainable path. Too many people are putting in too many hours and exerting too much energy. I don't think it can (or should) be sustained. Instead, I think we should do less. Yes, do less. I know the first counter-argument is that doing-less will create a culture of slackers, but I reject that counter-argument out of hand. Lawrence hires the very best people available and admits the very best students. (If we aren't doing this, then we should. So if we've hired someone who really wants to slack, then that's an issue of hiring, not of creating a do-less culture.) The people at Lawrence are here precisely because 1) they love and believe in the college, and 2) they have demonstrated that they are intelligent, creative, energetic, and very hard-working. They are not slackers. Typically they are over-achievers who need to be told that it's okay to do less--to pick a few important projects to really say "yes" to (to put their whole heart in) and say "no" to other things.
More is not always better. More can have diminishing returns. If we always do more without thinking about it (e.g., does this new thing really have a large enough positive impact to commit the expenditure of human energy and time?), then we just have a lot more "stuff" and often have a lot less energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and excitement.
I encourage everyone at Lawrence to think about their own sustainable path. Can you healthfully keep up this pace for a term? A year? 10 years? If not, what can you cut back on in order to keep the quality experiences? What can you say "no" to in order to more fully say "yes" to the things for which you're passionate? (Note this might entail a serious look into what you value most in life.)
Clearly there will be variation in our paths. Some people can feel comfy and authentic while still doing a lot. Others might have different limits. Basically, we all hit our walls at different times and places. But I don't want us to have to "hit the wall" in order to say "no" or to re-evaluate our pathway. I'd like to have the conversation before the Lawrence community (and its members) hit the wall.
I'm all for sustainable paths for each person in the Lawrence community. I say a big, genuine "yes" to sustainability. I'd love for us to be a culture of do-less-but-do-it-with-your-whole-heart. I encourage you all to have these conversations. What is your sustainable path? (And remember it's completely okay if your path takes you in a different direction or at a different pace from those around you.)
Personally, I work every day on staying on a sustainable path, centering myself, and listening to my authentic voice. It's really a moment-to-moment journey of ups and downs. But I think it's a worthwhile journey. And I'd love some company along the way.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Transition, Comparisons (and Exhaustion)
Many thoughts have gone through my mind this first week of classes. Some of them unproductive (e.g., "you must be all things to all people," "other professors are more something--fill in the blank--than you"). Some of them insightful (e.g., "I have a difficult time with this transition from summer-mode to school-mode, so probably my students do too"). Some of them simple truths (e.g., "I'm exhausted").
Transitions can be challenging: adjustment to new rhythms, opportunity for self-doubt, and lack of control--not sure what to expect or perhaps expectations are set and they don't materialize. I find the transition from summer-mode to academic-year-mode a bit (a lot?) jarring. And this is mainly about my energy output. During the summer, I interact with people (individually, in small groups, and occassionally in large groups), but I don't do it all day long. I allow for much quiet time within each day. Then when school starts, I suddenly have conversations, intellectual discussions, and classroom interactions all day long. Because I tend to put a lot of energy, thought, and compassion into my interactions, I feel really tired by the end of the day.
My "aha" moment about students is that you have your own transition challenges. While you might share my "energy" issue, you also often (depending on your summer work) must switch from summer-mode to studying-reading-processing-learning model (while also catching up with all your friends). Those are very different states of mind and can lead to the same exhaustion. Note: After being disappointed the first day of class when my students weren't as uber-excited as I was about learning new concepts, I quickly realized that it takes you students at least a little ramp-up time, and that's okay.
Now, one of the hard things about transitions (and the potential exhaustion that initially comes with transitions) is that we're vulnerable to all sorts of unproductive thought patterns and habits. For me, I can fall into "comparison mind." This is when I look around and compare myself (typically unfavorably) to everyone. It's a bizarre state of mind, because it's not based in reality, yet it's really hard to shake. That is, it's hard to find my authentic voice and centered heart--the place where I know I'm okay (just they way I am!) no matter what.
I assume for you students, comparison-mind can encroach during transition periods just as it has for me. For example, "the students in my class seem smarter than me," "that student seems to know exactly what he/she wants to do, yet I have no idea," "will people notice I've gained weight?", "will I disappoint my friend if I don't want to get together tonight?" Clearly, the list (for all of us) can go on and on.
Well, you know what? I say PHFFLTT! to all of that. The reality is that we're all are imperfect and yet we're all okay.
Here's a lovely quote from Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron:
“Having the rug pulled out from under you is a big opportunity to change your fundamental pattern. It’s like changing the DNA. One way to pull out your own rug is by just letting go, lightening up, being more gentle, and not making such a big deal. This approach is very different from practicing affirmations, which has been a popular thing to do in some circles. Affirmations are like screaming that you’re okay in order to overcome this whisper that you’re not. That’s a big contrast to actually uncovering the whisper, realizing that it’s passing memory, and moving closer to all those fears and all those edgy feelings that maybe you’re not okay. Well, no big deal. None of us is okay and all of us are fine. It’s not just one way. We are walking, talking paradoxes.”
Please take good care of yourselves during this transition. Allow more time for sleep, reflection, fun, exercise--whatever rejuvenates you. And remember, we're all okay, right now in this very moment.
Be well.
Transitions can be challenging: adjustment to new rhythms, opportunity for self-doubt, and lack of control--not sure what to expect or perhaps expectations are set and they don't materialize. I find the transition from summer-mode to academic-year-mode a bit (a lot?) jarring. And this is mainly about my energy output. During the summer, I interact with people (individually, in small groups, and occassionally in large groups), but I don't do it all day long. I allow for much quiet time within each day. Then when school starts, I suddenly have conversations, intellectual discussions, and classroom interactions all day long. Because I tend to put a lot of energy, thought, and compassion into my interactions, I feel really tired by the end of the day.
My "aha" moment about students is that you have your own transition challenges. While you might share my "energy" issue, you also often (depending on your summer work) must switch from summer-mode to studying-reading-processing-learning model (while also catching up with all your friends). Those are very different states of mind and can lead to the same exhaustion. Note: After being disappointed the first day of class when my students weren't as uber-excited as I was about learning new concepts, I quickly realized that it takes you students at least a little ramp-up time, and that's okay.
Now, one of the hard things about transitions (and the potential exhaustion that initially comes with transitions) is that we're vulnerable to all sorts of unproductive thought patterns and habits. For me, I can fall into "comparison mind." This is when I look around and compare myself (typically unfavorably) to everyone. It's a bizarre state of mind, because it's not based in reality, yet it's really hard to shake. That is, it's hard to find my authentic voice and centered heart--the place where I know I'm okay (just they way I am!) no matter what.
I assume for you students, comparison-mind can encroach during transition periods just as it has for me. For example, "the students in my class seem smarter than me," "that student seems to know exactly what he/she wants to do, yet I have no idea," "will people notice I've gained weight?", "will I disappoint my friend if I don't want to get together tonight?" Clearly, the list (for all of us) can go on and on.
Well, you know what? I say PHFFLTT! to all of that. The reality is that we're all are imperfect and yet we're all okay.
Here's a lovely quote from Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron:
“Having the rug pulled out from under you is a big opportunity to change your fundamental pattern. It’s like changing the DNA. One way to pull out your own rug is by just letting go, lightening up, being more gentle, and not making such a big deal. This approach is very different from practicing affirmations, which has been a popular thing to do in some circles. Affirmations are like screaming that you’re okay in order to overcome this whisper that you’re not. That’s a big contrast to actually uncovering the whisper, realizing that it’s passing memory, and moving closer to all those fears and all those edgy feelings that maybe you’re not okay. Well, no big deal. None of us is okay and all of us are fine. It’s not just one way. We are walking, talking paradoxes.”
Please take good care of yourselves during this transition. Allow more time for sleep, reflection, fun, exercise--whatever rejuvenates you. And remember, we're all okay, right now in this very moment.
Be well.
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