Is there a cure for workaholicism...

Workaholicism is not a real word but it's something that I have made up in my mind as I daily work, work, work, work, work, work, but no time out, no nothing, just work and it's results are showing up and starting to catch up with me all ready but first let's talk about the good stuff.

Alright so this week was filled with a continuance of my duties, some listed from last week and also new additions. The best part about this week for me was sitting down with the AD and Associate AD/Compliance officer, Melinda, fresh from Cali. We began to go over everything I wanted from this experience this summer, so that we can finally send my stuff in to Dr. Bourke. What I loved about this meeting was the opportunity for me to talk about my wants, my needs and also get some expectations from them. One of my main priorities is to be evaluated and to have a voice and role in athletics. Well I opened my mouth and got what I wanted that’s for sure.

After some ideas were aligned, my boss spoke about me having an active role and that could begin with student athlete orientations and me doing presentations on numerous topics that would need to be presented to them before they started their year off. Also I will work on a curriculum and game plan that can be used in the leadership program that I would like to start for upperclassmen student athletes. Since a lot of coaches are extremely busy with camps, I have picked up some of their projects as well. I just can’t believe they trust me and so fast. I must say that no they are not dumping all their work on me, I’m just swooping in and letting them know that I want a thorough experience and I can’t learn without working. I guess I have proven myself for they have heard me and still trust me with so much, so fast. Kanye would say that’s amazing. One new project I have received is to basically come up with a design and information to be placed in the new academic planners for athletes. Alas my mentoring and tutoring skills come along. I don’t know how many times I beg my kiddos to bring those bad boys and now I’m making one myself, like this is so cool for me. Furthermore, since we have a head coach vacancy in basketball, I will get to work with the search committee and let’s just say it’s a tedious process and because of NCAA regulations, I can’t say much else. I will also have the opportunity to work with compliance, learn and use the compliance system software that advisors at big time programs use, do National Letters of Intent and also formulate contracts and financial aid packages. I don’t know if it’s me but I’m slowly but surely am gaining pivotal skills and I’m too pumped.

Along with other assignments, I won’t bore you about them lol, I had two great moments this week. One was meeting with some Student Life staff on how we can collaborate during Welcome week at the beginning of the next school year. What I have learned is that for some reason, smaller schools really know how to use their resources and work well with numerous campus entities. EVERYONE knows EVERYBODY. The staff members were extremely opened to my ideas of actually having some events that can include residential, student life, intramurals and athletics as a whole. They were so excited about this opportunity and I also picked up on a cool way of how to help freshman learn to get involve. They literally have an org eHarmony type of deal that actually matches students up to what they like to do after completing an online survey. That cracked me up but I was like how cool. Anywho that’s a new assignment I’ll be working on, while meeting new people and getting this project rolling. Also I may end up working with the main student athletics rally organization (Hillraisers) this summer so that we can have all the support needed to be a success in Welcome Week. I mean these people trust me lol.

Ok so the other moment came after our meeting where my boss just wanted to let me know how I had been doing. According to her, and yes I have played this in my mind a million times, that I was a breath of fresh air. She basically thought that after the time I’ve been here that I would for sure be a success and has never had an intern know what she was doing, had a masterplan and understood athletics as well as I have and be able to juggle so much with consistency. She basically said she would hire me right now if an opening was available and will definitely keep in contact with me of any future openings at SEU or anywhere else. I sat in silence, literally. I don’t take compliments well, ask any one, and when I hear these things, I really don’t know what to say or do. I was in shock. I mean I believe her I guess. I mean I’m just trying to do my job. Not sure how to take it but I trust her, she is the boss lady and all.

Oh and one more thing. So back to my workaholic issues. I am finally noticing that I have no thing called BALANCE! TADAAAAAA!!!!! I have put my family, friends and myself to the side in order to be successful this summer and everyone is not happy about that. I feel that I have to be overly committed and have no clue how to have a balancing act which is hard to admit since I try to be the best in all I do but I just can’t. I thought if I left my school atmosphere, I would straighten up but I haven’t and I’m working a lot but this is the territory I’m in. I’m so exhausted daily and I worry that I will be 50 years old, tired and working all day with nothing else but my degrees and that’s it. Why do I hear Kanye’s interlude on college dropout playing, sigh. Anyways this is my issue for the summer and I really don’t know what to do. I am noticing the void and it’s bothering me now but I can’t shake off my dreams either. Oh well enough of the soaps, I got work to do. See I can’t even end my blog without saying work, crap!!!!!

P.S. The pic up top is of the seal on campus near the main building and no one is allowed to walk on the seal. As shown in the pic, you walk around the seal. Of course I didn't know that when I was touring the campus over Spring Break and almost got clothes-lined by boss when my foot almost touch the edge. I know the deal, won't see me attempt to get stoned on campus.