It's a lot

Don't get me wrong.  I knew it would be.  A wise mentor once told me (I never, ever doubted it was true):  In this field (education; educational leadership, specifically), you can be on top of your game in any two of the three:  work (e.g., being a school leader/administrator), school (e.g., taking graduate courses to grow), and family (e.g., being a terrific husband and father, and taking care of aging parents in a meaningful way).  But, all three at once--something has got to give.

So here I am.  I will say that family comes first, and it is the most important thing.  But, my family has been very patient, and very wonderful with me, as I sometimes (often) put them on hold.  Being a high school principal--being one that makes a difference--is a 60 to 70 hour a week job (yes, some weeks go over that), and high intensity as well.

A year and a half ago I added "doctoral student" to that mix.  My studies have been positive, energizing, even transformational.  But, time consuming.  I've found some tricks.  I put all my reading (it's a lot of reading) on a tablet, that I carry around obsessively.  I use all those little bits of found time (waiting in line, waiting for the food to come, for the next barber to be available, riding in a car if I'm not the driver, etc.) to chip away at that load.  I use wifi and a laptop to work on my discussion posts while my kid is soccer practice, or whatever the event du jour. 

So far, so good--I'm halfway through the program with flying colors.  My wife hasn't left me.  I have not quit or been fired (and the data says my school is doing well under my leadership).

And as a human being I still need down time.  To process, to assimilate, to rest.  Simply to rest, and recharge.  That time has become so precious, and I am learning to treasure it.  Maybe my mentor was wrong--maybe each panel of that life triptych can give, and take, and an essential balance can remain.  It is a lot, but not too much.

This blog post has been an indulgence, and counts toward that "recharge time."  All is well.  Now, back to work.