Its no secret that I’ve been a missing man in my professional life this semester. It didn’t catch my attention so much as it did when the Black History Month planning committee put out an email and I wasn’t on the mailing list. I’ve been really gone, man. I pulled a Ralph Ellison. I pulled a John Cena–you can’t see me on my campus. This isn’t entirely a bad thing. For anyone to continue performing at the level I was for a sustained period there needs to be a significant break period, or recharge, with the singular goal of giving the worker a chance to step away from the level of responsibility and expectation in order to renew a sense of vigor.
Economists talk about the 80/20 rule, in which 80% of the work tends to be completed by 20% of the people. This winds up being true of most work situations (and beyond!). I tend to be a twenty percenter. It takes a toll. Moreover it surprises people when you pull back and do less. It feels like suddenly you’re doing nothing. Doesn’t feel that way to me of course. I’m writing a novel, amongst other projects, coaching multiple football teams, teaching/learning, and teaching all kinds of stuff.
Still, I did-am doing less.
This minivacation of sorts renews me and fills me with that sense of professional urgency that has been lacking as of late. In other words, I’m just about ready to remind the world why I rock.
I just about believe I do again.