Randy Pausch and getting back in the saddle

Yesterday I was very anxious about getting back to my "real life", so I settled in with Randy Pauch's "Time Management" video. A friend pointed this video out to me about 2 years ago, long before Dad was ill and as The Last Lecture was growing in popularity, but not a cult phenomenon yet.

I was drawn to him quickly. His animated lecture style reminded me a bit of myself, especially the random tangents. His quest for a better way to do things, resulting in a hodge podge of several time management methods reminded me of my searching for THE book, office supply or piece of software that will finally help me get it together. Finally, his lecture made many references to junior faculty, mentioning that putting "get tenure" on your to do list is a bad idea. He was right up my alley!

I did watch The Last Lecture video, and did follow his struggle through his web page. I was saddened by his death. When Dad was diagnosed with cancer, I understood a bit more of his talks, but didn't read or watch them the entire time Dad was sick. I was living it, I didn't need to watch it too (I felt the same way about the TV show "House").

So, with less than 48 hours until I leave, and go back to what seemed like an already stretched to the limit life, but with "long distance caregiver" added to my list of roles, what did I learn?

I was able to look back on my "usual" work habits and see a lot of wasted time. Time where I'm too tired, distracted or lazy to be productive. I've got to keep a "time journal" to figure out my good times for brain work and my good times for busy work.

My procrastination is fear. No two ways about it. Now I just need to deal with the fear.

I need to work more effiiently so that I have TIME for my family, friends and hobbies. Those have been neglected for too long.

The average American spends 28 hours per week watching TV. I know that's true in my house. There will be a TV timer, and a chunk of the evening that is TV free.

I've got one of the greatest jobs in the world, with a large amount of freedom. I need to be more responsible with that freedom.


I'm supposed to look back at the video in 30 days and see what has changed. That will be somewhere during the first week of classes. Should be interesting.