Every fall when my university’s academic calendar kicks into high gear, I tell myself that this term I’ll manage to stay on top of my work and avoid late nights writing reports, tweaking presentation slides and answering emails. I’m always sure that last semester’s challenges were an exception and this year will revert to “normal.” There was the year my son was born, and that naturally threw me for a loop, but he was destined to be an only child so I told myself I’d eventually settle back into a rhythm involving some balance. Then I started a new research center, and birthing that was its own wild ride. However, I knew the startup pain was only temporary. Of course, just as that madness started easing, I signed a contract to write a book, which was immensely time-consuming. And then there was the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant a spike in work hours spent on childcare. But once elementary schools and after school activities re-opened all would be sane again, right? Then came the surprise of an arduous committee assignment, but that’s wrapping up soon, so next year things will surely improve…
Are exceptions as exceptional as we think?
Are exceptions as exceptional as we think?
Are exceptions as exceptional as we think?
Every fall when my university’s academic calendar kicks into high gear, I tell myself that this term I’ll manage to stay on top of my work and avoid late nights writing reports, tweaking presentation slides and answering emails. I’m always sure that last semester’s challenges were an exception and this year will revert to “normal.” There was the year my son was born, and that naturally threw me for a loop, but he was destined to be an only child so I told myself I’d eventually settle back into a rhythm involving some balance. Then I started a new research center, and birthing that was its own wild ride. However, I knew the startup pain was only temporary. Of course, just as that madness started easing, I signed a contract to write a book, which was immensely time-consuming. And then there was the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant a spike in work hours spent on childcare. But once elementary schools and after school activities re-opened all would be sane again, right? Then came the surprise of an arduous committee assignment, but that’s wrapping up soon, so next year things will surely improve…