Hello everyone!
Welcome to the second week of our voyage! This is my first “crew
update” recording from my cabin. Our departure went fairly well, we had very
few issues with forgotten baggage but the replicators have been able to fill
all emergency orders for critical things. All crew quarters are functional. I
do apologize to the crew members who had to be relocated after we discovered
the infestation of Shape-shifting Spotted Demotivators. They have been
corralled and are isolated in the hold, but far away from the Albatross
enclosures because there is anecdotal evidence that those species can
cross-breed and we don’t want an outbreak on our hands.
Oh, what’s that? Uhmmm… blinking light, blinking light, oh,
getting another call hang on… Hello? Yes, this is the Captain…. Really… Escaped?
And you can’t find them? Ok, I’ll be there in a few minutes, keep the area
isolated and I’ll authorize the additional force-fields you need right now…
Ok, got to go deal with the crisis in the hold – the Demotivators
chewed through their enclosure and are playing hide and seek with the
critter-care crew. I will have to post the rest of the crew update on the ship’s
com system. Please join us for social hour (or day!) in the Top Deck Viewing Bar
to tell us how your first week went.
For this week, please be on the look out for any Demotivators
trying to nest in your quarters, it is easier to root them out early on, once
they establish a colony they are very hard to eradicate! And in our check-in
gathering this week, please tell us how you identify your personal Demotivators
(they do shift their appearance fairly frequently so they can be hard to
track), and share your favourite strategies for finding and evicting them. We
can all use a little bit of help and advice on getting them under control!
Best of luck for the week!
(Also IRL,
please take care of yourself, the world is a mess and everyone is struggling
and we need to hang on, even if by fingernails.)
UPDATED
with GOALS from last week:
Dame Eleanor Hull
*Finish grad syllabus, set up Blackboard sites.
*At least 5 hours of research time.
*Tidy my study, I mean quarters.
Elizabeth Anne Mitchell
Draft query letters for Illuminated.
Edit at least 5 pages of Illuminated.
Draft introduction to Translated.
Organize desk 1 hour x 5.
Pay bills, ask for conference reimbursement, call for doctors' appointments.
Daisy
1) Open Albatross cage carefully and make a plan for
tackling it
2) Sit down for a good planning session for the term and write everything down
3) Start on giant pile of revisions for paper from last session and give each
co-author a list of the parts they have to do
4) Do figure revisions for another paper I’m co-author on and send first author
nice figures and encouraging message
5) Get online course started with maximum interaction and minimum drama (also
finish course outline!)
6) Write a couple of abstracts for online conferences that I am not excited
about but will go to in order to support colleagues organizing them
7) Do one fun thing with any available friend
heu mihi
1. Personnel Committee task
2. 3 hours of writing
3. Sit 5 times
4. 2 hours of course planning
5. 30 minutes of grant proposal planning
6. Catch up on journal work
Humming42
1 catch up on teaching-related issues from internet outage
2 finish and submit current book review
3 create tiny project work plan
4 write and submit working group project for conference
5 submit creative piece by deadline
JaneB
Will be updating when possible, with an excellent overall session
goal of Professional Survival.
Karen
-restart work and open inbox
-write up draft of Hons ideas and set up time for discussion with a couple of
key people
-begin syllabi for new course
Susan
1. Finish syllabus and post intro videos
2. Return to Famous Author for 3 writing sessions
3. Schedule board meeting for ProfOrg
4. Keep up with exercise on both expensive bougie equipment and January yoga
challenge.
5. Cook at least one healthy thing
6. Visit friends
7. Call mom
My week started well, and then derailed entirely after a horrible decision by a committee in my professional association I’m president of… They literally made the worst possible decision, at the worst possible time, in the worst possible way, with no consultation outside of their committee, and the fall-out is huge. I’m going to be doing damage control and cleaning up after this one for a long time to come…
ReplyDeleteMy most annoying personal Demotivator is the one that builds nests in piles of work and disguises the nest by making the pile of work look bigger. So every time I see it I’m less likely to tackle it because it looks more overwhelming every time I look. In good weeks this one can usually be eradicated by a good dose of “suck-it-up-buttercup-sauce” in the form of task lists and bribery for doing little things. Usually, not always… The one I have right now seems way too comfortable…
There’s also one that works on the “but it doesn’t matter what you do…” principle. This Demotivator points out how futile my efforts are in any given arena. This one is more insidious and harder to shift because a lot of times it is at least partially correct… Remembering that small wins also count does sometimes help to counteract the effects, especially in teaching and co-operative ventures.
Last week’s goals:
1) Open Albatross cage carefully and make a plan for tackling it OFF TO BAD START, DID NOT TOUCH
2) Sit down for a good planning session for the term and write everything down YES
3) Start on giant pile of revisions for paper from last session and give each co-author a list of the parts they have to do STARTED, ONGOING
4) Do figure revisions for another paper I’m co-author on and send first author nice figures and encouraging message DONE
5) Get online course started with maximum interaction and minimum drama (also finish course outline!) DONE
6) Write a couple of abstracts for online conferences that I am not excited about but will go to in order to support colleagues organizing them DID ONE, CANCELLED OTHER
7) Do one fun thing with any available friend RESCHEDULED
This week’s goals:
1) Revisions
2) Revisions
3) More revisions
4) Deal with extensive fall-out from other people’s terrible decision
5) Do rescheduled fun things
Captain, if I may make a recommendation, have your plan for tackling the Albatross ready before you open that cage. The Albatross is being looked after until you are ready to deal with it, so no rush. I think the crew are enjoying this change from their usual duties.
DeleteWith help from crew, the Demotivators in my sector have been rounded up and are secured behind force fields. I am therefore available to assist in other areas of the ship. We found that it works best to pin their wings first, then wrap the beak, and finally bind the feet. The fight goes out of them once you start the immobilization process.
Excellent point about planning for Albatross... Opening up the cage just to "check in" on it has succeeded only in scaring me and pissing off the Albatross so clearly that is not a winning strategy!
DeleteI will rethink my approach. Glad the crew members assigned to babysitting are enjoying it at least!
Passengers and crew, this is First Mate T'Melnor with an announcement. Due to dealing with the escape of some Shape-Shifting Spotted Demotivators, we have been unable to provide the usual handouts for this week's social hour, where we normally give your goals from the previous week. Please review your goals from last week's update to your onboarding packet, and let us know of your progress when we meet in the Top Deck Viewing Bar. We apologize for the disruption and appreciate your pitching in to help the crew.
ReplyDeleteThank to First Mate for reminder! I have updated our handouts, and as an apology for the lateness there will be a extra tokens added to everyone's replicator or holodeck accounts for use whenever you want.
Deletesincerely,
Your Demotivator-hunting Captain...
How I did (week's goals):
ReplyDelete*Finish grad syllabus, set up Blackboard sites. NO, YES.
*At least 5 hours of research time. YES.
*Tidy my study, I mean quarters. NO, in fact things are worse because the roof starting leaking!
**Unlisted additional Thing: checked credit ratings, a task I was putting off last session. 2 out of 3 are fine, 3rd wouldn't let me order online, so I need to do a paper form for that and hope it's okay, too. I suspect they've mixed me up with another Eleanor Hull, but since I was able to buy a house last summer, it can't be too bad.
How I'm doing (session goals):
Worked 5 days on Albatross (at least a little bit), stuck to my schedule pretty well (it helps to schedule down time, too), did quite well on sleep until Sunday night.
Due to the leak in my study ceiling, I moved a lot of my books to the living room (no damage to books: I saw the bulge in the ceiling before any dripping started, and took action at once), and did some research into roofers. Sir John has taken on the scheduling of estimates, and some other useful Life Stuff, which lets me concentrate on work. I am very grateful to have someone to delegate to!
New goals:
*Finish grad syllabus
*Stick to schedule for research, languages, teaching, admin
*Keep making progress with my Albatross
*Sleep, stretch, walk, fun stuff
The great thing when my husband retired was having someone who assumed responsibility for roofers, plumbers, and other such. He was like a PA.
DeleteSo glad there is no damage to books and that you caught it early!
DeleteYay for the dedicated research time!
My very familiar Demotivator is simply Overwhelm, with a side of Hate All Of It. Usually what works to kick it out is an *extremely* detailed to-do list, with as much on it as possible--enhances my sense of productivity and gives me the illusion of handling the situation until it turns out that, hey, I've actually handled it. Not very interesting or inspired, I know, but there it is.
ReplyDeleteAnd sometimes I just have a big tantrum and decide that I'm sick and take a day off. Can't do that so easily in Covid Days (because EVERYONE IS HOME ALL THE TIME), so it's been quite a while since I did that (October 2019, I think?).
Last week:
1. Personnel Committee task - Yes, but I need to actually finalize it
2. 3 hours of writing - Yes
3. Sit 5 times - x4; big improvement over the past
4. 2 hours of course planning - Yes. Our classes start late this year (Feb. 1), and it feels good to get some stuff up *early.*
5. 30 minutes of grant proposal planning - Yes! It was really helpful, actually.
6. Catch up on journal work - Yes, but it's repopulated itself
This week:
1. 3 hours of writing
2. 2 hours of course prep
3. Sit x 5, language x 4
4. Read 3 Collection essays and 18 sermons
5. Service miscellany (submit letter, fix 2 students' registrations, 2 Gen Ed reviews)
6. Catch up on journal work [is now a chronic fixture on my list]
It would be such a help to have started late! I would have had time to rest up AND do advance planning, and instead I rested and even today have not finished my grad syllabus. Yay for all those Yeses!
DeleteOn most days "interesting" and "inspired" are highly overrated attributes for real plans! "Pragmatic" and "consistent" never get much glory yet they are the ones that get us through a lot of things! Cheers to the "boring" virtues and plans, they are the backbones of progress really!
DeleteThe big demotivator for me has been anxiety about US national politics. I will be deeply relieved 24 hours from now, even though I know that the thugs will still be around. Also, I'm tired. I'm very tired. Like, take a nap at 11 AM tired.
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that I get my first dose of the vaccine on Friday.
Goals from last week:
1. Finish syllabus and post intro videos DONE
2. Return to Famous Author for 3 writing sessions: 1 1/2, 2 1/2 if you include this morning
3. Schedule board meeting for ProfOrg: Done, and meeting held
4. Keep up with exercise on both expensive bougie equipment and January yoga challenge. YES
5. Cook at least one healthy thing YES
6. Visit friends YES (virtual visit)
7. Call mom YES
So, I've made progress on my class, but am just not energized about getting ahead right now. It will help when I meet my students tomorrow. I have a few additional things to record/write and upload, but it's not absolutely an emergency.
The good thing that happened (so this is not just a misery chronicle) is that I realized that what I've written now for Famous Author is something I can have my students read. Good to have them see a draft, but also a good overview. That has given me an incentive to move forward, because this stuff comes up in the next two weeks, and so I would like to get a couple of subsections of this finished for them. It's interesting that imagining an audience gives me some motivation.
Otherwise, the big admin task for the prof org of which I am president is almost done: we had our executive committee meeting yesterday, and are just about ready to sign contracts. Then I just make an announcement that makes lots of people happy and is good for our organization, so. . . That's been hanging over me since September, so really relieved.
I also managed to hold the annual meeting for our church, and as of this morning I have managed to get my mothers COVID stimulus payment deposited in her bank account, since it came as a cash card instead of direct deposit. (I'm cranky about both these things, for different reasons, but they are DONE so I can maybe let go of being cranky?)
On Sunday I baked persimmon bread, which is really good, and yesterday made some grapefruit marmalade, so I've been a bit domestic.
Goals for next week:
1. Try to get a week ahead for class
2. 4 sessions on famous author
3. Clear my desk
4. Keep up with exercise
5. Eat, mostly healthy (I've got a rich pasta dish I'm making tomorrow to celebrate having a President who actually wants to do the job, and my persimmon bread is only semi-healthy.)
6. Visit with friends, virtually
7. Follow up with Mom's doctor on home care
Just about an hour and a half now! It sounds like you've made good progress. Enjoy the pasta!
DeleteHaving your research writing and teaching converge like that must be very satisfying!
DeleteAnd Demotivators notwithstanding, that is a great week of accomplished tasks, so congratulations!
Hooray for the vaccine! I'm not going to be able to get it before April, but I rejoice with every newly vaccinated person!
DeleteCurses to the Demotivators! I agree with Susan that US politics has been a tremendous Demotivator for the last, o, four years. I expect my level of interest will remain high during the beginning of this administration, but without the horror, which has been the most difficult part.
ReplyDeleteShiny Object Syndrome [SOS] remains a significant Demotivator but I am working on harnessing it so that it doesn’t derail me quite so much. The other problem with SOS is that it’s the pathway to Overwhelm. Thinking about the conversation on ceremonies last week, I’m reminded of the author and teacher Jen Louden, who encourages people to celebrate their accomplishments. And while I sometimes want to shy away from a big woo! for rather inconsequential things, it occurs to me that celebrating the thing (I finished grading today, I finally got the edits done on the R&R, the kitchen is clean) is also an excellent form of closure. If I give myself that closure, I can let go of the thing that I’ve been clutching for however long it’s been in front of me. So resolving to celebrate, see goals below.
Last week:
1 catch up on teaching-related issues from internet outage: yes, but then I got behind again. I will resolve this because nothing brings me more grief than having grading and email from students looming over me.
2 finish and submit current book review: yes. Showing up late because I finally got that finished yesterday. Much later than I should have. Another due today, but that one is mostly done.
3 create tiny project work plan: one of my 21 before 21 goals was to request a phone meeting with a person from a writing organization I belong to. I spoke with her last week and she encouraged me to try using index cards as an organizing method. I balked at first, then found half-size index cards, which I adore in a crayons & construction paper kind of way. I never thought I would be channeling my inner creative child to organize my book project.
4 write and submit working group project for conference: yes. Submitted on time, too.
5 submit creative piece by deadline: decided not to do this one. I previously wrote poetry and submitted it to journals in the very, very early years of the internet. The market has changed dramatically, and I’m still navigating the online journals and trying to determine which are actually credible publications. So I have no regrets about not submitting here. There are always other opportunities.
This week (or what remains of it)
1 celebrate finishing things. And report back on it. Encourage others to do the same.
2 finish and submit TRQ book review
3 fill out index cards for tiny!
4 write committee letter to the board
5 take care of five administrivia items
Celebrating and acknowledging small wins is so important! I love that it is one of your next goals, we can all use a little more of that!
DeleteSOS is so insidious! I find that keeping a few pages in my notebook where I write down ideas and projects that come up as attractive shiny objects makes me more likely to think about them carefully and not jump in right away... Of course this is a work in progress because just yesterday I started writing two new grants for separate shiny objects and applied for two student support positions so they can work on other shiny objects... Oh well, likely only one out of the four will be successful so that will reduce the overwhelm that will follow...
Also,l index card organizing is the BEST! Even better when the cards are different colours...
Have located a demotivators using procrastination and distraction cloaking devices - beware!
ReplyDeleteLast week goals:
-restart work and open inbox - Yes
-write up draft of Hons ideas and set up time for discussion with a couple of key people - Yes
-begin syllabi for new course - Yes
This week (loosing a day for additional leave)
-progress syllabi to complete draft expect for reading list
-provide feedback on all postgrad work/met/follow up with all postgrads
-document Hons progress to share next week
-
Congrats on all the YESSES!
DeleteYour cabin should have an emergency phaser to zap anything that looks like it might be wearing a cloaking device, a low energy sweep every day should help!
As many have already mentioned, one huge Demotivator for me -- a big, hairy sharp-toothed thing -- has been the political situation in the States. I felt as though I couldn't breathe until the President and Vice-president were safely installed in their new homes and workplaces. The other Demotivator is a critter that has also been mentioned, Overwhelm. Far more insidious than the previous one, it is a small biting, stinging, bug that can become invisible.
ReplyDeleteI often feel like tasks multiply in the night, and there is never an end. The only path forward is to plan the heck out of things, break them down to the small parts and pin the rambunctious, flitty parts down, and celebrate every task done.
Last week's goals:
Draft query letters for Illuminated. Yes
Edit at least 5 pages of Illuminated. Yes
Draft introduction to Translatio. Yes
Organize desk 1 hour x 5. 1x3
Pay bills, ask for conference reimbursement, call for doctors' appointments. Yes, no, no.
Next week goals:
Polish and send query letters for Illuminated.
Edit at least 5 pages of Illuminated.
Write an hour x 5 outlining Translatio.
Organize desk 1 hour x 5.
Ask for conference reimbursement, call for doctors' appointments.
Props to our crew for wrangling the Albatrosses and Demotivators. Thank you for your hard work. Props to my fellow passengers for all you've done this week. Float like mist, everyone!
That's a great week for completed tasks even with the nasty Demotivators hanging around. Your description of Overwhelm is spot-on and reminds me of the blackflies in some places I work - they bite and crawl into everything and the bites itch for weeks and they make one want to run away and hide... But with the right bug jacket and some good bug dope one can work through the bad weeks and then one day go out and notice that the swarming period is over and they are gone... Celebrate the wins!
Delete