What Part of ‘Say No’ Don’t I Understand?

Posted on November 10, 2008
Filed under Slowing Down and tagged slowingdown, workload

Apparently there are only so many hours in a day. Who’d’ve known?! What do you mean I can’t do EVERYTHING? Are you saying I can’t do all the things I think I want to do, or have been asked to do, and then be surprised when none of them get done to my very high standard? Is the idea that occasionally I say ‘No, sorry, I don’t have the time to do that’ so that my workload is not so ridiculous (on top of the constant travelling back and forth – 7hour round trip – to Melbourne)? Well, then I might just have the time to do a few things to a standard I’m happy with. Wow, my classes would be fun to plan and deliver and the kids would really benefit! I might just be on to something. Hmm, I might also have to look into not creating things for myself to do just because I feel like I should be keeping up. Tsk Tsk.

I’ve got plenty of advice for my husband who works too much too. I’ve got all the answers for him apparently. Eat better, change your priorities, work less, get exercise, go to bed earlier– but, what is that quote? Do as I say, not as I do.

Well, this is how it’s going to be – I’m going to say no, I’m going to miss out on a few things, I may even disappoint a few people (hopefully they’ll get over it!), but I’m going to be much better at doing the things that are really important to me – namely getting fitter and healthier, and being a better teacher, a better friend, and, most importantly, a better partner.

So, excuse me, but I have to go and be human… (and even though I’m going to try and stay human, I will be back shortly…

(Psst….it’s ok to not work at home, and sit and watch a whole series of a great TV show in one weekend. Try it!)

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3 Responses to “What Part of ‘Say No’ Don’t I Understand?”

Pam Thompson on November 10th, 2008 6:50 pm

Good on you Jess! I think a lot of teachers need to do the same. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. Why is ‘No’ such a difficult word for some of us to say?
Cindy Putnam on November 11th, 2008 5:11 am

Great post! As teachers, we expect SO MUCH of ourselves. Even just as parents, we feel responsible for keeping so many balls spinning in the air. I’ve been thinking lately: what are my REAL priorities? At the end of my life, what do I want to be able to say that I’ve done? I love this line of yours: “So, excuse me, but I have to go and be human.” Well said.
Jess McCulloch on November 12th, 2008 9:12 pm

I think that’s it Cindy – what is it that you want to be able to look back and say you’ve done? And why is it that we expect so much of ourselves? Ah, who knows. As long as we can stop and say enough is enough every now and again so we can recuperate! Easier said than done, I know!

Pam, no is such a difficult word to say because we don’t want to disappoint people or miss out on anything I think. Which is crazy – the sure fire way to fail is to try to please everyone! We have to get over ourselves a bit too, and just face the fact that not everyone is going to be pleased with us all the time – including ourselves.