Recently I asked for some honest feedback on a project I was working on. And I got it. The feedback was, sometimes you just need to color within the lines. For those that know me well, you know that I'm not your usual perfectly colored picture in a neat and tidy coloring book. I'm more liked ripped out pages plastered all over the wall after being doused with color going every which way. Well, maybe parts of me are like that.
Lately, I've been observing those that don't necessarily color within the lines. And I've realized something. Generally speaking, this coloring outside of the lines is not so positive. In fact, most of the time, the color that falls outside the lines is viewed as inappropriate, maybe a little crazy, a little out of line. Generally, even though not positive, I think it pretty harmless most of the time. But the thoughts that people think of those that frequent beyond the borders with their crayons are not the thoughts I want people thinking of me.
What I've learned over the last few weeks is that there is a time and a place for everything. And knowing the difference makes one at least appear wise. Failing to know the difference creates the appearance of a fool.
In my personal life, I think it sometimes okay to act or look a slight fool. I don't love to make that a guiding principle, per se, but I think it's okay there. To giggle at something that only I think is funny. To stop dead in my path just to watch a bird go by. To be spontaneous or slightly unpredictable. All of these things are perfectly fine and perfectly outside the lines. But to blurt out thoughts in a meeting. To write an inappropriate or strange letter (in anger or even-keeled). To be the true lose cannon making unpredictable decisions. These are the professional colorings that end up outside the lines that I want desperately to avoid. My professional coloring book needs to be neat, tidy, appealing, perhaps even predictable in order to be truly wise.
This week, I have some very important professional writing to do, and though I want to stand out, to be unique, I do not want to be foolish. So, I will create something within the lines. Not to be cookie cutter, bland, or completely usual, but to be, or at least appear to be, what I hope people see in me as a professional: wise.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
The "Year of Go" is...Going.
I'm just about three months into the "Year of Go", and I just need to take a few minutes to ponder the following question: Is this year real?
I just got home from 11 days in Key West, Florida, in the middle of an Iowa cold snap in January. I spent those 11 days traveling, teaching, and experiencing life with students in a subtropical location crammed full of every possible type of adventure thinkable. And although the trip wasn't perfect, it was sort of surreal. I mean, think about it. The university now only allowed me to go on an all expenses paid trip to Key West, they actually PAID me to do it! Sure, there were plenty of responsibilities. I had to teach history lessons, go running daily with the students, encourage participation and fitness, watch presentations, and help make travel arrangements, but come on. It just doesn't seem right. And though technically I agreed to go before the Year of Go began, it definitely fits into the Go theme just fine...especially because I have spring orientation day tomorrow at work followed by a drive to Madison, class on Saturday, and the rest of the weekend with Derrick. Meh, that's what the Year of Go is for, right?
Continuing on the Go theme, this weekend you may find me cross country skiing if it snows a little more; next week begins a new semester at UD filled, undoubtedly, with surprises, long hours, and many new opportunities; and in early March you'll find me representing UD at a conference discussing vocation on college campuses around the nation. Later on in the year, I'll be juggling a few new and some old extra job responsibilities while discovering my dissertation topic, and perhaps just for some added excitement, inquiring about a new professional opportunity. Oh, and I'm planning on trying my first (and hopefully second and third) triathlon race, maybe doing another half marathon, and taking a running class.
Overwhelmed? Nah. Who needs to be overwhelmed? This Year of Go is turning out to be quite incredible. As long as I cut out stuff that wastes my time (TV is the first thing to go), keep up with adequate sleep (it's almost bedtime already!), and continue to count my blessings everyday, then there's nothing to fear, no need to panic. In this Year of Go, all I need to do is...Go!
I just got home from 11 days in Key West, Florida, in the middle of an Iowa cold snap in January. I spent those 11 days traveling, teaching, and experiencing life with students in a subtropical location crammed full of every possible type of adventure thinkable. And although the trip wasn't perfect, it was sort of surreal. I mean, think about it. The university now only allowed me to go on an all expenses paid trip to Key West, they actually PAID me to do it! Sure, there were plenty of responsibilities. I had to teach history lessons, go running daily with the students, encourage participation and fitness, watch presentations, and help make travel arrangements, but come on. It just doesn't seem right. And though technically I agreed to go before the Year of Go began, it definitely fits into the Go theme just fine...especially because I have spring orientation day tomorrow at work followed by a drive to Madison, class on Saturday, and the rest of the weekend with Derrick. Meh, that's what the Year of Go is for, right?
Continuing on the Go theme, this weekend you may find me cross country skiing if it snows a little more; next week begins a new semester at UD filled, undoubtedly, with surprises, long hours, and many new opportunities; and in early March you'll find me representing UD at a conference discussing vocation on college campuses around the nation. Later on in the year, I'll be juggling a few new and some old extra job responsibilities while discovering my dissertation topic, and perhaps just for some added excitement, inquiring about a new professional opportunity. Oh, and I'm planning on trying my first (and hopefully second and third) triathlon race, maybe doing another half marathon, and taking a running class.
Overwhelmed? Nah. Who needs to be overwhelmed? This Year of Go is turning out to be quite incredible. As long as I cut out stuff that wastes my time (TV is the first thing to go), keep up with adequate sleep (it's almost bedtime already!), and continue to count my blessings everyday, then there's nothing to fear, no need to panic. In this Year of Go, all I need to do is...Go!
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Embracing Adulthood: The Proper Reaction
Since I was able to articulate the fact that somewhere in 2012, I was able to find my adult self, I figured 2013 would be a good time to write about it.
Today, back at work after a long holiday, I had the opportunity for an adult moment, and I seized it! I received an email about midday from my favorite professor at Edgewood who was scheduled to teach my next course. She explained that she would no longer be teaching the course, and that an adjunct had been selected to replace her.
Lindsey's usual reaction: (In an unnecessarily loud voice) "What?! What the heck?! I've already started working ahead! I've read textbook chapters! I HATE adjuncts! This will ruin everything! This whole course is worthless!" This would have gone on for a few minutes, maybe a half an hour. Ranting and raving is sort of my specialty.
Lindsey's reaction today: (Quietly, to myself) "Well, this isn't ideal, and I am disappointed that I won't have my favorite professor this semester. But hey, now I can take a few more days to enjoy not having to study. And hopefully she has our best interest in mind with this adjunct." Then I moved on to other things.
Truth be told, the reaction sort of surprised even me. Usually my flair for the dramatic leaves me kicking and screaming, even if just for a moment, over every little thing. This should have been one of those things. But it wasn't. I was controlled, somewhat even-keeled, and I didn't dwell. Now, I'm not assuming that this will be my regular reaction to all circumstances. (Some circumstances just need a good fit pitched every now and again.) But I do think that taking a moment to pause and reflect the significance of this tiny moment helps me to realize that maybe this transition into adulthood isn't all just talk. Maybe I actually am a grownup.
Today, back at work after a long holiday, I had the opportunity for an adult moment, and I seized it! I received an email about midday from my favorite professor at Edgewood who was scheduled to teach my next course. She explained that she would no longer be teaching the course, and that an adjunct had been selected to replace her.
Lindsey's usual reaction: (In an unnecessarily loud voice) "What?! What the heck?! I've already started working ahead! I've read textbook chapters! I HATE adjuncts! This will ruin everything! This whole course is worthless!" This would have gone on for a few minutes, maybe a half an hour. Ranting and raving is sort of my specialty.
Lindsey's reaction today: (Quietly, to myself) "Well, this isn't ideal, and I am disappointed that I won't have my favorite professor this semester. But hey, now I can take a few more days to enjoy not having to study. And hopefully she has our best interest in mind with this adjunct." Then I moved on to other things.
Truth be told, the reaction sort of surprised even me. Usually my flair for the dramatic leaves me kicking and screaming, even if just for a moment, over every little thing. This should have been one of those things. But it wasn't. I was controlled, somewhat even-keeled, and I didn't dwell. Now, I'm not assuming that this will be my regular reaction to all circumstances. (Some circumstances just need a good fit pitched every now and again.) But I do think that taking a moment to pause and reflect the significance of this tiny moment helps me to realize that maybe this transition into adulthood isn't all just talk. Maybe I actually am a grownup.
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