Reflection and Reevaluation

As we approach the midpoint of 2010, it’s a good time to reflect on how key events this year have impacted your perspective on life and your priorities both personally and professionally, and to reevaluate where you’d like to spend your time and energy. Reflection is a key part of adult learning, as is adjusting to shifting perspectives. The more you practice reflecting on all areas of your life, the more you grow.

I had a baby in March, my first, and boy have my perspectives and priorities changed! I knew they would, but I had no idea how until baby Shelby arrived. I had planned to finish grad school at the end of the fall and to run a half-marathon, my third, in mid-October. I was hoping to attend a conference out-of-state at which I’m to co-present a workshop on using Twitter to encourage engagement and retention beyond the classroom, and I wanted to start volunteering again this summer. I had even hoped to start working full-time not long from now.

After three months of perpetual fatigue, occasional frustration, and exuberant joy, however, I now realize that finishing grad school, while important, is probably something I’m going to need delay until next year, mostly because I want to spend quality time with my little girl. I’m pretty sure I can still run that half-marathon, but my training won’t begin as soon as I envisioned and it won’t be nearly as dedicated as in the past. And I’ll need to train largely on my own versus with a team because I can’t commit to group runs. I’ll be able to contribute to the content of the conference workshop, but I’ll probably have to let my co-presenter attend on his own. Volunteering will almost certainly have to wait until next year or beyond.

As for working full-time? Well, I’m enjoying the balance of part-time work and full-time motherhood, so why rush a good thing? Shelby will only be this tiny and dependent on me once, and if I let these important developmental months pass me by, I’ll regret it. She is so incredibly adorable, and I’m lucky to have the ability to spend a lot of time with her and to work as part of a company that values balance and personal development, so I’m going to enjoy my days off with Shelby while I can. At least, that’s my plan for now!

What events so far this year have served as a catalyst to change your perspective and priorities? How have you adapted to them and how would you like to see the rest of your year play out as a result, both personally and professionally?