I hate when people have to somehow work into every conversation how busy they are. I have colleagues who start every conversation with a statement along the lines of, "You wouldn't believe how busy I've been..." or "I get to my office every morning at 6 ayem (that's Texan for a.m.) and still cannot get all my work done..." or "I work until 10 pm every night"....
It's like they're bragging or playing some game of I'm Better Than You Because I Work Harder Than You.
I have close administrator friends who brag about being at work from before sun-up until long after sun-down and go in on weekends to "get caught up". They make it sound like they are running cattle from Fort Worth to Kansas City...what a hardship out here on the trail, sleeping in the rain and eating nothing but burnt beans...
Hey, if you're a workaholic - and you love impressing folks by telling them how many hours you worked last week...good for you. Now pipe down, will ya please?
You really want to know what I think when friends tell me over and over how hard they work and what long hours they keep? I seriously think, "So you have no clue how to manage your time? And you expect what? Sympathy?"
It's not how hard you work, it's how smart you work. It's not how long you work, it's how much you get done at work.
My observation is that folks who ROUTINELY work more than a standard work week:
* Have poor time management skills; or
* They don't know how to delegate; or
* They cannot prioritize [HINT: Family comes first!]; or
* They are Wannabe Martyrs.
[OMG!, did he really just say that?]
Listen? I hear eggshells being stepped on.
Look, if you're a school administrator and you consider football games, plays, concerts, academic and athletic events to be WORK, you're in the wrong career.
Sure, I'm "on duty" while at those events, but I'm also having FUN! I see fellow admintypes so worried and uptight about the lighting systems, sound systems, crowd control, etc. that they completely miss a 98 yard punt return for a score. Or they don't really HEAR that subtle oboe melody played perfectly during a student concert.
Kenny sings about knowing when to hold 'em and knowing when to fold 'em. Effective - and the most healthy - school administrators know when to be vigilant, focused, and when to let go and just enjoy the moment. Take the informal Walk Through Observation. I have seen colleagues so intent on working through their checklist, they completely miss the sheer joy on a kid's face who just caught on to reducing 2/4 to 1/2. ("I get it Mr. Jones! I finally get it!") Any administrator who witnesses such an event and doesn't walk over and give the kid a high-five is just an empty suit pretending to be an educator.
I've been asked how I will know when it's time to retire.
Easy.
When going into my office, walking the halls, visiting a classroom, spending time with great teachers and super students becomes a "job", it will be time for me to leave.
When I look at my watch and mentally calculate how much longer I have to stay at work, it will be time for me to quit.
When I start telling everyone how hard I work, how many hours I spent at the school, and how busy I am...it will time for me to retire.
Ha! Love it!! Well put.
Posted by: Greg Carroll | October 24, 2008 at 08:08 PM
Greg, loved your post!
School leaders who are so focused on the minute details aren't having fun doing their jobs and aren't much fun to work for either!
John
Posted by: John Evans | October 25, 2008 at 05:59 AM
Great post, Greg. I would add to this list people who are so tied to their cell phones that they can't sit through a meeting without taking a call. These are not people who empower others, but like control.
All the best,
Doug
Posted by: Doug Johnson | October 25, 2008 at 06:17 AM
I see the biggest difference as those who are passionate and love their careers as educators and those who don't. Your post shows clearly that you are one of the passionate ones. I feel the same way!
Posted by: Suzanne Shall | October 25, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Glad to see y'all jump on board so far. Allow me to change the tone a little for variety. I'm sure that you are good to go with only 30 hours a week. I guess I'm not that organized, smart, or whatever it is.
Personally I am offended with those people that knock off "whenever they are darned good and ready" regardless of having their work done or not (not to mention the clock or contract) - after all it will be there tomorrow, right? The reality is that someone else is likely picking up the pieces that were too unimportant to get picked up in a timely manner.
Actually, I am a workaholic, and I dont' mind. Maybe I fit all four of your so eloquently stated categories (HINT: my "family" includes my students and staff plus the five in my home). Please tell me again that I can't enjoy a FB game (District Champs), VB match (still alive in tourney play), or CC meet (last year's State Champ and a different athlete this year is District Champ and running state next weekend, but the team missed qualifying by 3 points-bummer). How about telling me that I can't enjoy the musical, a concert, or a play - I'm not very musically inclined but enjoy the students performing - even though I can't identify the oboe.
My hours don't really matter, and I enjoy the vast majority of them, but my favorite is being available to students and staff when they need me. Maybe that is why I prefer to do paperwork and such before the school is busy and while my kids are still asleep, but please don't infer that I must not be passionate about education.
Usually when someone asks me about the hours it takes, I tell them that I just show up and roam around the building, which is partially true. Chirping about how many hours hasn't been a concern for me, one way or another - everyone has their way to get things done. I guess that would be "differentiation" in the work world, wouldn't it?
I do agree with a lot of what you say, but I'm as sick of hearing about how everyone should be able to do a job in the same way with the same time, regardless of their individual situation or style, as I am hearing about how hard people work.
Seems like maybe the World isn't as Flat as some people believe it to be - at least not in terms of carbon copy people doing carbon copy jobs.
In closing, although I may not be the one on a given night, I'm glad that someone is watching to see that the lights are on and the scoreboard is working. That way we can ALL enjoy the game...like it should be.
Posted by: Marshall | October 25, 2008 at 09:11 PM
I couldn't agree with you more! It's almost a point of pride to work harder than anyone else. . .but I always question what the real motivation behind "all work and no play." I believe that balance in life is critical. While I would agree that our profession requires a great deal of work and it is easy to never be done, we need to continue to strive toward working smarter, not harder!
Posted by: Julie Evans | October 28, 2008 at 10:56 AM
This is so true, education is not about the 'time' we put in. My husband is always telling me it is just a job, that I spend way to much time working. He just doesn't understand, even after 30 years, its so much more than a job. It's what I love and who I am. The other teachers and parents don't want to hear about how much time I spend 'working' they only want to know that I am available for them and that they are important.
Posted by: Connie Cooley | October 28, 2008 at 10:56 AM
What's really funny is the fact that I'm at a meeting full of other administrators today and within the first five minutes of being here, I heard someone make "martyr"-like comments similar to this. I'm sure every profession has individuals like this, but it seems that administrators are some of the worst people like this.
Posted by: Dave | October 28, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Both Greg and Marshall have a "piece to the puzzle" about why we chose this career. There is a lot to do and we like it that way. We are never caught up (unless we aren't really spending any time with the kids) and that's the way it is and always will be. The details are important but they can drive you crazy. I think that I must be a "differentiated principal" and I like it that way.
Mark
Posted by: Mark Nixon | October 28, 2008 at 11:07 AM
It's reassuring to me to find someone else who is able to articulate so well a few thoughts that have popped into my ind when I hear colleagues express how much time THEY spend at work. Well done!
Posted by: Sandy | October 28, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Right on, Marshall!!! I have been an at-night paper pusher for over 30 years also or I would never be able to interact with my students!! My students are my children along with my daughter and her family. Doing the job right includes planning ahead so the emergencies of others don't suck the passion out of those of us who pick up the pieces.
Posted by: Karin | October 28, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Aren't we all guilty of reflecting at week's end and wishing we had found the time for a few more moments to ourselves? It only becomes an issue if we focus on the time we've invested in our 'jobs' and not the time we've invested in our 'kids'.
Posted by: Robert | October 28, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Balance is so very important...I agree!
Over time as our work and responsibilities evole and change, I find that the demands on my time and learning also change. I might need to devote additional time and energy when a new project or initiative comes on board....and it's worth it to me to invest the extra energy so that I can get up to speed and hopefully ahead of the game.....planning to be proactive. But in the midst of the new challenges and work I still need to remember my priority....family and relationships!
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Posted by: Shredders | October 29, 2008 at 12:13 AM
It is so easy to group ALL people who mention the amount of time they spend at work as martyrs. Sometimes people are not good conversation starters and use the "time spent at work" as just that - a jumping off point for conversation. Someone else might use it to evaluate the amount of time they personally spend vrs the amount of time their colleagues spend. While another might be jealous of the free time and time spent doing more exciting things others in the field have while they are still at work.
As educators we know that students regularly complain about the time they spend on homework each night. Isn't this the equivalent? Instead of complaining about these people, why don't you give them some good ideas to help them accomplish their tasks and spend less time at work??? I know I would appreciate the assistance!
Posted by: Jay | October 30, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Good Points! Great Reminders to those who constantly speak about their efforts without realizing it.
Posted by: Scott | October 30, 2008 at 11:59 AM
People who brag about how long the work and how busy they are don't know how to manage their time.
Posted by: Stevie | October 30, 2008 at 12:02 PM
I must confess I do share with my friends 'how many' hours I work sometimes and I may have a bit of a martyr complex and I may have issues with managing my time but I love my job! I really do!
Posted by: Maggie | October 30, 2008 at 12:03 PM