Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Lounge.

[ChoralScholar]

I haven't posted with any regularity in a while... this is due to the fact that I am just swamped.

This year, I took on another class of Vocal Music, bringing my grand total to 6 periods of choir per day. In addition to this, I am Fine Arts department chair, am doing the yearbook, breakfast duty every other week, and lunch duty three weeks out of the month. I also try to get around once or twice a week to football and volleyball games to support the kiddos that I have in class.

Add to that being the treasurer of our state Choral Directors Association, and you can see why I'm snowed under.

People have always been in awe of my ability to get SO MUCH done. However, the whole operation seems to be 'coming apart' at the seams - in the form of my forgetting dates, being behind on paperwork, and having a hard time staying motivated.


Any advice from my peeps in the lizzounge?

PS - I had planned to make a final run this spring and finish the thesis for my Master's degree, but I'm wondering if it would spiral me into a pit of despair...

[KitchenWitch]

1. Lists - lots of lists

that is the only way I know how to stay organized. I am not nearly as busy as you are right now, but I have been in the past, and I survived via my Daytimer and my lists.

[ChoralScholar]

2. I'm trying to do so....

I've been sending myself an e-mail list at night (night is when my mind is most sharp, and races with things I should be doing) so I can read it in the morning... it is helping some.

I'm just bummed out, because I agreed to come do a sectional for the high school basses this evening, and I just flat-out forgot about it, while I was sitting here playing PS3.

[Colorado Progressive]

3. You need to finish your thesis so you can get one big load off your chest.

You can cut out a few extra activities like games, etc. Just who will benefit when you are having heart attacks from stress, anyway? Really, one person can only do so much, and the thesis should come first. Finish it! I took 18 months of stress to write mine, cant tell you how glad I am its over.

[ChoralScholar]

5. I sure would like to...

it makes sense... I will be done with schooling until I decide to quit teaching and complete a Doctorate.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear ChoralScholar...

I think you've got way too much on your plate...

I'd cut back, if it were me...

And I agree with the poster who said you should finish your Master's...

Good luck in whatever you do!

:hi:

[ChoralScholar]

6. How do you cut back on things you're already committed to?

without looking like a schmuck, that is...

The other hitch in the plan is this:

I feel like I'm missing my little boy growing up.

"Daddy, you smiled me!!!" (he calls taking a picture 'smiling' something)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. People are entitled to change their minds...

And that includes you...

Your son misses you too.....and those years won't be coming back...He is very cute!

The other poster has the right idea: Give them two weeks notice and stick to it.

You will feel enormous relief!

I never regret saying no...I say yes very carefully!

:hug:

[Breeze54]

7. I agree!

What are you trying to prove? Seems to me, all you are doing is letting other
people out of making a commitment because they all know you'll do it!

Tell them you can't handle all of it anymore and you need to cut back on your activities.

"Health reasons"!!! :P

Give them notice (2 weeks) to find a replacement. I'd let the lunch thing go!

Then use your spare time learning to say "NO!"

[ChoralScholar]

9. I believe I will heed your advice.

I'll go talk to the principal tomorrow about getting rid of lunch duty. Getting rid of breakfast duty won't help, because I'll just sleep later. (That's what I do on my weeks off anyway) Plus I get free breakfast on my duty weeks.

And I'll make sure my ducks are in a row to finish up the old Master of Music Education degree this spring...

[Skittles]

10. stop spreading yourself so thin

learn to relax and do nothing for a bit

[rug]

11. You need a music break.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfKTVqKXz4o

[Le Taz Hot]

12. I have SO been there, done that.

80+ hour weeks for 30 years and it all came crashing down in the form of serious, and I mean SERIOUS burnout. The forgetting dates, behind on paperwork, difficulty staying motivated, letting stuff go when you never used to let them go, procrastination -- all CLASSIC symptoms of the beginnings of burnout and yes, it IS a clinical, diagnosable condition.

My advice: go on sabbatical if you can. Drop at least 60% of the projects you've taken on (lunch duty? breakfast duty? Thesis can wait.) The world WILL continue to spin without your energy and commitment for awhile. You need to do this NOW. Most people will understand if you tell them you need to pull back on your responsibilities.

If you don't pull back now, you are absolutely headed for a crash and I mean HARD! Unfortunately, I had a boss that didn't understand the concept of burnout and I kept trying to work my usual 80+ hour weeks. It ALL came crashing down in the form of absolute paralysis. I woke up one morning and couldn't force myself to look at my computer, to make any phone calls, to travel to my sites (part of my job), not even to communicate to friends and family what was happening. I had to resign my very lucrative position and for 2 years I laid on the couch watching TV. (I can't TELL you how uncharacteristic this is.) I didn't want to talk to anyone or do anything. That was almost 6 years ago.

I've been SLOWLY pulling out of it and I actually start back to school next week as I can no longer carry the responsibilities of an administrator. I'm learning that I do not need to go balls-out 16 hour days. While I've been home I've taken up gardening, began singing and playing again (not performing yet) and started macrameing professionally again. It's helped me get refocused and be MUCH calmer.

Sorry, I didn't mean for this to be a screed about myself but I wanted to let you know that there are others that have been where you are now. PLEASE, consider slowing down. Burnout is NO joke. Believe me.

I wish you well.