It has been a crazy start to the spring term. I’ve never really been a procrastinator and honestly do find that I am more efficient and more focused when I’m dealing with multiple deadlines and stress issues. I have felt disrupted this term, but I think it is because I was on sabbatical in the fall. I’ve previously had one other semester sabbatical – and I find that I had the same issues returning from that time off as well. I know, understandable, but I feel like I’ve been procrastinating for the entire fall term and feel a bit whelmed – not overwhelmed – just feel like I’ve been playing catch up for weeks.
I have also been in a life muse of sorts – realizing that I should start backing off/slowing down/learning how to say “no”. I suspect many of you find yourself dealing with the same issue from time to time. That work-life balance thing – tricky. I have a colleague that restructured her commitments to make room for a big project this year. I respect that – but so far, I don’t have the inclination to do so. I’ve imagined what I could do to reduce commitments and workload, but also realize that if I actually did that, I would somehow find a way to over-commit in new directions. They (not sure who “they” is) should have an intervention protocol for this sort of thing.
At any rate, during any career, there can be/will be pain points. Starting with the entire idea of what your career should look like? I’ve found that many simply don’t have a plan – rather than being proactive, many are simply reactive. Others are so driven that many of us have to jump out of the way before they shove us out of the way. These likely define the two extremes, so for most, it is important to take advantage of leadership training if you wish to “climb the ladder” AND it is very important to have a mentor/listening post too. It can be hard to know whom you can trust within the immediate work environment, so choose wisely. Anticipate there will be setbacks and as much as you can, be flexible in seeing the possibilities of alternative career pathways. Some of us are fine having to move to another campus for career advancement; others much prefer climbing the ladder where they are. I’ve been at the same institution for 34+ years, so I think I’m likely the guy that doesn’t want to move.
Given your workload and set of responsibilities, I can assume you are hip-deep in it. That has been the reality of those seeking careers in Distance Learning, IT, and EdTech fields. During my 20 years as an administrator, I made one major mistake that I wanted to call out in hopes you won’t repeat it. When we really move into an administrative role, the typical guardrails of 8-5 M-F disappear. Your superiors expect you to work evenings and weekends as needed/they do after all, and given the workload, it is the only time you find to catch up or to get the big project done. I haven’t found any way around this time demand reality. In my 20 years though, I never really took any annual leave/vacation time. When I finally stepped down as dean, I had 75 days of banked annual leave. That was time I could have used to decompress, time that I could have spent with my family, time that could have represented real hobbies. That’ a lot to give up. So, I do hope you do take those days off. Yes, the job will follow you, but perhaps you can delegate to a Plan B when you are not there. And best of luck in pursuit of the work-life balance!
Recommended Reading
Citing The Machine: When And How To Acknowledge AI Use In Academic Work, eCampus News
Institutions should embed an AI use framework into syllabi, program handbooks, IRB protocols, and dissertation templates
Survey: Students Lukewarm On AI Classes, Inside Higher Ed
While roughly half of college students believe proficiency with artificial intelligence tools is important to their future careers, a new survey suggests that far fewer are turning to their university for instructions on how to use it.
Despite Platform Fatigue, Educators Use AI To Bridge Resource Gaps, eCampus News
Sixty-five percent of educators use AI to bridge resource gaps, even as platform fatigue and a lack of system integration threaten productivity, according to Jotform‘s EdTech Trends 2026 report. Better integration between AI tools and edtech learning tools may help relieve educator frustration, according to a new survey
Best AI Tools For College Students: A Guide For Higher Education, EdTech Magazine
AI-driven academic productivity tools are designed to help students and researchers work more efficiently by automating routine tasks, synthesizing information and delivering actionable insights.
Here Are Why 2026 Is An Exciting Year For Community Colleges, University Business Magazine
Rising enrollment in short-term credential courses and community colleges is not a fluke. Students—including young cohorts—are favoring affordable programs that lead directly to career opportunities, and community colleges are answering the call.
New Research Dismantles The Narrative That College Isn’t Worth The Cost, University Business Magazine
Nearly half of Americans hold a degree or a short-term credential that earns them at least 15% more than those with only a high school degree, contesting the idea that college isn’t worth the tuition.
Video Of The Week
AI & Education: Generative AI And The Future of Critical Thinking, YouTube
AI is changing everything, including the way we learn. Jeff Crume explores how AI & Education are transforming classrooms with generative AI, fostering critical thinking, personalized learning, and future-ready skills. Discover the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI in modern education!
7 Free Google Free. AI Tools, YouTube
1. AI Studio Build (inside Google AI Studio) 2. Opal 3. NotebookLM (specifically the Video Overview feature) 4. Pomelli (Google Labs) 5. Gemini Canvas (inside Gemini → Tools → Canvas) 6. Nano Banana Pro (Gemini’s image generation model, inside Gemini → Tools → Create Images; also in AI Studio) 7. Multi-Speaker Audio Generation (inside Google AI Studio → Speech interface → Multi-Speaker)
