Always Stay Humble And Kind
"I want you to write down where you want to be 3 to 5 years from now, and come up with an action item to accomplish within the next year that will help get you there."
The head of Student Affairs threw that out to us in our middle-management meeting this past Wednesday. This was the thought process that followed:
Where do I see myself 3 years from now?
...
Where do I see myself 1 year from now?
...............
3 years? I'll be almost 30 by then!
...............................
I don't know where I'll be 3 years from now, let alone 5!
...............................................................................................................
I've sat in two professional development seminars this past year - one for the Registrar's Office managers, and one for the Student Affairs middle-managers. It's been eye opening, and disconcerting, and yet much needed all at the same time. I have felt so inadequate, and yet have grown so much in this past year because of this. A common theme I have heard across the board from the various different professionals we've spoken to is that they knew right away that they loved higher ed, and wanted to stay there forever. They knew they wanted to be the next VP, or Registrar, or Dean of Students. They knew that was the path they wanted to take. They love it, and they love working in higher ed! They're so passionate about it, and they have worked hard to get where they are, including getting Ph.D's, volunteering on various committees, being involved in the higher ed conferences, presenting at conferences, working extra hours, making connections around the globe.... that is what they have spent their life doing. And they love it.
I have been having a lot of thoughts these past few months. My temple schedule has been so messed up because of the play rehearsals, and my anxiety has sky rocketed because of it. It's been hard to see that side of me, and I've been struggling to keep breathing and moving forward without the melt downs that accompany the high anxiety. I've been thinking a lot, as I'm prone to do, and have really been struggling. I have been discovering who I am and find that I don't fit into the mold I'd made for myself. Does that make sense? I have been trying to keep myself in this mold since I first discovered I didn't fit anymore - the past 6 months - and I have found that I'm not sure I want to be in it much longer.
This is a really short post, and there's not a lot of details. I have been having a lot of thoughts, and I've been trying to get it out there in my writing - both in my journals and here on my blog - as that's how I understand life best. So much of it is so personal and still being processed. But, I felt like I needed to get my thoughts out there. It brings clarity to me, even if it leaves you wanting more. Just know that I have mountains to climb, and I intend to do that, but I also intend to stay humble and kind in the process.
The head of Student Affairs threw that out to us in our middle-management meeting this past Wednesday. This was the thought process that followed:
Where do I see myself 3 years from now?
...
Where do I see myself 1 year from now?
...............
3 years? I'll be almost 30 by then!
...............................
I don't know where I'll be 3 years from now, let alone 5!
...............................................................................................................
I've sat in two professional development seminars this past year - one for the Registrar's Office managers, and one for the Student Affairs middle-managers. It's been eye opening, and disconcerting, and yet much needed all at the same time. I have felt so inadequate, and yet have grown so much in this past year because of this. A common theme I have heard across the board from the various different professionals we've spoken to is that they knew right away that they loved higher ed, and wanted to stay there forever. They knew they wanted to be the next VP, or Registrar, or Dean of Students. They knew that was the path they wanted to take. They love it, and they love working in higher ed! They're so passionate about it, and they have worked hard to get where they are, including getting Ph.D's, volunteering on various committees, being involved in the higher ed conferences, presenting at conferences, working extra hours, making connections around the globe.... that is what they have spent their life doing. And they love it.
I have been having a lot of thoughts these past few months. My temple schedule has been so messed up because of the play rehearsals, and my anxiety has sky rocketed because of it. It's been hard to see that side of me, and I've been struggling to keep breathing and moving forward without the melt downs that accompany the high anxiety. I've been thinking a lot, as I'm prone to do, and have really been struggling. I have been discovering who I am and find that I don't fit into the mold I'd made for myself. Does that make sense? I have been trying to keep myself in this mold since I first discovered I didn't fit anymore - the past 6 months - and I have found that I'm not sure I want to be in it much longer.
This is a really short post, and there's not a lot of details. I have been having a lot of thoughts, and I've been trying to get it out there in my writing - both in my journals and here on my blog - as that's how I understand life best. So much of it is so personal and still being processed. But, I felt like I needed to get my thoughts out there. It brings clarity to me, even if it leaves you wanting more. Just know that I have mountains to climb, and I intend to do that, but I also intend to stay humble and kind in the process.
Hold the door, say please, say thank you
Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie
I know you got mountains to climb but
Always stay humble and kind
When the dreams you're dreamin' come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride but
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