Get organised – the yes edition: decluttering the do-list
“Stop saying yes to everything…Learn to say no….” This is the first piece of advice you will get if you look for ways to lower your load, find a better balance in your life, and avoid reaching overload and burnout. Over the last six months or so, I have had the opportunity to work with a life coach via an academic leadership programme. Having too many things on my plate and being constantly busy was the first thing that came out from my self-reflection and how others see me. Let me get that right now. I need to stress that these things are related to all the extra things an academic does and, indeed, not the standard components of one’s job. Academics also demonstrate academic citizenship by participating in projects, associations, think tanks, and committees. Also, an academic’s job is flexible, which can be a benefit and a vice at the same time: it can be used efficiently to prevent burnout (Friday morning breakfast with friends is possible because I can work at any other tim