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On being in two places at once. Jeff von Munkwitz-Smith University Registrar University of Connecticut. Keep your sense of humor!. Categories of advice. Handling the workload Avoiding having your department fall apart while your away Coping with the stress. Handling the workload.
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On being in two places at once Jeff von Munkwitz-Smith University Registrar University of Connecticut
Categories of advice • Handling the workload • Avoiding having your department fall apart while your away • Coping with the stress
Handling the workload • Get really good at time management! • Keep track of what needs to be done: both the immediate “critical path” items and the tasks a bit farther out. • Understand that not everything worth doing is worth doing right.
Workload … • Just say “No”, to your boss, to your staff, and to pesky friends who want you to speak at conferences. • Delegate, Delegate, Delegate! • Know what you’re good at and what you’re not and concentrate on the former.
Still more workload … • Get out of your office to work on the project. • Limit interruptions. • Have an understanding family.
Avoiding having your department fall apart while you’re away • Before you start, prepare your staff. • Make sure someone always knows where you are and when you’ll be back.
Falling apart … • Accept that life goes on without you: you can’t be at every meeting or be involved in every decision. • Delegate, Delegate, Delegate some more!
Coping with the stress • Recognize that you’re going to have good days and bad days and try not to get too excited about either one.
More stress … • Remember why you’re doing it: to borrow a phrase from the Civil Rights Movement, “keep your eyes on the prize”. • Have someone you can commiserate with, vent to, bounce ideas off of, get good advice from, etc.
And even more stress! • Develop a thick skin. • Exercise, eat properly, and get enough sleep. • Take vacations. • Have fun!
One final thought: Maintain a positive attitude! • “Think you can. Think you can’t. Either way, you’re right.” – Henry Ford • Luke Skywalker – “I don’t believe it!”Yoda – “That is why you fail.” – George Lucas