BankerGirl

Posted by Heidi on April 6th, 2008 in Blogging, career, teaching, weight loss, work

My employer often advocates the benefits of having the proper work-life balance.  If I had the energy, I would get worked up into a frenzy over the sub-text of this “balance.”  The way I understand it, my managers are all for family time and flexible schedules for employees who have children or unusual family situations (ill parents, a spouse who doesn’t drive, etc), but expectations are different for able-bodied singles and DINKs. 

Work-life balance?  All I can say to that is, “Ha!”

But it’s ok because it’s what I signed on for.  I shouldn’t complain - I am one of those people who operate better with a lot on her proverbial plate.  I typically enjoy being an over-achieving workaholic and I would surely push back if I was feeling over-extended, right? 

Right?

I realized earlier this week that I am tired. 

I have been working 10-hour days at my new job (which I am loving, by the way), and I teach from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. two nights per week.  I get up at 5:30 a.m., six days a week, so that I can be at my kickboxing class by 6:00.   I also sit on three boards and two finance committees, and I typically have one or two meetings for these each week. Oh, and I try to do a little writing every now and again. 

My body needs at least eight hours of sleep each night, which I am clearly not getting, and it’s beginning to take a toll on my health.  Plus, I’ve been lashing out at my partner in frustration and exhaustion, which is not at all fair to him.

I am finally to the point where something has to give. 

I won’t give up my non-profit work, and the blog is starting to take off - I can’t quit now.  So, I guess I need to scale back my instruction schedule.  I have decided that as soon as finals wrap up, I will cut my teaching schedule back to one class at a time.  When classes conclude in May, I’m going to take six weeks off, and after that point I will only teach marketing and organizational management classes (I had been filling in as an all-around utility player - I have taught six different courses since last August - each requiring “first-time” prep work - it’s running me into the ground and I’ve had enough.  I now declare myself a specialist).

Just knowing that I have a break in sight is a huge relief.  Plus, the board meeting schedule tends to relax during the summer months due to family vacations and the like, so I’ll more ‘free time’ to concentrate on planning the wedding.

I’m going to bed now.

Stumble it!