I wrote recently about the interview process and wondered (without sarcasm or criticism, of course) why people never prepare to be asked about their greatest weaknesses.
After that, I spent an entire day focusing on one 40-minute lesson plan. Except you can't really call it focusing, not with my 1-hr break to watch Scrubs reruns followed by a marathon facebook updating session. Oh, yeah, and lunch and snack breaks.
At the end of the day, I had my lesson plan, but that was about it. The entire day was gone, consumed mostly by unimportant things, because there was just one job to do and that was it. This may surprise you (are you sitting down?), but I was tired, grumpy, and not feeling very attractive. These symptoms don't hint at a major weakness, do they?
Technology in general had lost its appeal, so I put away the computer, hid the remote, and stepped out onto my balcony. Look! The sky! Look! Living things! Look, my root-bound plants that still haven't been repotted! This sounds like a job for...Super Gardener!
Unfortunately, Super Gardener has not made an appearance since I killed my last plants (I think the mythical goddess is holding a grudge), so I'll had to step in and do the job.
After 45 minutes of mixing potting soil, clipping kalanchoes, and shooing my cat away from the lavender, I had one large pot of lavender and sweet basil, another of cactus/succulent type plants, and a third small container of "cat grass," a seed blend that's supposed to lure the felines away from houseplants.
She's waiting for her cat grass to grow...
And I felt awesome! For the first time all day, I had energy!
If everything goes well, I won't be interviewing for another position for a long, long time, but if I'm ever back on that not-so-sunny side of the interview table, I'll be able to answer the questions. My greatest weakness is not disorganization or a lack of focus, it's that I don't allow myself enough breaks to get outside, enjoy the sun, and dig in the dirt a little bit. What I need is to get back to my roots - not culture or ethnicity or heritage, but literal roots.
Without a hobby, I can quickly become as rootbound as that poor basil plant.
Is anyone hungry for pesto?
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I know what you mean. The time slips by and I'm like...how can it be 9pm already? I haven't accomplished near enough and I'm running out of days. I've started walking the neighborhood in the mornings and that has really made me feel better. I think it has to do with just getting out and stocking up on some vitamin D before coming back inside. Of course, I then have to have a shower because it has been hotter than you know where around here for what seems to be forever (between 95*-102*)with very little rain and I am dripping enough sweat to make a nice rainfall for a large potted plant. Anyway, I think you are right that we have to create time to get out and do things to help us be more focused and successful. Thanks for your thoughts! :)
ReplyDeleteMs. P.,
ReplyDeleteHm, perhaps I should hire you to water my plants ;)
I have learned from my experience - my classroom now boasts 2 window boxes, complete with plants! Taking care of the flowers really provides a good opportunity to stop, think, and relax. Everyone should have window boxes!