Wednesday, April 22, 2009

On my mind...

Ever have one of those days where thoughts an ideas are just SWIMMING around in your head, bursting to get out? Today is one of those days.

I've been thinking a lot the past few days about where I am headed career-wise, and taking inventory of how I feel about work, school, and beyond.

It's come to my attention that I am spending most of my free time... WORKING.

Ha!

I'm a compulsive e-mail checker, a huge worry wart, and sometimes pay TOO much attention to detail. When I should be coming home at the end of the day and focusing on other things like my house, my husband, my dog, hobbies, friends, etc. (not necessarily in that order!) I am actually just sitting back down at the computer and working more.

Something's gotta give.

For those of you that know me - you know that although I took my full-time position with GAAH almost a year ago, I stayed on in a limited capacity at the YMCA coordinating the arts programs there. At the time, I thought staying at the Y would be a good way for me to stay connected for future career moves.

Lately, it's causing me more stress than my "regular" job.

And it's not because I don't like the Y. I love the Y. I strongly believe in their mission, and the arts' vital role in it.

I just think it's too much. I think it's taking up much more time than I intended, and I think if I'm not careful it could affect my "regular" job, and my personal life too.

I feel like I need to put more time and energy into my "regular" job, to make sure I do a FABULOUS job, and to make sure I'm ready to move to the next stage in my career in the next few years. Whatever that may be... : )

So just prioritize, right? Maybe it's time to say goodbye to working two jobs.

Easier said than done.

I feel like if I leave the Y I am failing, and I feel like I'd be ditching the wonderful staff I've hand-picked and nurtured over the years. It feels like if I left I would be selfish.

But I think I need time for other things.

I need to finish school, for one. And I'd like to take some arts classes myself - get back into all things musical, take a dance class, an art class, a photography class...

And I'd like to have time to visit friends after work. A lot of them have kiddos nowadays (congrats Allison & Aaron on their new arrival - baby Kenyon!) and later evenings no longer work for them. Plus it's just nice to have some downtime in between work and bedtime - where I can have the option to do social things!

And there's spending time with the hubby too. Of course I want to do that... : )

I guess I'm a little overwhelmed. Maybe I'm not Superwoman after all?

Darn.

5 comments:

Beth said...

Hmm... sounds just like the Joanne I remember. ;) What you need is a baby to force you to prioritize. Just kidding. Sorta. But, you are obviously a hard working, caring employee. Both places are so lucky to have you!

Joanne said...

The Joanne you remember huh? Which part gave it away... the stressing? the multi-tasking? the trying to be superwoman? Ha! Guess I may not have changed as much as I would like to think I have :) And as for the baby thing - girl, you keep doing the baby thing for the both of us! I can barely take care of Travis, myself and the dog - let alone a BABY! :)

Susan said...

Go-Go,

If you leave the Y and the people that you have nurtured along the way, take pride in having given them the skills to continue with the programs that you have established - that is the testament to all the hard work that you have done.

Dad.

Joanne said...

Aw... that makes me want to cry. Thanks, Dad! :)

Alison said...

Your dad is the greatest - makes me want to cry too!

(And you know - he's SO right)