I’m writing this article in the car as my husband drives us back from Cincinnati after hearing our son perform with the Cincinnati College of Music’s Wind Symphony. This week has been hectic, our budget reduction list is due to the budget committee and administrators are meeting to talk about the implications of what Farmington Schools will look like next year. I really shouldn’t have left all these responsibilities to drive down to Cincinnati, but what were my choices. I could have told my husband I couldn’t go or I could make the choice to balance my life and go with him… I chose the latter.
After both of my children left for college I started working longer and longer hours at the office. There are always new deadlines and being the typical business official, I don’t know how to say no or explain to people that something can’t be done on their timeline. We all have choices, but sometimes our love for what we do in our jobs isn’t always the best for us as individuals. By working longer and expecting more from myself, I had the added stress of not exercising or eating right. I gained weight and neglected my health. Two years ago, I decided to make a choice and change my lifestyle in order to lose the weight and work with a physician to help me set my priorities. During that time period, I learned that I could balance work with exercise and make the right food choices. It wasn’t a diet - it was a lifestyle change.
Now I try to balance what I do. I don’t always succeed, but I understand how important it is for me. I will be stressed this weekend, but I have learned to balance that by taking a walk or eating a salad, and not devouring everything just because it is there. I need to take time with friends and family and most importantly be there for my children. I had forgotten that even as adults they need me to be there for them.
I also started reading again which is something that I have always loved to do. I would stress myself out because I wanted to read for the enjoyment of reading, but felt that I needed to focus on school business issues. I’ve made the choice to read fiction because it helps me create the balance needed in my life.
It is also important as a district leader to be there for the staff and the community. In the past, work would overwhelm me; I’ve learned the joy of visiting school buildings in my district and discovering what positive things are going on. The energy that is derived from that experience aids me to do a better job at managing my priorities at work.
Work will always be stressful, especially with all the unknowns in the budget. Out of crisis better decisions will be made because people will come together; unfortunately time is not on our side. We have many choices and we need to consider what is best for us as individuals and try not to drive ourselves over the edge to get everything done.
My resolution this year is to continue to maintain balance in my life between work, health and my community and family.
