While driving home from my son's flag football practice today, he asked what else we were doing. Most days we do have other things, because my kids play too many sports, but today, I told him nothing. He responded with the sort of whine and attitude that only a 9-year-old possesses. I proceeded to lecture him for far too long about appreciating what he gets to do instead of complaining about what he doesn't get to do. As I went through my day though, I thought I may need that advice more than him.
The new semester is right around the corner, and no one has enough time. I just finished helping students prepare for the bar exam, so I am exhausted. However, I teach a 1 week intro class to our 1Ls, need to create syllabi for my upcoming bar prep classes, and still need to manage emails. Being away from everything is overwhelming. I complain when I am not at work about how much needs to get done and complain when I am at work that I need a break. During the semester, it is easy to complain about needing more time for individual feedback but also needing to teach all the classes because no one else teaches like ASPers. I am sure many of us want more leadership in the law school but also complain about the commitments if we had the role. My inner 9-year-old probably (definitely) complains too much.
Many of our complaints are legitimate, and my guess is most of us don't have enough time. We should be leaders of our respective schools. However, the focus on what we don't have has an impact on our mental health. All of us have a big impact on students' lives. The type of impact that changes career's, and for some, helps students become lawyers. I want to try to focus on the positive impact more. I am not saying don't strive to get better status or role at schools. I want to both appreciate my impact and strive to help more in every way I can.
John C. Maxwell wrote a piece recently for Success Magazine with 10 tips to stop complaining. I plan to try to focus on 1 or 2 each week to enjoy work just a little more. Every small improvement in my joy has the potential to help more students, and maybe I won't be as much of a hypocrite when I talk to my kids. Well, maybe I won't be a hypocrite on this issue at least. Enjoy the start of the semester.
(Steven Foster)
