I've had cleaning my office on a to-do list since Thanksgiving break, at least. It did finally happen today, and actually only took one hour to get to a passable spot. I still have a 2 inch high stack of papers to go through, but it's contained in my paper sorter now! At the bottom of one of the piles on my desk, I found graded papers from October 2018 with a note to enter them into the online grade book, which I'm guessing I got around to at some point.
Unfortunately I also have about 500 thousand other things that need to get done this week, including but not limited to the 45 unread emails in my inbox, so much grading, and meetings with students/adults all day tomorrow. Top it off with two classes (presentations only, so at least they won't create more grading?) and my week was full on Monday at lunchtime.
One of the people I read online (and actually really like) has been complaining about how much time her work is taking up. She does not work full time, but feels like she's putting in extra hours because the expectation is that everybody is putting in extra hours, so she should too. While I don't really like the premise that we should all have to work extra hours, I know that if I don't do my work, the job will literally not get done. I'm the only professional staff member in the entire school, which puts a pretty large burden on my time, and a high value on my energy.
Even though it's "not fair" (and I certainly don't make as much money as her, even if she's not working full-time), I do have to put in extra hours just to get the baseline of things expected from me done. Unlike her, I don't have someone who comes to clean my house for me, or cook meals for me, or take care of the little administrative things at home that everyone deals with. I also commute 2 hours each day. Having more work than time is not a new phenomenon, and it will always expand to fill the time allotted. However, I am a big proponent of working an extra hour or two for the peace of mind that I am done with my work. There is no feeling in the world quite like being caught up in the office in my mind (or on housework, for that matter), and it's something I take seriously.
I'm also in a unique position, which may give me a different perspective on things. I do feel like I am valued, personally, professionally, and monetarily, in my current job. If I could change anything, I'd hire someone to help me, get more vacation time (lol not happening), and move closer to the office. That's really it. I know I won't be compensated financially anywhere near what I make now if I leave, and I think that plays a role in how I view the situation. So... I try to not complain too much overall, because I have it pretty good.
Unfortunately I also have about 500 thousand other things that need to get done this week, including but not limited to the 45 unread emails in my inbox, so much grading, and meetings with students/adults all day tomorrow. Top it off with two classes (presentations only, so at least they won't create more grading?) and my week was full on Monday at lunchtime.
One of the people I read online (and actually really like) has been complaining about how much time her work is taking up. She does not work full time, but feels like she's putting in extra hours because the expectation is that everybody is putting in extra hours, so she should too. While I don't really like the premise that we should all have to work extra hours, I know that if I don't do my work, the job will literally not get done. I'm the only professional staff member in the entire school, which puts a pretty large burden on my time, and a high value on my energy.
Even though it's "not fair" (and I certainly don't make as much money as her, even if she's not working full-time), I do have to put in extra hours just to get the baseline of things expected from me done. Unlike her, I don't have someone who comes to clean my house for me, or cook meals for me, or take care of the little administrative things at home that everyone deals with. I also commute 2 hours each day. Having more work than time is not a new phenomenon, and it will always expand to fill the time allotted. However, I am a big proponent of working an extra hour or two for the peace of mind that I am done with my work. There is no feeling in the world quite like being caught up in the office in my mind (or on housework, for that matter), and it's something I take seriously.
I'm also in a unique position, which may give me a different perspective on things. I do feel like I am valued, personally, professionally, and monetarily, in my current job. If I could change anything, I'd hire someone to help me, get more vacation time (lol not happening), and move closer to the office. That's really it. I know I won't be compensated financially anywhere near what I make now if I leave, and I think that plays a role in how I view the situation. So... I try to not complain too much overall, because I have it pretty good.
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