Have you ever had this following conversation with yourself as you thought about your upcoming week at work? “Okay, so I have six programs this week, and I should have checked out that new book I wanted to use with that group. It’s probably already checked out by now. I have those three reports due by tomorrow and that mandatory meeting that will last all day. I have the article due next week, but I won’t have time to work on that next week, so I have to somehow find that time this week. There were those four emails I read right as we were closing, but I need to learn more about that project before I can respond . . .”
It’s easy for our thoughts about our work to be more focused on our deadlines instead of the difference that we can make. Of course, deadlines are a necessary part of our work and are a good measure of how much we can accomplish and contribute to our profession. The trap that is easy to fall into, however, is measuring the success of a week based on checking off those deadlines from a to-do list instead of focusing on the real reason behind the work we do at our libraries.
Clearly, we’ve dedicated our professional lives to working with and for children and their families for the positive difference this can make. How can we remember to get out of the deadline-driven slump and focus both on those tangible and intangible reasons behind why we do what we do? At our recent North Carolina Library Association Conference I attended last month, I brainstormed some ways to make sure I focus first on the difference and then on the deadline.
1. Participate in the Profession
It’s hard to think that when we have a bunch of projects due or programs to plan that this is the time to participate even more in our profession. The truth is that it is all too easy to be constantly focused on the next monthly report or spending the budget before the end of the fiscal year. It is easy to forget the big picture of why that report and that budget matter. Volunteering to serve on an internal committee or stepping up as the youth services representative can help us to focus on the impact of our work and is also a small step in us controlling the direction of our work instead of letting our deadlines always drive us.
2. Continuing Education Continues to Matter
It is easy to fall into the daily grind of work. Participation in continuing education opportunities, whether it is through a conference or planning training for other branch staff, encourages us to become more invigorated about our work. Hearing about another library system’s best practices can motivate all of us to focus on the positive impact of one of our programs or library services. Reading blogs and professional journals can inspire us to think of that next great idea. It’s easy to want to let these professional experiences fall by the wayside if we are overwhelmed by our current workload, but the benefits of participating in these types of opportunities serves to motivate us in the long run.
3. Talk It Up
I’m sure we’ve all heard that comment from an oblivious stranger, “You went to library school? They have a school for that?” All those moments when we share about the reality of our work with those that haven’t had a chance to experience all that libraries have to offer is an opportunity to share the impact of what we do. When we discuss the benefits of our latest program or service, whether it’s with a library customer we have just met or a longtime family member or friend, we affirm the real reason behind our work.
Deadlines have a definite purpose in our careers, but they should not define it. What tips have you learned to remember to focus on the bigger picture and not to get bogged down by those deadlines? Please share in the comments below!