Snapshots Announcements Spotlight UTSA Athletics

June 2011, Issue 11





Message from the Vice President

Dr. Gage E. Paine

Do you have colleagues that always talk to you about how busy they are, who always focus on how much they have to do, how overwhelmed they are? It can be a little crazy-making, can’t it? I ask because I’m trying to find a way to acknowledge a reality and yet not be one of those busier-than-thou people. What I’m trying to do is be honest and admit that, this week, I have not reached my professed standard in getting some of my work done – namely writing this essay for the newsletter. Now, Andra and Renee, who often have the unenviable task of transcribing my scribbles, will tell you this assignment often gets pushed closer to deadline than I (and they) would like.

Usually though, I have an idea or theme – a quote to get me started. Not today. Monday off was great, but it meant Tuesday was filled with two days worth of meetings. Often, I write in the quiet after 5:00, but last night found me laughing at Sam dancing in the lanes, cheering BJ on as she bowled for the first time ever, and having a great time generally with the wonderful people of our division. I wouldn’t trade that energizer for anything. Yet here I sit, unprepared to write, and Melissa is waiting on me.

The goal today is not to tell you how busy I am or moan about my schedule. The reason I landed on this topic (and believe me, I debated whether or not to write this), is to be honest and admit that sometimes the calendar gets the better of me, too. I try to practice what I preach/teach on time management and reflection and finding time to think and not working to the deadline. The operative word here is practice. Like the old joke – “How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.” Like the Desert Woman tells the awkward new bird in Roadrunner’s Dance, “You need only to practice.”

There are two other important actions we can do when the day gets away from us – ask for help and practice forgiveness. Perfection is not a worthwhile goal – we have to admit we’re human and need some assistance or find out if a deadline can be moved. We have to forgive ourselves when we don’t do as well as we’d like and keep on practicing. It’s the only way to get better at anything.


Best wishes,
Gage