"WHAT STRATEGIES CAN YOU USE TO KILL YOUR PROFESSIONAL WEEDS? Part II"

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

“WHAT ARE THE WEEDS IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? Part II”

Weed-wise, here are 2 more categories to consider:

2. WEEDS IN YOUR HEART: Have you isolated yourself and become hardened and cold in your relationships as a means to survival? A hardened heart will be manifested in your daily attitudes, words, and actions. It can distance you from important people and activities in your life.

Has your professional growth in teaching and research come to a standstill or regressed? Have you become rigid and resistant to interactions with colleagues and students? Are you toting around negative relationship baggage or harboring grudges, resentment, anger, or jealousy?

Remember, the objects of your harboring are happy and free; while your harboring may be making you miserable. STOP harboring! Let go of your harbor. Have you said to yourself: “I’ll succeed by myself by the hook or the crook? I don’t need anyone; I can do this by myself.”

3. WEEDS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS: Who are your professional friends and heroes? Are the colleagues with whom you hang “discouragers”? Are they the negative haunting voices of cynicism and pessimism? Their voices can be like chains around your neck or shackles around your legs that can drag you down? They can squelch your spirit to succeed and suck the life out of the efforts you have made. They are poison to your professional progress.

How is your weed list coming? Didn’t make it, huh? Trying to remember them? Well there’s more on the way with the last two categories.

COPYRIGHT © 2010 Ronald A. Berk, LLC