Sometimes I need wisdom for a weighty spiritual matter–what is God’s will for my life?  What is his plan?  What’s the next step?Yet, on a daily basis, I need wisdom much more often for the “little” things that are really big things–how I manage my life/time, and how I prioritize my days.

As you may know from my previous posts, I have not had an easy transition from summer vacation to fall semester.  While I have worked during the day at school, in the evenings at home, and on the weekends, in the back of my mind, I have been keeping a certain woman in my mind–a bit of a legend to me.  I heard that she “never takes work home,” and that if you ask here what she does at home, she will say, “Not school work.”  At the same time, this woman is accomplished in her career, polished in her appearance, and exudes the confidence of a person who really has it all together.

I ran into her at a school function on Saturday, and asked her advice.  I am so glad I did.  She gave me some very practical tips Ion creating boundaries between home and work, and planning and grading more efficiently.  I was able to put some of her advice to work immediately, and I know that it will require discipline to do some of the things she suggested.  Even so, I felt better right away.  I had an answer!  A solution!   A plan to keep my life balanced!

Today, I was thinking about wisdom, and I wondered how long I might have continued on in my exhausting and inefficient ways if I had not asked this woman for advice.  I reminded myself of my students when they have to use the library.  They struggle to find the sources they want, but it never occurs to them to ask a librarian–the people that are there to help them.  So, after this experience, the next time I am having a hard time with a task, or lesson, or issue, in addition to praying about it, I will ask myself, “Who do I know that is really good at this?”  Then, I am going to do the smart thing right off, and ask that person for some advice!  Read Proverbs 19:20 (NIV):

Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

Just in case any of my friend/mentor’s advice is applicable to you, here is a summary of her suggestions.  I realize they don’t apply to every person and every job, but just in case they are of use to you, here goes:

• Even though your last class of the day may be over at noon, force yourself to stay in your office and work until 5 p.m.  Then, force yourself to leave your work in your office.
• Instead of writing down extensive class plans, use a note card with the questions you want to ask, and they key points that must be covered.
• Use a timer when grading, and do not spend more than twenty minutes on a single paper.  Do not overwrite on the paper.  If the student has a question, he can come talk to you.
• There may be occasions when you still have to have a bit of work to do on the weekend.  In that case, get up early, make your coffee and get on it early so that you can still enjoy the rest of the day.
• You should be working 40-45 hours per week.  You could easily work 80, but there is really no need to do that.