I'm amazed that we are now at the end of this 15-week session. We do have some housekeeping to discuss--when we do want to start the summer/winter session, and who is interested in hosting or co-hosting? Please let us know in the comments. I will post in the break about the new session (co-)host(s) and timing.
It has been a good session for me--I got more done than I thought I would accomplish. I appreciate everyone's participation, and especially thank Daisy for being a great co-host.
We've listed both the past week's goals and session goals for everyone. Daisy had a mid-session review a few weeks' back, so feel free to concentrate on session goals after that point. Thank you all!
allan wilson
This week's goals:
1) do some reading around the next TLQ project, which I have scheduled to work on with my collaborator for two weeks from the end of next week, so I can see logical progression in data analysis
2) have all the data cleaned up and ready to go by the middle of next week for the above TLQ project
3) cook for a special event next week to remember some of the people we have lost over the last year
Session goals:
1) spend two hours on average each work day writing
2) work on a novel I want to start writing once a week
3) exercise at least three times a week
2) work on a novel I want to start writing once a week
3) exercise at least three times a week
Contingent Cassandra
This week's goals: (from Week 13)
This week's goals: (from Week 13)
1. Increase exercise (walks and weight-lifting and perhaps some gardening, but especially walks)
2. Try to get sleep schedule better coordinated w/ DST and keep up decent eating
3. Make a substantial start on taxes
2. Try to get sleep schedule better coordinated w/ DST and keep up decent eating
3. Make a substantial start on taxes
Session Goals:
--Do whatever I can to support my family members (father, brother, stepmother, nieces and nephews, and sister-in law) during my father's dying process, while also taking care of myself, and keeping up with my basic professional and other commitments.
--Take care of myself, including working exercise and regular sleep into my schedule whenever circumstances allow (and perhaps sometimes when it seems like they don't), and keeping the pantry/freezer stocked with healthy and easy-to-prepare food (for myself and any family members who may end up crashing at my place).
--making continued progress on the most vital TLQ financial/household tasks (taxes et al. and boxes still sums this area up pretty well).
--Take care of myself, including working exercise and regular sleep into my schedule whenever circumstances allow (and perhaps sometimes when it seems like they don't), and keeping the pantry/freezer stocked with healthy and easy-to-prepare food (for myself and any family members who may end up crashing at my place).
--making continued progress on the most vital TLQ financial/household tasks (taxes et al. and boxes still sums this area up pretty well).
Daisy
This week's goals:
1) Mail out samples and make lab visit schedule
2) Outline 2 projects with fancy pretty posters! This will involve a fun trip to the office supply store, something I enjoy way more than most people!
3) Work on revise/resubmit paper (RR for short now)
4) Work on literature review for new projects
5) make up good names for projects so they have cool code names like KJ and JaneB :)
Session goals:
This week's goals:
1) Mail out samples and make lab visit schedule
2) Outline 2 projects with fancy pretty posters! This will involve a fun trip to the office supply store, something I enjoy way more than most people!
3) Work on revise/resubmit paper (RR for short now)
4) Work on literature review for new projects
5) make up good names for projects so they have cool code names like KJ and JaneB :)
Session goals:
1) The three papers in revision right now have to go away, and go away forever...'nuff said...
2) Write the first two papers on new field area.
3) Read more papers - will break this down each week.
4) Get exercise back into my schedule - I'm signed up for a very long race in May to help with inspiration.
2) Write the first two papers on new field area.
3) Read more papers - will break this down each week.
4) Get exercise back into my schedule - I'm signed up for a very long race in May to help with inspiration.
Danne:
This week's goals: (from Week 10)
-Touch thesis daily
-Write daily
Session goals: (unstated)
Earnest English
This week's goals:
1a. Research: 3x
1b. Research: engage with incredible ILL info: 1/6 at least!
1c. Research: send out at least one scary thing this week regarding Little Project
1d. Research: work on sabbatical application
2. Health: eat well, supplements, etc.; get good sleep as often as possible
3. Family: my big thing here is staying on top of Spirited's therapy; he's really into his own things right now, teaching himself all sorts of things, so it's less important for me to really drive the homeschooling right now. Thank goodness. (I am so tired.)
4. Gardening: next weekend: start tomato seeds which hopefully will have come by then
5. Work: Work on Big Report in small bits in order to get it done this week; moderate emotions so it's possible to get anything done when what I really want to have a small tantrum and then slam my office door with my keys in it, tell off some people who really need it, and never darken that door again! (I'm reading Cynthia Kuhn's The Semester of Our Discontent and this is really really helping my morale!!!)
Session goals
This week's goals:
1a. Research: 3x
1b. Research: engage with incredible ILL info: 1/6 at least!
1c. Research: send out at least one scary thing this week regarding Little Project
1d. Research: work on sabbatical application
2. Health: eat well, supplements, etc.; get good sleep as often as possible
3. Family: my big thing here is staying on top of Spirited's therapy; he's really into his own things right now, teaching himself all sorts of things, so it's less important for me to really drive the homeschooling right now. Thank goodness. (I am so tired.)
4. Gardening: next weekend: start tomato seeds which hopefully will have come by then
5. Work: Work on Big Report in small bits in order to get it done this week; moderate emotions so it's possible to get anything done when what I really want to have a small tantrum and then slam my office door with my keys in it, tell off some people who really need it, and never darken that door again! (I'm reading Cynthia Kuhn's The Semester of Our Discontent and this is really really helping my morale!!!)
Session goals
1. Research: In general, I'd like to have gotten my research world back in order. Specifically, by the end of March, I'd like to have gotten my sabbatical application ready. (Ooh, it makes me nervous just to write that.) Send out unpublished Olive Tree branches. And by the end I'd better have long since addressed galleys of Forsythia, which are currently staring reproachfully at me.
2. Health: I'd like to work on getting some movement, centering (meditating, coloring, whatever), and relaxation into my life on a regular joyous (hopefully) basis. This has to be broken up into steps. And vegetables are to be sought out, even if under a blanket of cheese. Salads at Panera are worth the cost (though maybe not the perils of the snowy drive). I also want to maintain a sense of purposeness and centeredness instead of getting so stressed or anxious quite so often. This is all of a piece (peace!) to me. Must move like water more often. It's all good.
3. Reading: I want to read more books. I want to also stop beating myself up about this. I think this means I need to blog the absurdity out of my system. Sometimes one needs to be humiliated out of one's idiocies. I have a blog for this purpose; I need to use it.
4. Family: There are loads of things I want in here so I know that I have to be careful here because that means there's the possibility of making all this into sticks to beat myself with. I want to prepare more meals than I did in Fall. I want to keep up on gardening, when that comes back up. I want to spend more time working with Absurdist Spirited Son on his education, etc. I want to get a babysitter occasionally.
2. Health: I'd like to work on getting some movement, centering (meditating, coloring, whatever), and relaxation into my life on a regular joyous (hopefully) basis. This has to be broken up into steps. And vegetables are to be sought out, even if under a blanket of cheese. Salads at Panera are worth the cost (though maybe not the perils of the snowy drive). I also want to maintain a sense of purposeness and centeredness instead of getting so stressed or anxious quite so often. This is all of a piece (peace!) to me. Must move like water more often. It's all good.
3. Reading: I want to read more books. I want to also stop beating myself up about this. I think this means I need to blog the absurdity out of my system. Sometimes one needs to be humiliated out of one's idiocies. I have a blog for this purpose; I need to use it.
4. Family: There are loads of things I want in here so I know that I have to be careful here because that means there's the possibility of making all this into sticks to beat myself with. I want to prepare more meals than I did in Fall. I want to keep up on gardening, when that comes back up. I want to spend more time working with Absurdist Spirited Son on his education, etc. I want to get a babysitter occasionally.
Elizabeth Anne Mitchell
This week's goals:
1) Return to work ½ hour a day on footnote revisions. If met, reward myself with ½ hour on researching the sabbatical topic.
2) Begin the decluttering and packing for the move. One hour per week day and three hours on weekend days.
3) Plan for 15 minutes--coffee shop or in the car, if necessary.
4) Move like water, float like mist.
Session goals:
This week's goals:
1) Return to work ½ hour a day on footnote revisions. If met, reward myself with ½ hour on researching the sabbatical topic.
2) Begin the decluttering and packing for the move. One hour per week day and three hours on weekend days.
3) Plan for 15 minutes--coffee shop or in the car, if necessary.
4) Move like water, float like mist.
Session goals:
I want to make substantial progress on my critical edition. It has been hanging around for more than a decade, and I just have the commentary and footnotes to finish.
I want to finish a short story for submission at the end of April.
I want to get in better shape, once I’m cleared for exercise. I need to resume walking, and may have to hit the recumbent bike in the gym as well.
I want to finish a short story for submission at the end of April.
I want to get in better shape, once I’m cleared for exercise. I need to resume walking, and may have to hit the recumbent bike in the gym as well.
Good Enough Woman
This week's Goals:
1) Read two chapters of criticism from the interesting book.
2) Write 500 words for intro.
3) Accept a very low standard of teaching this week.
4) Try to move like water during all of the TLQ grading.
5) Be a kind and gracious host to my mother-in-law this weekend even if I am stressed about work.
6) Take care of that financial thing for my daughter.
Session goals:
This week's Goals:
1) Read two chapters of criticism from the interesting book.
2) Write 500 words for intro.
3) Accept a very low standard of teaching this week.
4) Try to move like water during all of the TLQ grading.
5) Be a kind and gracious host to my mother-in-law this weekend even if I am stressed about work.
6) Take care of that financial thing for my daughter.
Session goals:
1) Write a solid draft of the introduction for thesis
2) Revise Chapter 1 (I'll call it Spy)
3) Revise Chapter 2 (I'll call it Magic)
4) Revise Chapter 3 (I'll call it Authority)
5) Submit at least one article for publication (probably one based on Spy)
6) Maintain exercise (5x per week of at least 20-40 minutes)
7) Eat more veggies
8) At least two special activities with kids per month (outdoor adventures, craft projects, etc.)
2) Revise Chapter 1 (I'll call it Spy)
3) Revise Chapter 2 (I'll call it Magic)
4) Revise Chapter 3 (I'll call it Authority)
5) Submit at least one article for publication (probably one based on Spy)
6) Maintain exercise (5x per week of at least 20-40 minutes)
7) Eat more veggies
8) At least two special activities with kids per month (outdoor adventures, craft projects, etc.)
heu mihi
This week's Goals:
1) Finish skimming LT; should take about 3 hours
2) Read one J article/chapter
3) Read and comment on two essays for conference
4) Class stuff: grade papers (at least half of them), read O, read CdP
5) Read another J article/chapter (I really need to move on this)
6) Reread/revise last 1/3 of ch. 3
Session goals:
This week's Goals:
1) Finish skimming LT; should take about 3 hours
2) Read one J article/chapter
3) Read and comment on two essays for conference
4) Class stuff: grade papers (at least half of them), read O, read CdP
5) Read another J article/chapter (I really need to move on this)
6) Reread/revise last 1/3 of ch. 3
Session goals:
1) Finish drafting ch. 3
2) Write/prepare a talk that I'm giving on March 8
3) Write Kalamazoo paper (for mid-May)
4) Get research for ch. 6 underway
Humming42
This week's goals:
1 Write and submit abstract for book chapter
2 Type up marginalia and notes from six articles
3 Write to Important Contact with update on paper #1
Session goals:
1 Make consistent progress on manuscript revision (setting and meeting weekly goals)
2 Write and submit short contracted biography piece
3 Write two thoughtful and well-researched conference presentations
4 Make sound decisions about other writing projects (learning how to say no to myself)
2) Write/prepare a talk that I'm giving on March 8
3) Write Kalamazoo paper (for mid-May)
4) Get research for ch. 6 underway
Humming42
This week's goals:
1 Write and submit abstract for book chapter
2 Type up marginalia and notes from six articles
3 Write to Important Contact with update on paper #1
Session goals:
1 Make consistent progress on manuscript revision (setting and meeting weekly goals)
2 Write and submit short contracted biography piece
3 Write two thoughtful and well-researched conference presentations
4 Make sound decisions about other writing projects (learning how to say no to myself)
JaneB
This week's goals: (from Week 13)
1) 2 hours on Dr Visit paper
2) block out Ferretty paper (I get a week off Picky Paper because that has some momentum now and is better suited to working on around grading and the like (and for now on my office PC which has a faster processer)).
3) daily at least half hours on chaos reduction
4) make 3 phone calls I keep putting off (cattery and two self-care appointments I need to make)
5) search 3 piles for the damn passport
Session Goals:
This week's goals: (from Week 13)
1) 2 hours on Dr Visit paper
2) block out Ferretty paper (I get a week off Picky Paper because that has some momentum now and is better suited to working on around grading and the like (and for now on my office PC which has a faster processer)).
3) daily at least half hours on chaos reduction
4) make 3 phone calls I keep putting off (cattery and two self-care appointments I need to make)
5) search 3 piles for the damn passport
Session Goals:
1) plan my conference-going for the year, including abstract submission dates, topics etc.
2) either find and renew my lost and expired passport or just apply for a new one from scratch
3) set up and launch a web page for the project I nickname Gallimaufry
4) make some substantial progress on the paper nicknamed Picky Paper and on either Ferret or Fancy (which are from team projects so not entirely under my control)
5) take small steps every week to make my domestic environment and self-care more of a priority
2) either find and renew my lost and expired passport or just apply for a new one from scratch
3) set up and launch a web page for the project I nickname Gallimaufry
4) make some substantial progress on the paper nicknamed Picky Paper and on either Ferret or Fancy (which are from team projects so not entirely under my control)
5) take small steps every week to make my domestic environment and self-care more of a priority
Karen
This week's goals: (from Week 7)
1. Exercise x3
2. No crazy late nights
3. Hold Friday afternoon writing time
4. Move like water and calmly get all the pieces in place for beginning of semester.
This week's goals: (from Week 7)
1. Exercise x3
2. No crazy late nights
3. Hold Friday afternoon writing time
4. Move like water and calmly get all the pieces in place for beginning of semester.
Session Goals:
1. Submit co-authored paper (let's call it Earth)
2. Revisit older conference paper (call it Body) and have a complete draft of an expanded paper for journal submission.
3. Find an exercise routine that works for me
4. Be prepared for major research fieldwork in late March-early April.
1. Submit co-authored paper (let's call it Earth)
2. Revisit older conference paper (call it Body) and have a complete draft of an expanded paper for journal submission.
3. Find an exercise routine that works for me
4. Be prepared for major research fieldwork in late March-early April.
KJHaxton
This week's goals: (from Week 13)
This week's goals: (from Week 13)
Acronym report needs some serious time and effort.
And tidying a bit more.
Session Goals:
1. Write scary paper 2 and scary paper 1
2. Develop research tools for Loop and Kermit
3. 25 hand crafted items.
2. Develop research tools for Loop and Kermit
3. 25 hand crafted items.
Kris
This week's goals: (from Week 5)
This week's goals: (from Week 5)
1. Finish the paper and send to group for comments
2. Pitch a short piece to the media
3. Sort out commitments to grant I don't like.
4. Keep up to date with my admin & leadership responsibilities.
Session goal:
I want to revise, commit to, and work my research plan for the year (tight plan) and the following two years (looser plan), and to put that plan first in my decisions to say 'yes' or 'no' to 'opportunities' that arise.
I want to revise, commit to, and work my research plan for the year (tight plan) and the following two years (looser plan), and to put that plan first in my decisions to say 'yes' or 'no' to 'opportunities' that arise.
Matilda
This week's goals: (from Week 2)
This week's goals: (from Week 2)
1) Finish the paper.
2) Start to write the short article.
3) Write documents for my sabbatical 2017.
4) Have less snacks at night.
5) Exercise for 5 minutes three times a day
Session goals:
1) Write chapter 2 of my planned book.
2) Revise chapter 1 of my book.
3) Write two short articles.
4) Live a healthier life.
2) Revise chapter 1 of my book.
3) Write two short articles.
4) Live a healthier life.
scottishwinter
This Week's goals: (from Week 2)
This Week's goals: (from Week 2)
1) Finalise last Semester’s grades and get through exam boards
2) Hand over one big admin role to colleague
3) Draft of one grant application
4) 2x 1 hour article writing sessions
5) 2x 1 hour translation sessions
6) No work at the weekend.
Session Goals:
1) Only check emails at my desk, never before work and maybe twice at weekends
2) Yoga and exercise every week
3) Apply for several grants to buy me out for research leave
4) Say no to all conference / talk invitations
5) Finish two articles that have been nearly finished for ages
6) Finish translation of book for children (fun!)
2) Yoga and exercise every week
3) Apply for several grants to buy me out for research leave
4) Say no to all conference / talk invitations
5) Finish two articles that have been nearly finished for ages
6) Finish translation of book for children (fun!)
Susan
This week's goals:
1. File expenses from foreign travel
2. Look at article that needs revision, make plan
3. Clear out garage for town "clean-up days" and get rid of rusty old bookcase and junk I don't want.
4. Pull three weeds (well, I'll pull more, but if my goal is three, it feels manageable
5. Gym three times, walk twice
Session Goals:
This week's goals:
1. File expenses from foreign travel
2. Look at article that needs revision, make plan
3. Clear out garage for town "clean-up days" and get rid of rusty old bookcase and junk I don't want.
4. Pull three weeds (well, I'll pull more, but if my goal is three, it feels manageable
5. Gym three times, walk twice
Session Goals:
1. Finish book ms. (I have maybe 2 days of work before I can send it to a press.)
2. Work on Conference Paper revision, due probably some time in April.
3. Keep up with regular exercise, and add in at least one walking morning a week.
4. Stop checking email on Sunday.
5. Strive to keep up with 7 hours sleep nightly
2. Work on Conference Paper revision, due probably some time in April.
3. Keep up with regular exercise, and add in at least one walking morning a week.
4. Stop checking email on Sunday.
5. Strive to keep up with 7 hours sleep nightly
Thank you to Daisy, my co-host, and to the group for your comments and support this session. It has been much appreciated. I am certainly interested in signing up again, although I think with a course I’m starting Monday and the move, I would like to wait to host or co-host again.
ReplyDeleteLast week’s goals:
1) Return to work ½ hour a day on footnote revisions. If met, reward myself with ½ hour on researching the sabbatical topic. Yes! I got at least a half-hour every day, and had a “write-in” with a local author friend on Friday night, and managed 1.5 hours on Friday as a result.
2) Begin the decluttering and packing for the move. One hour per week day and three hours on weekend days. Yes, so far I’ve held to this schedule.
3) Plan for 15 minutes--coffee shop or in the car, if necessary. Yes!
4) Move like water, float like mist. Mostly. The landlord has decided to try to sell our rental house, so we have the added stress of making it “show ready” in the midst of packing. I understand his wanting to do this, but it is an added stress to try to hide all the boxes.
Analysis:
There were a lot of car repairs and house stuff to do this week, which made getting things done interesting. We had the home inspection on Thursday, which was a nice chance to measure windows for curtains and rooms for furniture. It was especially nice that the inspector summed up by saying we had picked a good house.
I also decided that getting the footnotes and other TLQ things done were important, and I ended up setting aside more time to do them during my work day.
Maintaining a level head was a bit more difficult. My sons were upset that they will have to vacate the house and take our Standard Poodle with them whenever anyone wants to see the house. They are not used to having people troop through their rooms, and I have to admit, I am not a great fan either. I bristle a little at the suggestion that our clutter “doesn’t show the house at its best,” when honestly I think the landlord not wanting to fix anything for over a decade is far more detrimental to the showing of the house at its best. We had two big dogs when we were looking, so weren’t spoiled for choice, but this place is no prize.
Session goals:
I want to make substantial progress on my critical edition. It has been hanging around for more than a decade, and I just have the commentary and footnotes to finish. I have made intermittent progress, but progress just the same, on the critical edition. I have found I actually enjoy working on it again.
I want to finish a short story for submission at the end of April. I had to abandon the short story, which was a pity, but I will return to it at some point.
I want to get in better shape, once I’m cleared for exercise. I need to resume walking, and may have to hit the recumbent bike in the gym as well. I failed miserably at this goal. I was walking for the better part of the semester, but started to have pain and swelling in one of my feet. I am waiting for new orthotics that should solve the problems, but in the meantime I am sidelined.
I hope everyone has a wonderful break, and I look forward to catching up with all of you in the next session.
Oh no! I hate it when the session ends! I'm on the quarter system, so I'm only a couple weeks into the quarter. I need TLQ! I look forward to checking in on the weekend, and it really helps, especially during the hateful quarter (spring) when so many academics are already free and planning their summers while I'm still trying to get what little I can get done slogging through classes. I don't know that I'd be a great host here, but I'd be willing to try co-hosting with someone if others are interested. For me, that would be continuing at least the next 8 or so weeks. (Until a new TLQ session begins, I think I have to do TLQ on my blog. I need it!)
ReplyDeleteThis week's goals:
1a. Research: 3x: DONE!
1b. Research: engage with incredible ILL info: 1/6 at least! A BIT!
1c. Research: send out at least one scary thing this week regarding Little Project NOPE
1d. Research: work on sabbatical application NOPE
2. Health: eat well, supplements, etc.; get good sleep as often as possible YES
3. Family: my big thing here is staying on top of Spirited's therapy; he's really into his own things right now, teaching himself all sorts of things, so it's less important for me to really drive the homeschooling right now. Thank goodness. (I am so tired.) YES
4. Gardening: next weekend: start tomato seeds which hopefully will have come by then DID SOME GARDENING. HOPEFULLY WILL GET TOMATO SEEDS STARTED TODAY.
5. Work: Work on Big Report in small bits in order to get it done this week; moderate emotions so it's possible to get anything done when what I really want to have a small tantrum and then slam my office door with my keys in it, tell off some people who really need it, and never darken that door again! (I'm reading Cynthia Kuhn's The Semester of Our Discontent and this is really really helping my morale!!!) REPORT FIRST DRAFT DONE, BUT NEED TO GET THE REST DONE; HAD AN ERRGH WEEK
Analysis
Oh this week was very challenging. It started off with a very bad meeting and by Wednesday, I hated everyone and everything. But I did learn something important about my schedule. Teaching after service obligations that make me mad is a very bad idea. Next year I plan on refusing this service obligation and then will reorganize my schedule so I have only two days of hell and then a light day. (I can't do that now.) (I wish I could do it now because that service obligation makes me so mad! I never realized that teaching after that service obligation would be so hard! This wasn't so bad last year, though it's important to note how much leadership matters when it comes to these peskier kinds of service. I may have to have this schedule again in the fall, but after that -- no more!) This was a week from hell. Next week should be a tiny bit better, and the next week should be even better, though by then I'll have grading coming in.
Session goals
Delete1. Research: In general, I'd like to have gotten my research world back in order. Specifically, by the end of March, I'd like to have gotten my sabbatical application ready. (Ooh, it makes me nervous just to write that.) Send out unpublished Olive Tree branches. And by the end I'd better have long since addressed galleys of Forsythia, which are currently staring reproachfully at me. OVERALL: Sabbatical is not done, but recommitted to. All Olive Tree branches are out. Forsythia is completely done and out the door and requires some distribution work (but at least not galleys). I've developed more ambitious goals on Secondary Field Project and have done pretty well in spite of having such limited time. So decent, if not ideal, progress on this front.
2. Health: I'd like to work on getting some movement, centering (meditating, coloring, whatever), and relaxation into my life on a regular joyous (hopefully) basis. This has to be broken up into steps. And vegetables are to be sought out, even if under a blanket of cheese. Salads at Panera are worth the cost (though maybe not the perils of the snowy drive). I also want to maintain a sense of purposeness and centeredness instead of getting so stressed or anxious quite so often. This is all of a piece (peace!) to me. Must move like water more often. It's all good. OVERALL: I couldn't begin some kind of movement plan with my injury. Recovery from injury is going well. I've done okay with moderating emotions and moving like water, though there've been serious challenges to that in the form of really insulting and difficult work encounters. I am definitely getting better at making a line between work and family time though. Interestingly, though I buy books about managing stress and anxiety, I pretty much suck at following through without accountability. It's pretty clear to me that I have to approach this like an exercise plan with accountability and TIME to focus on it. I have too many projects to try to add one like this during the academic year. So: lesson learned there. Work on both physical movement and mental calmitude more during summer.
3. Reading: I want to read more books. I want to also stop beating myself up about this. I think this means I need to blog the absurdity out of my system. Sometimes one needs to be humiliated out of one's idiocies. I have a blog for this purpose; I need to use it. DONE!
4. Family: There are loads of things I want in here so I know that I have to be careful here because that means there's the possibility of making all this into sticks to beat myself with. I want to prepare more meals than I did in Fall. I want to keep up on gardening, when that comes back up. I want to spend more time working with Absurdist Spirited Son on his education, etc. I want to get a babysitter occasionally. OVERALL: I've made few meals and worked only a little on Spirited's education. I've committed myself to his exercises though, which I think has to be the focus. So I've done okay on this.
So overall, I think I've learned I have to be more realistic. I'm happy I'm more committed to research and taking care of myself, even if that means I seem to get less done (which is not actually true because if I can keep more balance overall, then I have less downtime overall too).
And now, I'm going to go back to my blog to set up some goals for this week!
I hope everyone has a wonderful break from TLQ! Move like water! Float like mist! Grade like tortoise! I'll be waiting for TLQ to start up again.
You had a lot on your plate this session, Earnest, and I think you made great progress on many fronts. I struggle with balance, too, in that I hare off after the things I want to do, and have to have someone haul on the leash to bring me back to the stuff I don't want to do.
DeleteI can especially relate to the anger at badly-led service obligations. I hate stupid, wasted, meetings, and yet I spend well over three hours a day in exactly those kind of meetings--they are seen as a commitment to "getting things done" at my shop, when they are inimical to getting anything done! Okay, rant over!
And good news! Everyone wants a summer TLQ, and many have volunteered, so it will certainly happen. Also, thank you for "Grade like tortoise!" I actually spewed my tea all over myself when I read that--classic!
EAM, sorry about the spewed tea! =)
DeleteSO happy to hear other people want to continue TLQ. And that others are happy to co-host. I love TLQ!
How can it be the end of the TLQ session? I have about ten weeks still to go, despite being on a two-semester system...
ReplyDeleteI offered to host or co-host the summer/winter/long "vacation" session back last year, and am still definitely up for that - I think a session which runs from the beginning of May to the end of August has worked for most people in previous years? My academic year starts somewhere between 1st August (we're allowed to spend money again (yay!) but become completely reorganised into a new entity and departments cease to exist (boo!) and the last week of September (we get flooded with students - lost/confused access and first years, third years who haven't done any of their summer work for Variably (Un)Believable reasons, and occasionally wonder where the second years are (in the bar/at the parties they were too shy to go to in first year)). Howeevr I think the end of August/first of September is the usual new year in the US semester system?
Yes, JaneB, the US semester usually begins the end of August. I agree that a beginning of May to end of August session works well.
DeleteI agree on the May-August session... would be willing to co-host, except I've got vacation (real vacation) scheduled for July, so it's probably not a good idea!
DeleteI'd be happy to do it solo, perhaps with cover for the odd week - I'm here most of the summer, I think...
DeleteI'd be happy to co-host. Beginning of May-end of August comprises my summer break, along with my writing & research block, so it works well for me.
DeleteI would love a May-August session. Although I'll be on vacation for a few weeks, I'll be hitting things hard to try to finish the PhD thesis. EEP! I can cover a week or two here and there for other co-hosts.
DeleteMay-August works for me, too. I may take some substantial periods away from the internet at the beginning and end of the summer, so I'm probably not the best co-host, *but* I will be teaching online in July, so if a week or two in that period needs to be covered, I could easily do so, and would be happy to.
DeleteI'll be back to do a real check-in sometime today (sorry for disappearing -- busy week), but wanted to chime in w/ this info.
Too many volunteers, what a nice situation! :-) I can't do the 'Fall/Spring' session (September-December ish) as it's going to be especially unpleasant - new VLE, new StudentInfoSystem (the computer system that handles all the stuff like grades), new organisation (we're being Schoolified, so the department will cease to exist and we'll have a new multi-layer management structure), administrative changes (all office staff move to a 'colocated hub' outside out building for efficiency reasons), new Curriculum (for the first years - and I'm running two core modules, one third of the teaching for the entire year group), what looks like a record-size intake and the lab space I use most often is being refurbished this summer and is most unlikely to be finished in time for teaching to start. In fact, reading that, I won't be doing Spring/Fall (January to Easter) either! So I would like to do this one... with whatever cohosting arrangements suit the rest of you! :-)
DeleteIf it's good for everyone else, I'll happily cohost the May-August with JaneB.
DeleteI had a good time at the family weekend, but didn't sleep great, and it "used all my spoons", then last week was more energy-demanding than anticipated, so in an attempt at self-care I came home, ate, reread light novels until I felt sleepy and went to bed, rather than doing any computering. Probably healthy, but quite boring! So goals carried over...
ReplyDeletegoals from Week 13:
1) 2 hours on Dr Visit paper assuming this was the second paper, it is sent back off. And the first one is back... sigh... DrVisit is too efficient!!
2) block out Ferretty paper (I get a week off Picky Paper because that has some momentum now and is better suited to working on around grading and the like (and for now on my office PC which has a faster processer)).no - but see above, finished the DrVisit paper, so I'll accept that as a substitute
3) daily at least half hours on chaos reduction it petered out a bit, and failed after the weekend, but I have done a bit more!
4) make 3 phone calls I keep putting off (cattery and two self-care appointments I need to make) done, appointments attended, cattery booked, one followup appointment booked, and a financial thing looked into
5) search 3 piles for the damn passport no joy
Session Goals:
1) plan my conference-going for the year, including abstract submission dates, topics etc. planned, and cattery booked. Otherwise not quite so done...
2) either find and renew my lost and expired passport or just apply for a new one from scratch no. Must Do
3) set up and launch a web page for the project I nickname Gallimaufry this was held up by various things, mostly that the two ECRs who were going to help (and who had the word-press-fu needed) changed jobs, moved location etc., so it ended up on me. I DO have the site put together, and proofed, so I just need to make a few edits and launch the thing.
4) make some substantial progress on the paper nicknamed Picky Paper and on either Ferret or Fancy (which are from team projects so not entirely under my control) Picky Paper has made progress; I now know what shape it's going to be and have worked through most of the emotional reaction stuff (although there will be another burst of childish resentment and woulda-coulda whining when I write the first part of the main contents) - just have to work through another 30-45 hours of simulation running and results organising... just... Ferret is untouched. Fancy... well, PDF is the lead, and says some small things are happening, but nothing has made it to my desk.
5) take small steps every week to make my domestic environment and self-care more of a priority maybe every other week. But in a slightly better place than the start of the session, so I'll call that a win!
I have also worked on and substantially advanced two papers with DrVisit, had a nice weekend with family, and the paper Repeater that I was working on before Christmas has finally been accepted by the journal that was a bit of a stretch, so yay for (slow) progress!
Yay indeed for progress (of any kind/velocity)! And especially yay for getting into the "stretch" journal (hope that's good for those nasty metrics they're using to evaluate your research productivity these days; if that's enough to get a few more points, or whatever, for the same paper, that's kind of ridiculous, but good news given that you're already stuck with the ridiculous system).
DeleteI too forgot to say thank you for hosting! There've been some great prompts this session...
DeleteSlow progress is progress, especially for things that are rarely on the to-do list. You made good progress on the things you could control, so yay for you on that!
DeleteI'm surprised it's the end of the session already.
ReplyDeleteThis week's goals:
1. File expenses from foreign travel: DONE
2. Look at article that needs revision, make plan NO
3. Clear out garage for town "clean-up days" and get rid of rusty old bookcase and junk I don't want. DONE -- more stuff than I expected, too!
4. Pull three weeds (well, I'll pull more, but if my goal is three, it feels manageable) DONE, and even a few more. Haven't deadheaded roses, but I did plant a tomato.
5. Gym three times, walk twice NO -- I got a little bug in the middle of the week (I know I'm sick when I look at delicious food and feel sick) so just bagged a couple of days of exercise.
Analysis: there was a maternal crisis early in the week, and the end of the semester LOTS OF MEETINGS time is on us. . . But clearing the decks, and I have a couple of real batches of free time to look at the paper next week (and I've put it out in front of my computer, so I can't miss it!)
Session Goals:
1. Finish book ms. (I have maybe 2 days of work before I can send it to a press.) DONE
2. Work on Conference Paper revision, due probably some time in April. NO
3. Keep up with regular exercise, and add in at least one walking morning a week. YES -- on exercise, no on walking. Sigh.
4. Stop checking email on Sunday. FAIL. But I prepare class on Sunday, so of course I'm online, and . . .
5. Strive to keep up with 7 hours sleep nightly: PRETTY MUCH. It's been harder when I stay up too late preparing class (a new course is indeed hard work) but otherwise I'm doing well.
It's been a successful session, by and large. I dealt with a big issue around my book ms successfully (I think), and am on track with that. My mother's health has improved, and that's a gift -- I really didn't know when we started whether she'd survive (and she has said she didn't either.) Some unpleasant stuff at work, but also (recently) some more positive stuff. I've kept pretty healthy, slept pretty well, and stayed active. All this strikes me as pretty good.
Thank you, Elizabeth Anne and Daisy for being excellent hosts! I realize this group of people has come to be a key support for me, and I am incredibly grateful for it. As I mentioned in response to JaneB, I'm willing to host for the summer, except I'm disappearing for most of July...
I'm very glad that your mom has stabilized, and you'll get some more time together. That is, indeed, a gift (though also, of course, a continuing source of anxiety over what will happen and when; I'm aware that I'm relieved to be relieved of that anxiety, even as I'm profoundly ambivalent about being relieved. Life is complicated).
DeleteAnd hurrah for being on track with the book ms, and at least some more positive stuff at work, and good self-care.
I'm glad you have more time with your mother, Susan. I'm in the middle of the anniversaries of my mother's and father's deaths, so I am especially sensitive to the gift of time.
DeleteIt sounds like a very successful session for you, and that is an accomplishment in the midst of the personal upheavals. It's very good that you have kept healthy, too.
Wow! Already? Two weeks of classes left over here, so I don't feel...finished. Which is good, I guess, because my conference paper is not at all written.
ReplyDeleteSo here's the week:
1) Finish skimming LT; should take about 3 hours DONE
2) Read one J article/chapter DONE—Skimmed a chapter
3) Read and comment on two essays for conference DONE
4) Class stuff: grade papers (at least half of them), read O, read CdP DONE (mostly; haven’t finished O, but that’s okay)
5) Read another J article/chapter (I really need to move on this) NOT DONE
6) Reread/revise last 1/3 of ch. 3 NOT DONE
I actually stopped working on research stuff late in the week, and allowed teaching and another (semi-last-minute, but interesting) obligation take over Thursday and Friday. I decided to finish as much teaching stuff as possible, and hang out with my family, and *then* get back into writing next week. This was a good choice.
Session goals:
1) Finish drafting ch. 3 — I have a complete draft, but it’s definitely messy. Still, let’s say: DONE.
2) Write/prepare a talk that I'm giving on March 8 — Done
3) Write Kalamazoo paper (for mid-May) —Not done; I have like 3 weeks still!
4) Get research for ch. 6 underway —Not done, although I read primary source and did some thinking
This doesn't look so good. But there was more stuff: a Revise & Resubmit that took a HUGE amount of time (but that I think I did a good job on--here's hoping!), a graduate seminar that I'd never taught before and that required intensive weekly prep, co-chairing the undergrad studies committee as we revised our major (OK, that actually wasn't all that much work, but it *sounds* impressive, doesn't it?). In the end, I don't feel like I got much done, but in fact I believe that I really did.... That's probably the best I can do. Writing is so slow, isn't it?
And--I forgot to say--thank you for hosting! And thanks to everyone who participated for being supportive group. I'm not much of a commenter, I know, but I really enjoyed reading your updates and knowing that everyone else is out there plugging away.
DeleteI like the way you framed your end-of-week as a clear choice to feel good about. I think we need to do such framing more often.
DeleteI think that you got a lot accomplished this session, heu mihi. The whole thing about TLQ is that it is rarely on the radar, and so semesters go by that nothing is done on it. Thus, any movement on it is to be applauded.
DeleteAnd you have hit the proverbial nail--writing is slow and hard. I have refinished furniture in less time!
I’m with Earnest English, JaneB, and everyone else...how this possibly be the end?! Thanks you, Daisy and Elizabeth Anne for hosting. Your prompts have been provocative and inspiring, and I have appreciated your guidance.
ReplyDeleteLast week's goals:
1 Write and submit abstract for book chapter: done
2 Type up marginalia and notes from six articles: done, I think.
3 Write to Important Contact with update on paper #1: not done, but thinking about it
Session goals:
1 Make consistent progress on manuscript revision (setting and meeting weekly goals): somewhat
2 Write and submit short contracted biography piece: done
3 Write two thoughtful and well-researched conference presentations: done
4 Make sound decisions about other writing projects (learning how to say no to myself): done mostly
Analysis:
I somewhat met the goals related to manuscript revision because it took a long time for me to finally set goals. Once I did, I have come close to keeping up with them. The summer will be intense for writing, but I am really looking forward to it. I have a book chapter and a journal article to complete as well, but the chapter will be an expansion of a journal article and the new article is drawn from a conference paper. All of it on topics that I find deeply engaging.
The conference presentations last week were not as strong or as well researched as I had hoped, but both were well received. And the conference itself was a pleasure. I’m hopeful that I am making good decisions, not overloading myself and trying to take on more projects than I can realistically manage. There was one journal article...I sent an inquiry to the editor, who followed up to tell me the deadline had been extended, and I tried to quickly finish an article for which I had not done nearly enough research. With hope, I’ll use that experience to make better choices in the future.
It is really tough to make those decisions, Humming, especially when we are programmed to jump at all publishing opportunities that come our way. I think you learned a lot from that experience, and good for you!
DeleteThank you, Daisy and Elizabeth for co-hosting this session. I have enjoyed your prompts and have appreciated your comments.
ReplyDeleteLike others, I would like to participate in a summer or "intercession" group. I'm happy to fill in some gaps and help other hosts. I've got some big TLQ goals to deal with!
This week's Goals:
1) Read two chapters of criticism from the interesting book. YES.
2) Write 500 words for intro. NO.
3) Accept a very low standard of teaching this week. YES! And it wasn't too bad.
4) Try to move like water during all of the TLQ grading. YES. Still swimming.
5) Be a kind and gracious host to my mother-in-law this weekend even if I am stressed about work. YES.
6) Take care of that financial thing for my daughter. NO.
Session goals:
1) Write a solid draft of the introduction for thesis. MEH. I have about 5,000 words. It's not done, but it's a start.
2) Revise Chapter 1 (I'll call it Spy). NOT DONE. I've made notes and plans.
3) Revise Chapter 2 (I'll call it Magic). NOT DONE. I've made notes and plans.
4) Revise Chapter 3 (I'll call it Authority). NOT DONE.
5) Submit at least one article for publication (probably one based on Spy). NO. I set this goal aside.
6) Maintain exercise (5x per week of at least 20-40 minutes). NOT EVEN CLOSE.
7) Eat more veggies. AT FIRST. But then not so much.
8) At least two special activities with kids per month (outdoor adventures, craft projects, etc.). PROBABLY.
Well, this doesn't look so good, but I really have kept more thesis momentum than usual. And I do have some writing down for the intro, and I do have some clear plans for the chapter revisions with clear editing notes on the first two. So I think (God, I hope) I can get these things done by mid-June, which is really my more serious deadline for these tasks.
You can. I haven't had the experience of doing it while juggling any serious other responsibilities except teaching (well, come to think of it, I was on the governing board at church, but I didn't have a family), but it does sort of take over at the end, and you get in a zone (and then you're absolutely exhausted and somewhat at loose ends, even if there's plenty else on your plate, but done).
DeleteYMMV, of course, but I think that's a pretty common experience at the end. I have one grad school friend who just kept writing steadily every day and one day she was done, but I think she's the exception to the rule, at least among the people I know. We may not generally be binge writers (or may have settled down since the diss), but the ends of big (and small) projects, especially those with deadlines, seem to bring out the binge writer in many of us, and that's probably a natural part of the process.
I agree with Cassandra. I knew only one fellow who sat in a coffee shop every day to write, and one day finished. Everyone else was like me: for my Master's thesis, I read and thought and agonized for almost a year, then sat down and wrote 68 pages in three days. It was like channeling the writing goddess. I bet that is what will happen with you, GEW.
DeleteAllan Wilson
ReplyDeleteMany thanks to Daisy and Elizabeth for co-hosting the session. Actually I can't believe the time has gone so fast- its a bit scary how it just keeps rolling. I really appreciate everyone who has had a go at doing this. I'm keen to stay in the group- I find it a real help in prioritising activity, and getting inspiration, even when I am hopeless about checking in and getting stuff done. Excited to see the May-august session shaping up, and being back amongst friends again.
Session goals:
1) spend two hours on average each work day writing
I improved on this, although it was rather haphazard. Nevertheless, better than before
2) work on a novel I want to start writing once a week. I didn't get much done on this. Mostly, I think, I just had too much work and not enough energy, so I need to think about managing my time and energy more
3) exercise at least three times a week - this goal was a real success, mostly because my family started walking with me in the evenings, which helped heaps.
Last week's goals:
1) do some reading around the next TLQ project, which I have scheduled to work on with my collaborator for two weeks from the end of next week, so I can see logical progression in data analysis - KIND OF
2) have all the data cleaned up and ready to go by the middle of next week for the above TLQ project -ARGGH Just trying to finish this now
3) cook for a special event next week to remember some of the people we have lost over the last year -YES, and it was wonderful
Thank you all! I feel like I get better at remembering to check in weekly the more I do this. I also can't believe we're mid-April.
ReplyDeleteThis week's goals: (from Week 13)
Acronym report needs some serious time and effort.
And tidying a bit more.
- I tidied quite a bit, actually more than I should have time-wise. This put me a bit behind on other things so Acronym didn't get worked on. I did get a notice board put up in my office to start using it for project planning type stuff.
Session Goals:
1. Write scary paper 2 and scary paper 1
2. Develop research tools for Loop and Kermit
3. 25 hand crafted items.
Scary paper 2 is written and published. Gemstone also got published in this period. Scary paper 1 is much as it was in mid-January: patiently waiting time and devotion.
Kermit research tools are done and deployed, and an abstract on Kermit has been accepted for a conference so now it is data analysis and next steps. Loop...is in waiting, hoping a student will pick this one up.
Hand crafted items - 2.5 hats, a few cards, a few more knitted squares, a cake and a few seeds planted in the garden. Not bad.
I am also over half way through my target of 52 books for the year!
I'm glad semester is winding down and I'm looking forward to summer.
Thanks to everyone for participating in this session and group! It is the interactions and support that makes it so valuable. Looking forward to "seeing " everyone again for the next session.
ReplyDeleteThis week's goals:
1) Mail out samples and make lab visit schedule DONE
2) Outline 2 projects with fancy pretty posters! This will involve a fun trip to the office supply store, something I enjoy way more than most people! SORT OF, time disappeared into grading jungle...
3) Work on revise/resubmit paper (RR for short now) YES
4) Work on literature review for new projects YES
5) make up good names for projects so they have cool code names like KJ and JaneB :) COULDN'T THINK OF ANY, sadly they didn't seem right.
Not a bad session for overall goals - the most important thing was to get the zombie papers published, and they are done now. I think I made some decent progress on new projects, and they will go well over the summer.
I am mostly happy with how teaching went, close enough for now.
Session goals:
1) The three papers in revision right now have to go away, and go away forever...'nuff said... 2 IN PRESS, ONE REVISING
2) Write the first two papers on new field area. ONE IS ON TRACK, other one will wait.
3) Read more papers - will break this down each week. YES for new field area.
4) Get exercise back into my schedule - I'm signed up for a very long race in May to help with inspiration. COMPLETE FAIL...
Summer goals will be RESEARCH and RUNNING, and very little else :)
Sorry for last week's missing and this week's late check-ins. Last week was full of student conferences and events surrounding a memorial service for my father on Saturday (which went well); Monday of this week took a sad and surprising turn when I sat down to write a close friend from K-12 days with whom I'd lost touch a catching-up note, googled to check her address, and learned that her husband (who was in his early 50s) died last month. I'm still absorbing that news, and figuring out how best to get in touch (I think I've found a street address, and an email for her daughter, so I'll move forward on that today).
ReplyDeleteI really liked last week's prompt, too. I think the short answer is I want to do more writing, though some forms of/audiences for that would be more ambitious than others. Anyway, it (like many of the prompts for this session -- I add my thanks Daisy and Elizabeth Anne) primed my thinking, even if I didn't post.
Since my check-in for the last two weeks would sound pretty familiar (mixed success), I think I'll just skip to the session check-in (goals in straight case; commentary in italics):
Session Goals:
Delete1. Do whatever I can to support my family members (father, brother, stepmother, nieces and nephews, and sister-in law) during my father's dying process, while also taking care of myself, and keeping up with my basic professional and other commitments.
I think I did a pretty good job of this. We all (even my quite-difficult stepmother) supported each other pretty well during the process and aftermath of Dad's dying, and I'm about as well on top of my professional commitments as usual at this time of year (which means not completely). Self-care was a bit spottier, but adequate (see below). These aspects of life will continue to be crucial in the months to come.
2. Take care of myself, including working exercise and regular sleep into my schedule whenever circumstances allow (and perhaps sometimes when it seems like they don't), and keeping the pantry/freezer stocked with healthy and easy-to-prepare food (for myself and any family members who may end up crashing at my place).
There was more pre-prepared and less homemade food, and much less exercise, than I planned, but overall I'm reasonably satisfied on this score, too. As the weather warms (and before it warms too much) and classes come to an end, I want to prioritize fitting in much more exercise and more home cooking.
Sleep was reasonably good under the circumstances, and I think I gained some additional insight into my sleep patterns through record-keeping (the waning of the light in fall/early winter is hard on many people, but I think I have at least equal trouble in spring, when the turning-forward of the clocks sends dawn backward again just as it was getting to the timing that works best for me. The new time-change schedule, which I believe the U.S. implemented only a few years ago, seems to exacerbate this. Maybe now that I realize the pattern I can plan for it somehow.
3. Making continued progress on the most vital TLQ financial/household tasks (taxes et al. and boxes still sums this area up pretty well).
I'm on top of the most vital financial tasks (and beginning to think a bit more about my larger financial picture, which will need to be a major focus for the summer/fall) and made some very minor progress with boxes. And the health department hasn't condemned my apartment, nor have I permanently lost anything vital (at least not that I've discovered), so I guess we'll call this one a win, too.
DeleteSo I started with modest goals for what I knew would be a difficult time, and mostly achieved them. As tends to happen, I have far more priorities for the summer than can be truly priorities. I definitely want to ramp up exercise, and urgently need to do deal with the interlocking taxes/boxes (financial & household planning/organizing/improvement) issues (though exactly which tasks should be priorities is an open question).
And, as noted above, I would really like to get back to my writing and/or research (mostly for the satisfaction it brings, since at this point it's unlikely to lead, at least in any direct or plannable way, to professional advancement). That, too, involves deciding among possible projects.
Finally, a major focus of the summer will be the definitely-TLQ grant project that wasn't part of my official goals, because it came up after the session started, but on which I've periodically spent substantial amounts of time, and which will require more time over the next weeks and months. Since that's professional work with a direct connection to my current job, it will probably have to take precedence over research/writing projects more closely allied to my original research area.
And finally finally, as noted above, I'm going to want to continue to support and connect/reconnect with friends and family who are going through various sorts of hard times (mostly death and separation/possible divorce). I'm an introvert, so, as important and gratifying as I find such contact, I also get exhausted by doing a lot of it. Exercising (alone) is a good counterpoint; dealing with taxes and boxes (and all the decision-making that goes with them -- also depleting, in a different ways) less so. And the grant project involves a fair amount of interaction, and a good deal of planning/organizing (probably about equal to teaching another class, and I've already got two summer classes). So energy will be an issue.
So I'll think all that over, and look forward to seeing everybody again soon. For those who are finishing terms/semesters, good luck with the final few weeks (or, in some cases, months)!
And one more thought (sorry for the string of comments, but I'm figuring I can come back here and recover my train of thought when it's time to set summer goals): I'd really like to do more long-form (book and journal article) reading, mostly to get my brain re-trained to that mode (rather than the jump-around one the internet reinforces). I think that might be a way back into writing and research: if I don't have time for any serious work on those projects, maybe I can at least make time for professional reading in related areas, as a way back in. And I definitely need at least a week of leisure reading/light fiction (+ walking) to recover from the semester, and begin working my way back into that habit.
Delete