It is easy to feel overwhelmed with all the tasks an academic has to do. Contrary to public perceptions of college professors lounging away and eating bonbons, showing up unprepared for only a few hours of classes, most of us are extremely busy. Many of us manage diverse and challenging roles-developing curriculum, keeping up to date on research and scholarship, our own writing and research, community service, leadership in professional organizations, campus leadership roles and numerous other service obligations. The diversity of our roles, especially when we are knee-deep into the heart of our semesters/semesters, can be overwhelming.
While the temptation is to focus on what feels most immediate, it is important to carve out time for writing, no matter what. Make that your mantra, writing first, "pay myself and my career" first. Small blocks of time for writing helps us manage the overwhelming feeling that another terms is slipping by without our having focused on our scholarship.
This post reminded me of a podcast with Les Black, where he argues that we need to treat writing sessions in the same way we treat any other aspect of academic life.
ReplyDeleteWe would never dream of not turning up for a teaching session, or meeting with a student and not give it our very best. Likewise, we should not sacrifice our writing time (and the quality of those sessions) for other things on our to do list.
We need to treat writing as a core aspect of academic life, not dropping it when other things come along, and commit to it without distractions.
It is a good podcast. You can listen to it here: http://magiclantern.gold.ac.uk/podcasts/sociology/sonicpostcards/postcard5done.mp3
Good podcast! I think I will pass it on to readers in a post, if you do not mind!
DeleteWell said. As a testimonial, I can offer that my feeling of overwhelm stays in check when I maintain a pattern of writing for one hour each day. Thank you for posting exactly what I needed to read today.
ReplyDeleteYour comment made me think, Monica. It reminded me of a period I went through of intense stress. Even in my darkest days, I always headed out for a 30 mns run. Sometimes, I was so tired that I walked or wobbled, rather than run. By always went because it made me feel in control amid the madness of those days.
DeleteWhat you are saying that making time to write every day, amid the pressure of other demands, not only ensures that your work progresses, but also makes you feel in control. Thank you.