Monday, August 12, 2013

aaaaaaaaaand...GO!

So, since I turned in my annual evaluation file on Friday, I'm counting today as the first true day of my year-long sabbatical.

You'd think this would fill me with joy and peace, but instead, I'm feeling anxious.  Big surprise, eh?



Mostly, I'm worried that I won't get done what I want to get done, and paradoxically, that I'll be so caught up either in working or in worrying about working that I won't actually relax and enjoy the time.  After all, the whole purpose of a sabbatical is to renew and recharge.  The term comes from the same root as "Sabbath," as in, a day of rest after six days of work.  Only here, it's a rest after six years of work.

My other concerns have to do with time sucks that I need to avoid, since they're generally not good either for working or genuinely relaxing:  housework and Facebook, I'm looking at you.


Anyway, I'm going public with these anxieties so that I know that I'm accountable to you, loyal reader--and to ask whether you have any suggestions about maintaining a reasonable balance between productivity and relaxation.  What do you do to stay focused?  What kinds of things keep you on track toward a goal?  Do you have a regular daily schedule that you follow, or do you go as the spirit moves you (or some hybrid of the two)?

Stay tuned for updates...