WARNING: Yo, 3D-IMAX fans!! If you were expecting a deep body massage, aromatherapy candles, or Betty White cracking wise in this blog, fawgetabbouttit. None of these will happen in this blog series on weeds. I’m withholding those treats for special-occasion blogs, such as those on Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Passover. Stay tuned.
The strategies for heart weeds will be covered below:
2. HEART: (NOTE: This paragraph is not for the faint of "you know what." Buck up.) Soften your heart. Rid yourself of those nasty weeds that have grown in your heart over time. Let go of those weeds. Change your attitudes, words, and actions to foster positive relationships in your work environment. Repair any damaged relationships with colleagues and students. Demonstrate care and compassion for the people with whom you interact. Reach out to them.
Direct some of your energy toward growth in your teaching and research. You should be learning nonstop. Attend faculty development events and conferences, especially if I come to your campus. Haha. They’re for your benefit.
That growth will revitalize you and pump adrenaline into everything you do. It’s like gulping down one of those turbo-charged, high-energy sports drinks. That'll get your heart a thumping! Those drinks will definitely kill weeds and even small critters. (NOTE: It is not the official policy of this blog to endorse any product or controlled substance. I’m just really into figurative language.)
My next blog will tackle one the most difficult categories of weeds: poison ivy. WROOONG! It’s: Relationships! To prepare, I’m going to practice on my lawn right now. See ya tomorrow.
COPYRIGHT © 2010 Ronald A. Berk, LLC
3D ALERT: This blog is being transmitted in 3D IMAX by Pixar Animation Studios. If it doesn’t appear that way, it’s because you haven’t put on your 3D glasses yet, you need a BIGGER screen, and you still believe in Peter Pan. Get with the program. Enjoy my blog.
HOW TO KILL THE WEEDS IN YOUR DEPARTMENT
So what alternative techniques can you use (and get away with) to rid your professional life of those evil weeds? I know you can’t wait to start whacking.
Before your first whack, you need something to whack.
IDENTIFY THE WEEDS quickly before they grow. They can pop up everywhere and at any time You know that little baby ugly weeds can grow like wildfire into big ugly hairy daddy weeds. Grab them quickly and wring their baby stems.
Let’s investigate the possible strategies for attacking the weeds in the aforementioned 5 categories. The remainder of this blog will address the weeds in your mind:
1. MIND: Consider an attitude transplant to respond positively and constructively to the disappointments, rejections, and failures along the academic trail. Suck it in and cut off these weeds at the stem. Don’t dwell on the weeds. Attack your manuscript or proposal revisions, class preparation, committee work, course changes, and professional adjustments from evaluations with the vigor and rigor of your initial engagement.
Adopt a shotgun approach: Make sure to have numerous “potential products” being reviewed and in progress at all times so you don’t obsess over any single manuscript or proposal rejection and maintain an optimistic perspective that something will succeed. Consciously avoid any negative self-talk when you take a hit. What counts most is how you respond or react to each weed when you see it. Whack it immediately. Don’t let it gain a foothold or a hold of your foot. And, by all means, KEEP MOVING FORWARD!
My next blogs will continue with strategies to kill the weeds in your heart, relationships, time, and environment. Happy weeding!
COPYRIGHT © 2010 Ronald A. Berk, LLC
