Tag Archives: choice

Back in the Swing

Posted on by acrystelle
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I know, I know, it’s been a while. I haven’t written in over a month. It’s time to get back in the swing…..of achieving the (seemingly) impossible.

This is just a short post, but as always it has a purpose – an attempt to re-establish a habit of writing regularly. I tell of not only the challenge I’ve faced in keeping up my habit, but also what I’ve been up to over the last month. This piece of writing may only be a bit of ‘blah’, but I feel writing it is integral to ‘getting back in the swing’ of things. It’s a little self-indulgent but necessary. I’ve enjoyed blogging – sharing my thoughts, ideas and reflections, so it’s an activity I wish to continue with.

Physically and emotionally, I’ve been recovering from burnout. Yep, the first six months of the year were massive. My enthusiasm, motivation and sheer determination kept me going until I physically could do no more. Some might say it was irresponsible of me to expect so much and allow myself to get to a stage of burnout. I can respect and will accept that viewpoint. What I’ll say is that I was just testing my limits, the limits of my motivation, my time, my effectiveness. Whichever the case, the experience has helped me gain a perspective of what can be reasonably expected of someone and their time, particularly me, as an individual.

While I have incredible commitment to my profession, contributing to it and establishing my place within it, this year it’s been at the expense of my outside interests. Honestly, I’m not proud of this. There are a lot of things I’d love to do, like rock climbing, playing beach volleyball, and generally being the active, adventurous person I am.

Motivation. I’m at a low point here. I think my motivation has suffered the most. Exhaustion and prolonged tiredness hasn’t helped either. I’ll tell you though, low motivation is becoming so frustrating, one of these days I’m going to burst with renewed motivation and nothing will stop me!

This new semester in my course is an opportunity for a fresh start. A few weeks ago I decided to take back control. How I did this was identifying all my current projects and their deliverables over the course of the semester. I’ve mapped these out in a spreadsheet I keep on my desk. I’ve also ‘got real’ about the time I have available for my study and other commitments. A weekly schedule has been the answer. I created a Google calendar and now have it on my Mac, iPhone and Outlook calendar at work. I’ve made my partner aware of my schedule so he can respect the time I’ve set aside for my study. I’m a visual person, so I need to have both my calendar and project planner in view and feel the satisfaction from ticking off deliverables as they’re achieved. Another small tip, I keep a small notebook next to my schedule to record the time I don’t spend on projects. My four hours of “study time” on Saturdays will be taken up by projects which do not get the time I planned for them and those tasks which have priority.

There’s no escaping the fact I cannot do everything. I need to accept that fact. I cannot be everything to everyone, as much as I may like to be. The key will be to prioritise, so I can feel okay about those things I won’t get round to doing.

I think half the battle is getting organised. I highly recommend the book ‘Getting Things Done’ by David Allen. Once a system is set up, being organised becomes almost effortless. Organisation, planning, a little perspective, reasonable expectations and prioritising goes a long way to achieving the (seemingly) impossible. I may have learnt my lesson the hard way. 100% or nothing, is just the way I am. Won’t stop me from finding a way to be 100% effective though.

;)

Audit Your Personal Learning Environment

Posted on by acrystelle
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No doubt there are others like me who have signed up for, downloaded or acquired tools, applications and devices which make up our Personal Learning Environment. There is every intention to integrate these into our daily or weekly routines. Perhaps we just wanted to try them out, used them for a specific task or project or have used them only on an ad-hoc basis at most. It’s time to clean up!

In an earlier post, where I distinguished a PLN from a PLE, I hinted at my own definition of a Personal Learning Environment. There appears to be variations of a definition, yet two components stick out – tools and learning. Here’s my definition: -

A PLE consists of an individual, learner-oriented collection of tools, resources, services, and connections organised and used to gather and engage with information, reflect, and communicate and collaborate with others, in pursuit of continual learning and achievement of goals and objectives. 

The goal of a PLE audit (or mine) is to re-organise and co ordinate components to increase efficiency by minimising effort required to access and use each component. The outcome of this process is a more effective PLE, better suited to the achievement of learning goals and objectives.

I’ve taken three steps to audit and tidy up my Personal Learning Environment – stocktake, assess and organise.

Stocktake

  1. Gather all log in details for each tool, resource or service. I found this was the easiest way to identify what I’ve signed up to, tried, or use.
  2. Create a list of email subscriptions, web applications, wikis, software of your computer and devices. My list consisted of over 20 tools (!) including Gmail, Mindnode Pro (on my Mac), Dropbox, Twitter, Slideshare, Evernote and Skype.
  3. Divide a page into three columns – Tools/Devices/Resources, Use it?, What for?.
  4. Fill in the table as much as possible.

Assess

Go through each component and assess its role and contribution to your PLE. I created the diagram below to provide consistency and assist with the process.

(I understand the diagram can be hard to read. Click on the image to view a larger version)

Organise

Once you have identified the next steps required to re-organise your PLE components, ensure that you action them! If it will help, create a diagram or edit your list (created during ‘stocktake’) to show your newly designed PLE.  A visual reminds and assists me to see the ‘big picture’. I’m that sort of person, I guess.

Other Tips

  • Take stock of your PLE on a regular basis.
  • Include your online presence in this process. Which ‘presence’ (eg. LinkedIn, blog) is lagging, not being properly maintained that it’s potentially damaging your brand and identity?
  • Identify the role of each component by their function. For example, my Google Reader performs a collecting function and my blog is a thinking and contributing space.
  • Create (and stick with) consistent use of tags, vocabulary and folder structures across similar applications. For example, a project folder on my mac will resemble an arrangement of notebooks in Evernote.
  • If you use Instapaper, create an RSS feed for your “Unread” folder and add it to Google Reader. You’ll only need to look in one place for reading material and resources, not two.

The aim here was to prompt thinking about the effectiveness of a PLE and its components’ efficiency of use. The suggested audit process is intended to be a guide and is by no means exhaustive or absolute. I’m sure there are other ways to evaluate tools and ‘tweaking’ a PLE. This was just my approach. I hope it can be of use to others.

Resources for PLE definition: -

Attwell, G 2010, ‘Supporting Personal Learning in the Workplace’, The PLE Conference, ISSN 2077-9119.

McElvaney, J & Berge, Z 2009, ‘Weaving a Personal Web: Using online technologies to create customised, connected and dynamic learning environments‘, Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, 35(2).

Educause 2009, ‘7 Things you should know about Personal Learning Environments‘.

Two months on…Tracking Semester Goals

Posted on by acrystelle
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Two months ago I set some goals for myself, some boundaries or rules if you will, to help maximise my time and take care of myself during the university semester. Inspired by “FreeStyle Mind” and the blog post “30 Habits that will Change your Life”, here are my list of habits I wanted to implement: -

  1. Maintain 7am – 3pm work days (The last few weeks I’ve managed 7.30am – 3.30pm. This is ok as I get home by 4pm)
  2. Go to bed at 9.30pm during the week
  3. Exercise for 30 minutes at least every second day
  4. Check my email inbox only twice per day
  5. One day off per week

Now for the report card…..

Apart from a few slow Mondays and mornings when I’ve (broken rule 2) stayed up the night before working, I’ve managed fairly consistent 7.30am to 3.30pm work days. By this I mean I’ve completed the paid aspect of my work day between the hours of 7.30am and 3.30pm. And I’m home by 4pm ready to get stuck into my “other life” (as I say to my colleagues).

Ok, I’ve broken the second rule a few times, but not by much. Admittedly I’ve bent the rule so that I finish working at 9.30pm, rather than actually head to bed at that time. When I have (totally) broken the rule, apart from writing my NLS5 paper last Thursday ‘til 11.30pm, I’ve stopped myself at 10.15pm at the latest. That, to me, is an achievement. So I’m still working on this habit. It wasn’t going to happen overnight, or in a couple of months, but what is important is I’m well aware of the habit I’m trying to implement, when I do abide by it and when I don’t.

Exercise. Hmmm. Well, this is an area I’m not quite so disciplined, which is both surprising and expected at the same time. People who know me will be aware of my past lifetime as a competitive artistic gymnast. So you would think this habit would be easy for me. Trust me, it ain’t. Back then I had coaches on my back (not literally) pushing me further and made sure I did those stair runs, rope climbs, chin ups, handstands, etc. These days, I don’t have that. Motivation for exercising can be hard to come by simply because I’m not tough enough on myself to stop what I’m working on. A session on the rowing machine every five days is unacceptable. I must rectify this immediately. On the upside, I have started Pilates classes and have booked myself in for the next month (one class every 1 1/2 weeks). Classes are in my calendar, time is blocked out for them, I have to do it. By the way, I’m absolutely loving the time out Pilates is giving me. For one whole hour I don’t think about study, work, worries, nothing.

From my experience and probably many, many others, smart phones can both improve and hinder productivity. Checking my email inbox only twice per day? Impossible with my iPhone. Actioning my email inbox only twice per day? Manageable. And that’s what I’ve stuck with. I action my email inboxes in the morning and when I arrive home from work. That’s it. Don’t expect a reply straight away from me, unless you’re either my mother or if the matter requires an immediate response. I simply cannot afford the time away from my “library clients”, day-to-day processing of library materials and project tasks. I will check my inboxes from time to time, but only so I have an idea of the time I need in the afternoon to action items.

Probably the most challenging habit I’ve attempted to maintain is my one day off per week. I cannot manage all my commitments and still have time for a whole day off. I think I’ve been unreasonable to even put this rule in place and expect I stick to it. Instead I’ve tuned in to my work/study habits and paid increased attention to when I absolutely won’t complete any work/study-related tasks. Friday afternoons/nights are my “day off”. I don’t bother scheduling any tasks on Fridays anymore. Fridays are casual dress, lunch out with work team, maybe knock off a little early and watch some Friday night footy.

New habits are not easy to implement and maintain. They don’t become ‘natural’ overnight. One key I’ve discovered is the importance of developing an awareness of the new habit – why it’s working, why it’s not and what’s stopping it. Success depends on discipline, accountability of self, priorities, the core reason why you want to make the change/s and how badly you want it.

“If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.”
(Mary Engelbreit)

Headhunted: why I chose to stay put

Posted on by acrystelle
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A week ago I had an interesting phone call. Surprising? Not really. But…interesting. I turned down my previous role.

This significant experience was overwhelming, flattering, a little awkward and for a moment, confusing.

I have never been in a position before where a previous employer has offered an opportunity to return. This is a lesson I wish to document and reflect upon.

First of all, I don’t think I handled it particularly well. However, I believe I dealt with the situation the best I could at the time. I found it difficult to communicate my reasons for my choice; I wasn’t prepared. The phone call in itself was a sign that I’ve started to  make my mark….and I’ve only been in this industry (and profession) for nine months.

Secondly, let’s delve into why I chose I stay put.

  1. Stability – I wish to stay with an employer for at least a few years to allow enough time to follow through on projects, as well as capture opportunities available to diversify and develop my skills in an increasingly familiar and “safe” environment. I’ve been with my current employer for only five months. I don’t want to be switching to and fro between employers.
  2. Culture fit – I believe I fit in with my current employer’s culture better than my previous employer. I’ve well and truly started to develop a sense of belonging to the company and the team I work with.
  3. Potential Opportunities – I believe I will have more opportunities to be involved in continuous improvement projects; there are also less barriers to improving processes and information services and generally, getting things done. I am already committed to a few projects already. I’d like to follow through and see them completed.
  4. Support – Even though my former supervisor clearly supports me, I’ve support also from my current supervisor and colleagues. This is important to me. Especially when I’m in a profession that’s not quite understood by others. People, my internal customers, are beginning to trust me.
  5. People I liaise with every day – I work with some pretty cool people! They’re hard-working, knowledgeable, dedicated and there’s a sense of ‘taking care of each other’ and acknowledging others’ hard work. For example, a colleague of mine is working on a massive project at the moment and has been working mighty long hours. There hasn’t been a lot I can do to help but one day I brought in Milky Ways for his chocolate drawer.

Have I taken a gamble? I sure have. Certainly because I’m currently on contract with seven months to go. There’s no guarantee I’ll have a role at the end of it.

Have I made the right decision? I believe I have.

Why? Because all that’s at stake is worth me finding out my future with my current employer.

The hardest part of this situation was not deciding what to do, but how I could communicate my reasons to a man with an absolute heart of gold. I really do hope I haven’t burnt my bridges with someone who has become somewhat an informal mentor to me in the aviation industry. On my last day, he almost brought me to tears with the praise he had for me. No one had ever shown as much respect and gratitude for my work.

I had disappointed him, though he said he understood my reasons. I did enjoy working in my previous workplace, there’s a “family” atmosphere I was welcomed into, but it just makes sense to stay where I am at this stage.

If you’ve been in a similar situation before, how did you deal with it? I’d really like to hear others’ experiences. Do you have any advice?

Keeping Perspective

Posted on by acrystelle
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The last couple of weeks I’ve seen myself make some choices I didn’t think were possible….at least for me.

I always feel “connected” in some way or another to my work, my career, my planning, my future. May this be through Twitter, reading articles via RSS feeds in my Reader, or planning of some sort. If I don’t feel “connected” or am not working, I have a tendency to feel guilty. The thoughts that race around my head (most of the time) go something like “you can’t miss anything, Alisa, if you do you’re behind”, or “if you don’t put in the work, you won’t succeed as a information professional because technology is moving too fast”.

Last weekend I made a choice. I had a choice between working in my study – brainstorming a “work” project or catching up on my #CCK11 course activities – or heading to the beach with my man. So…. what do you think I chose? Let me explain….

Something shifted within myself that day. I don’t know how long it will last, given the semester is about to start up again, but my real values came out to play. Over the last month, I’ve completed the first chapter of the book “Skills for Success: The Personal Development Planning Handbook” by Stella Cottrell (highly recommend). In this chapter I identified my top three areas of success which are important to me.

  • Being respected and recognised by my peers and profession on an international stage – more like a goal really, but nonetheless important to me;
  • Seizing and maximising opportunities; and
  • Family life

Last weekend, and again this weekend, I chose spending time with my partner over working. My choice paid off – a beautiful beach, clear, warm water and we had fun. I chose my relationship over my work, which would’ve been in my study not enjoying what the day and sun had to offer. This weekend, we were at the beach again, and this time I tried surfing. All my partner wanted to see was me riding a wave in on the old surfboard as a ‘boogie’ board, nothing more. He was very surprised when I tried to stand. My hand slipped and I smacked my collarbone on the corner of the board. It bloody hurt, but you know what? My partner was so proud I gave it a crack.

My partner is proud of what I’ve achieved and what I’m capable of achieving. That’s important to me; the support is priceless. Not only today in the surf, but of how committed I am to my work and my career of choice. Those in my PLN and others in my profession are all committed, there is no doubt, and I’m not saying its all for nothing. What I am saying is that every now and then, there needs to be precious moments you won’t give up for anything. Moments you treasure can also be in the work we do, but there are moments which are less serious which make me think about the simple joys in life.

A balance between our work and life needs to be achieved. This will be different from person to person, and that’s ok. What I do believe we need to find out about ourselves is what’s important to us. What does success mean to you?

Yes, in a few weeks I’ll be even busier with the new semester commencing – two (and a bit) subjects plus working full time. But I must keep some time aside for other areas in life which are also important, if only to maintain my sanity and perspective on what life is really about…..