Working on the long weekend? I am…
I'll be honest.
One of the biggest takeaways from the #k12prWell conversation so far has been the role that boundaries can play in reclaiming your time away from work. So when I kick off a glorious three-day holiday weekend with a 90-minute conference call and another hour of work, I felt some shame creep in.
Here are four reasons why that's nonsense:
It was a demanding week, and I needed a break -- a SERIOUS break -- as my Friday came to a close. Putting away my computer and leaving my phone on the charger, I baked a Papa Murphy's pizza, grabbed a bag of cherry sour balls, and hit the sofa with my 9yo to watch a movie. Then I went to bed early.
I am preparing for a major presentation on Tuesday, as part of a very experienced presentation team. We are competing for a major contract, and that takes effort. In the context of college football Saturday, I feel like a true freshmen being asked to go in on the first snap with a bunch of seniors. I want to not mess up -- but I also want to help this team win. This is an exceptional opportunity, and sometimes that comes with exceptional demand.
I'm collaborating this weekend with a colleague who values my input and expresses gratitude for my time. You know that feeling -- working with someone you get along with easily feels a lot less like work and a lot more like getting creative and solving problems.
I created boundaries, even around this weekend's work. I very consciously closed my e-mail and put away my laptop when I reached the end of a short (but very important) to-do list. It will not creep into my weekend, quite simply, because I will not let it.
If you're interested in boundaries when you're on vacation or using leave time, this is a great read with very practical insights.
I hope YOUR weekend is full of whatever helps you relax and appreciate your life a little more. I'd love to see a tweet about how you're spending your holiday -- use #k12prWell, and tag me @kmagette!
Best,
Kristin
#k12prWell
Shawn McKillop, APR | @ShawnMcKillop on Twitter
Kristin Magette, APR | @kmagette on Twitter