| Have you ever heard about people who were in a | | | | across campus, barely greeting anyone I knew |
| boat when it capsized? And then you found out | | | | and purposely ignoring everything interesting that |
| that they survived because there was a 'pocket' | | | | might distract me (and of course, not stopping in |
| of air that they were able to breathe? This is the | | | | the bathroom). Harumph! This was not a smart or |
| concept of 'pockets,' that is, little (or big) hidden | | | | efficient way for me to behave. |
| reserves that we can tap into when we need to. | | | | So, I made a decision: I decided to make that |
| Putting in these pockets can make the difference | | | | year (and it's been a constant, continuing quest) |
| for you of either being calm or crazed. Which | | | | the year of time "putting in pockets." If I had a |
| would you prefer? | | | | breakfast meeting that started at 8:00 and I |
| Several years ago, I started thinking about this | | | | knew it took 15 minutes to drive there, I would |
| concept because I noticed that I didn't have any | | | | leave at 7:30. Gosh! What if I got there early?! |
| 'pockets.' At that time, I was the Director of the | | | | Here's what happened: I was calmer and more |
| Excellence in Teaching Program at the University | | | | ready to meet, pay attention to my colleagues, |
| of Nevada, Reno. See if my situation was similar | | | | and think. |
| to one you have in your own life. | | | | So, what I want you to do right now is to read |
| If I had a 10:00 meeting across campus, and I | | | | through the following list, and ask yourself |
| knew that it took me ten minutes to walk from | | | | whether you have any pockets in one, all, or any |
| my office to the Provost's office, I would leave | | | | of these areas. Use the concept of 'pockets' being |
| at 9:50, working right up until the moment I | | | | reserves that allow you to 'breathe' when your |
| needed to leave. I was, of course, thinking how | | | | boat capsizes. |
| efficient I was. WRONG! A 10-minute walk across | | | | |
| campus would only work if:a) I didn't see anyone I | | | | 1. Time |
| knew along the way (and that wasn't going to | | | | 2. Wealth |
| happen after 15 years on campus),b) I didn't | | | | 3. "Stuff" |
| notice something interesting to look at (students | | | | 4. Home, kids/family |
| doing something, a new set of plantings, a poster | | | | 5. Work |
| that begged to be read), andc) I didn't need to | | | | 6. Health |
| take a quick restroom break on the way (also | | | | 7. Energy |
| highly unlikely since I'd been working all morning | | | | 8. Ideas |
| and drinking coffee!) | | | | I hope thinking about the pockets in your life--be |
| So, in order to be "on time," I'd be charging | | | | they roomy or small--is useful to you. |