My 2015 Resolution Being on sabbatical has allowed me to reflect -a lot. Back in June 2014, I put an Out-of-office message on my work email. It took about two months and the volume of messages slowed down, but some people were upset to receive it. I decided to turn it off. The volume of emails went right back up, so I decided to put the automatic message back on and leave it on until May 31 2015. Even if I was on sabbatical, many people still expected a response within 24 hours. The truth is, if I get 100 messages per day (which often surpasses that) and I spend 5 minutes responding to each message, this sums up to 8 hours a day solely for email. No wonder my workday spreads over 16 hours. My work involves many duties and responsibilities. I’m a top achiever, a good person and a keener. So not only do I try to do it all, but I try to do it all extremely well and I try to make everyone happy. There is too much to do and every day, I go to sleep exhausted, I feel as though I was not productive, I have not satisfied everyone and I get delays in the projects I really want to do. I have to admit, my European colleagues frustrate me. When I write to them, they take 2-3 weeks to respond and often, I have to write 2 or 3 times to get an answer. They respond briefly, and often leave out some items of my email unanswered. They prefer an appointment to deal with complex things. Me: Really? You mean that I have to figure out when we can both find a time to meet with 5 hours difference? Wow! That is unlikely to happen in the next 3 weeks. The European colleague: Yes. Sorry. I have many projects to work on and this is the time I have. Me (between my lips): Yes, I know. The wine is good in France and you guys write books, not articles ;-) Well, that’s reality. We are human beings. We have to respect that a human being is not a robot. Human is young, a bit whiny and wants an answer in the minute. The truth is that a life thethered to email is stressful. Way too stressful. I am a university professor, which means I am primarily a researcher and a writer and secondarily a teacher. I am not paid to respond to email. I am paid to think, to generate new knowledge, to accompany students through their MAs and PhDs, to create top quality courses that will help prepare professionals in my field excel in their domain. Yes, I teach a few courses, but I also conduct research, prepare grant applications that are often 100 pages long, write articles, book chapters, attend conferences around the world, sit on various committees and supervise dozens of graduate students. Its a tough job and I love it. To do this, however, I have to be full of energy, quick and witty. As the years go by, I realize that I can do a 16-hour work day once in a while, but there is no way I can do this in the long term. I need time to exercise, to prepare good and healthy meals, take care of my family and friends and be a good model of a healthy lifestyle for my students. In 2015, I pledge to myself that I will set my priorities straight. I will accept that I cannot respond to every request and to every email. I will accept that once my workday is over, it’s over. If it frustrates some people, so be it. Tomorrow, Im off to buy a 2nd phone. One that doesn’t have email on and all the other social media through which people reach me. When my workday is over, I will turn off my smartphone and turn on the stupid phone. If you want to talk to me, call me. If I dont answer, its because Im doing something else. That will be my smart way of dealing with 2015.
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 13:11:20 +0000