This guy will love me no matter what I choose.
Right now, I have a lot of difficult decisions weighing on my mind.
As I referenced in yesterdays post, I have been considering leaving my volunteer position at the hospital. I find myself very bored at the position and I have started to dread Thursday nights. I work the 8-midnight shift - I used to be quite a night owl, but that has changed and midnight is way too late! I know that I can request a shift change, but I don't want to ask for a new shift and then leave shortly after. I have been at the position for a year and know that long term commitments are valued.
The local distress centre has contacted me regarding an application that I have submitted and I have an interview with them next week for a crisis line volunteer position. I would not start until mid-October. I do not plan on volunteering at the crisis centre and the hospital at the same time. I want to leave the hospital now, but I think I should either wait a month or just suck it up and stay for the rest of the year.
I turned to the internet for advice. Medaholic says 'doesn't matter [if you enjoy it], just do it!' In contrast, Cal Newport (study hacks) abohrs the 'laundry list' of extracirruclars and reccomends a 'zen valedictorian' approach that is characterized by under-scheduling, focus and innovation. I am torn between two big concerns: 1) my non academic portion of my medical school applications and 2) my sanity and enjoyment of life.
The other big decision that I am pondering is whether I should leave my job or not. This was not an option until very recently, and it is a pretty cool possibility. I have been at my job since 2005 and it makes up a significant portion of my non academic experience. I work at a caring profession and am in a leadership position. My employment is fairly accommodating with my education, and I am scared about not having an income. All positives aside, I have been feeling very burnt out with my job for the past many months, and the politics have been grating at me. It has become very clear to me that I am not a long term fit at the position. I was planning on leaving this job in a year and had not really considered being unemployed this upcoming academic year. Again, I am torn between the same two concerns: 1) nonacademic activities and 2) happiness. Some financial things are being sorted out and then... well, I will have to make up my mind about what to do!
Recently, I read an interesting article about 'decision fatigue'. Basically, the article talks discusses a concept called 'ego-depletion'. Research suggests that we have a finite amount of willpower and that the decision making process is mentally taxing. After making a lot of decisions (regardless of importance), we become fatigued and the quality of our decision making decreases. So how am I going to make up my mind? I think I will talk to a couple of friends and mentors, go for a run and then try not to think about it for the weekend. I find that I make the best decisions if I sit on them for a while. Assuming financing is in place, I will make up my mind on Tuesday and not any sooner!
The other big decision that I am pondering is whether I should leave my job or not. This was not an option until very recently, and it is a pretty cool possibility. I have been at my job since 2005 and it makes up a significant portion of my non academic experience. I work at a caring profession and am in a leadership position. My employment is fairly accommodating with my education, and I am scared about not having an income. All positives aside, I have been feeling very burnt out with my job for the past many months, and the politics have been grating at me. It has become very clear to me that I am not a long term fit at the position. I was planning on leaving this job in a year and had not really considered being unemployed this upcoming academic year. Again, I am torn between the same two concerns: 1) nonacademic activities and 2) happiness. Some financial things are being sorted out and then... well, I will have to make up my mind about what to do!
Recently, I read an interesting article about 'decision fatigue'. Basically, the article talks discusses a concept called 'ego-depletion'. Research suggests that we have a finite amount of willpower and that the decision making process is mentally taxing. After making a lot of decisions (regardless of importance), we become fatigued and the quality of our decision making decreases. So how am I going to make up my mind? I think I will talk to a couple of friends and mentors, go for a run and then try not to think about it for the weekend. I find that I make the best decisions if I sit on them for a while. Assuming financing is in place, I will make up my mind on Tuesday and not any sooner!
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