Don't bite off more than you can chew...
A simple overused piece of advice, yet I find myself up over my ears in things to do. Why is it called "common sense" if so few people have it? I missed out on the gene or perhaps had a lapse in judgement. Even before going on my month holiday I was more than aware that returning to work would be a very difficult transition. Especially after spending a month cat napping in the sun on Thai beaches, exploring frigid Northern China, and of course doing lots of yoga.
After returning a Chinese lady I know reminded me that I was to start tutoring at her training center the following week. I tucked this into the back of my mind and continued about my week. Not too long after another lady I know contacted me and asked if I wanted more tutoring. Of course! Money is the motive, right? I had a lighter class load that week so adding more straws to the camels back sounded a-okay. Actual reality began when I paused to realize I now had given up two of my weeknights that I typically spend socializing. I made my bed so now I am going to lie in it.
Despite the circumstance I realized that being overly busy is probably the best thing for an A-type personality. I recall in university the more I had to do the more discipline I had. Idle time was a gateway to laziness and complacency.
Although a blessing in disguise did make an appearance. I am supposed to hold office hours at school. I tested this principle. I am to stay till 5:30. I can ask to leave early if necessary. I would stay till the end at first. Then vary my out time by 5-10 minutes to see if anyone noticed or cared. Nothing happened. So I bumped it up to 15-30 minutes. Still nothing. Then I got bold and would be gone the moment my last class of the day ended, even if this was noon. Nothing. I planned on continuing this behavior this semester till I got a message from my school contact about a policy change. I now find myself chained here till 5:00 ( yes I still leave early) everyday. However I get a lot more done and have more free time if I rub my nose raw in the office. Blessing and a curse these office hours.
Below is a list of things I plan to accomplish with this new-found forced free time.
1. Take more naps at my desk, since this is perfectly acceptable I should take advantage. Can't do it in America.
2. Watch all those movies and shows my friends go on about on Netflix. I have my VPN in here, why not?
3. Pinterest.
4. Blog marketing.
5. Keep up with the news.
6. Download and read some Spanish books. Time to stop speaking in a hurricane of verb tenses that don't make a lick of sense.
7. Not complain. For the past six months my life and work has been absolute bliss. I make a difference in peoples' lives and get to live abroad. Like the first night with the cockroach problem, if sitting in my office is the worst thing I have to do then my life here is easy.
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