Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Faculty Work-Life Balance Series (2/5) - Tips for Faculty Work-Life Balance (A Few Neat Resources)




Readers,

Work-life balance is one of my favorite subjects to research in my organizational communication endeavors. I usually research millennial employees and their perceptions of work-life balance, but I really think that I should apply the work-life balance research and issues to my own life. 


Here's a great TED video from Nigel Marsh on How to Make Work-Life Balance Work:






If you need to discover exactly HOW MUCH time you are spending on each of your daily activities, here's a neat calculator from CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/06/04/balance.calculator/

Also, CNN has a neat quiz focused on Weisure (the combination between work and play):
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/05/08/weisure.interactive/index.html


Here are a few additional resources that would help male and female faculty members survive the work-life balancing act. 


San Francisco State University - Top Ten Tips on Finding Personal and Professional Balance 


A More Family-Friendly Ivory Tower
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2010/01/flexibility.aspx

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.
Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41
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Monday, September 5, 2011

Faculty Work-Life Balance Series (1/5) - 10 Ways to De-Stress This Semester!!

Readers,

This semester (and other semesters) are usually filled with stress (at one time or another). This year, I plan to minimize my stress as much as I possibly can by doing the following: practicing yoga, eating healthy foods, maintaining an increased level of organization between work and home, attending church, and maintaining a positive attitude. 

In addition, the local public library is sponsoring a reading challenge for adults during the fall semester and I cannot wait to start reading my fiction and non-fiction books related to non-academic issues (a slight break). I plan to read at least one book a week (or every two weeks). We shall see!

During the labor day weekend, I started planning my fall garden and reading the forgotten magazines from the summertime. I am finally finished reading my issues of Self, Glamour, Family Circle, Better Homes and Gardens, Inc. (one of my favorites), and Woman's Day. I enjoy reading magazines because this slight break enables me to refocus on my academic schedule during the week. 

In the September 2011 issue of Self, there was a great mini-article titled, "Self's 10 Quickie Ways to...Get Rid of Your Stress". Here are the quickie ways:

1 - Download the Just Inhale App (4.5/5 Stars)
This app is FREE and it encourages users to practice several breathing exercises.
Breathing Zone Free - Relaxing Breathing Exercises

2 - Chomp on Chocolate

3 - Strike a Yoga Pose
*Oh yeah, this month is also National Yoga Month. Find a FREE Yoga class near you!

4 - Say NO! 
*This semester is going to be an extremely busy semester for me and my daily mantra is focused on the word, "no". I will NOT do anything that will not benefit my tenure portfolio this year.

5 - Give Back by Volunteering
*As academics, I think that we have the volunteer aspect covered, but just in case you need some additional service on your plate, you can search for local volunteer opportunities on http://www.volunteermatch.org/
VolunteerMatch

6 - Pucker Up
*Kisses actually help humans release feel-good hormones. :)
 


7 - Play Away Angst (DOWNLOAD a GAME)! :)
*Right now, I love the Angry Birds Game - Rio Edition. :)

8 - Light a Lavender Candle
*I love lavender, but unfortunately we are not able to have candles in our offices. As a result, I purchased a few Glade Sense and Spray devices which spray a beautiful fragrance when I enter my office in the morning. In addition, this device is GREAT when a student enters the office as well. Sniffing lavender can help us lower levels of stress-related chemicals. :)

9 - Plan a Vacay
*This is one thing that I have NOT planned this semester. Most of my travel plans involve academic travel. I need to plan a short vacay for a few days around Thanksgiving. Any ideas?


10 - Pet a Pooch
*Our family has a miniature schnauzer that makes our lives complete! There is nothing like coming home to a furry dog that is excited that you have arrived back home after a long day! :)

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.
Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41
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Friday, September 2, 2011

Hello Fall 2011 - Post 5/5 - It's Friday! Reserve Your Free Breakfast Entree at Chick-Fil-A!



Readers,

This week, I am super excited about the opportunity to RSVP for the Chick-Fil-A Free Breakfast Entree next week! I drive by a Chick-Fil-A every morning on my way to the university and I cannot wait to take advantage of this free offer. Use this website link to RSVP - http://www.chick-fil-aforbreakfast.com/Start. I just sent this message to my students as well! :)


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.
Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41
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Thursday, September 1, 2011

Hello Fall 2011 - Post 4/5 - My Personal and Professional Goals for Fall 2011!



http://www.flickr.com/photos/lululemonathletica/
Readers,

Here are the goals for this semester! Keep me accountable!

Professional Goals:

1 - Help at least four student groups submit their research papers for publication.
2 - Help at least six student groups submit their research papers for the various symposiums this semester.
3 - Submit at least three of my own articles for publication.
4 - Write at least three articles this semester.
5 - Plan the "Social Media Conference 2011"! :)
6 - Keep my blog updated.

Personal Goals:

1 - Save, save, save! :)
2 - Start fall/winter garden.
3 - Cook meals at home instead of eating out.
4 - Serve the college student ministry at our church!
5 - Build better interpersonal relationships!

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.
Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41
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