Setting Priorities

It's been three years since I stumbled onto Squidoo. At first I thought I would quit teaching and work online full time. I could, but have since decided that I'm not willing to give up my teaching career. Teaching is important to me. Until I retire (four more years,) it will take precedence.

My students want and need my attention.

My writing is personal. It is a passion that has evolved over the last ten years. Writing a book started out as a dare that turned into a goal, and then a reality. My first novel, My Mother's Shoes, was published three years ago. I was looking for a means of promoting my book online when I stumbled across Squidoo.

I may publish another book one day, but writing online offers immediate gratification without having to deal with editors and publishers. They can be an aggravating lot.

I write and publish some articles and book reviews, but most of my online writing is on Squidoo. Since joining Squidoo on March 16, 2008 I've built 248 lenses. I hit fifty and then a hundred before I really understood the potential. I could reach 500 by the end of the year...

But... but... butt...

My butt would widen...

The little bags under my eyes would turn into suitcases...

The dust bunnies under the bed would develop teeth...

The list of dire consequences is endless. I'm fairly sure my family would object to Chinese takeout for Christmas dinner, and I doubt my Bible study group would appreciate a box of day-old donuts instead of warm, homemade cookies. Five hundred lenses is not a realistic goal. I could reach it but it would cease to be fun and turn into work. I already have one job. I don't need another.

Three-hundred and one lenses-now that I can do.

Three-hundred lenses would be one a week for the next year. It's a reachable goal but there's nothing special about it.

Nothing Special.

I have a problem with that. I want my goals to be exciting and unique, and just a little bit over the top. As I am trying to learn restraint, one over the top is enough.

Children usually learn to say no by the age two. "NO!" is the hallmark of the terrible twos.

Terrible!

The transition from "no" to agreeable children and then people pleasing adults is encouraged, even lauded. We learn to say yes or at the very least soften the no with excuses and explanations. Even with legitimate excuses we are often fraught with guilt.

Is saying no a selfish act?

Sometimes, but there comes a time when saying no is the right thing to do. I will always be an agreeable adult. There will be times when I want to say no but will end up saying yes. That's not going to change. When a new teacher comes to me for help with their grade book or wants help building an interactive lesson, I'm not going to say no. It's a part of my job and sharing my expertise is important.

But there are times when saying no is the best option. I don't want to be on another committee or sponsor another student group. I need to learn how to say no.

The experts claim that it just takes practice...

No! No! No! No!

I love to Squidoo and will continue to build lenses for years to come. With my schedule the key is to pace myself. I will not be sitting at the computer until my shoulders ache and yawn through my classes for lack of sleep.

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