Perhaps it is because of my psychology background that I am constantly trying to figure myself out.  Sadly, there is still so much I obviously don’t know about who I am and why I do what I do.  Will I ever figure it out??

As another semester ends, I find myself reflecting on what I feel was the hardest year yet of my career, and I’m trying to learn some lessons so that I don’t ever have another year like this.  I liken this last academic year to a trip to a buffet.  As I started the year, there were so many great opportunities (or so I thought) before me, much like there are many great dishes at a buffet that I feel I HAVE to sample.  I didn’t blink an eye as I took on more and more work, and I was certain I could do it all and do it brilliantly (much like I feel I can eat everything I put on my plate when I go to a buffet).  I was confident that I had the right assortment of projects and responsibilities, and I thought that through my work, I would find my place and figure out who I really am and what I want out of my career.

Of course, when I do actually eat at a buffet, the same thing generally happens time and again.  My eyes are always bigger than my stomach, and things don’t always taste the way I think they will.  I might barely touch certain things after realizing they are not things I would probably ever eat again.  Occasionally, however, I might stumble upon something really good that I’ll have to go back and get more of.  Normally, I just get very overwhelmed and leave with an upset stomach, vowing never to come back again.

As this academic year ends and I am thinking ahead to the next year, how can I avoid filling up my plate too much?  Thankfully, I did learn more about who I am this last year and what I want, and because of that, I’ve been able to slowly cut back on certain things, and this will free me up to become more involved in what I SHOULD be doing and what I WANT to be doing, but I know how I am, and I know that I’m going to have to be vigilant at all times and very possessive of my time if I want to protect my sanity. I’m not at all good about saying “no,” and I need to work on that or I’m going to burn out much too quickly.

Can I do it?  I think only time will tell, but I sure hope so.