A couple of weeks ago, I wrote up a personal mission statement with the hope that it would help me focus my activities. This was followed a few days later by a meeting with my thesis committee, which, as always, helps me to refocus my research and my career goals. For the past couple of months, there has been a lot of activity in many aspects of my life. Frankly, I let myself get overwhelmed. My problem is, I say “yes” to every opportunity that comes along that looks interesting. In the meantime, I take on too much responsibility, real and imagined. Maybe I’m still trying to “find myself.” I don’t know. What I need to start doing is saying “no.” No thanks, that sounds really interesting, but I have so much on my plate right now. It takes a lot more effort than I realized, to say no to something interesting, but it is the more responsible thing to do. After all, why say yes to doing something when I may let that person down because I am already so overwhelmed?
There are not enough hours in the day, or days in the week, for me to do everything that is interesting or a great opportunity. I’m working to scale down my current commitments and not feel guilty about it. If you ask me for something, and I say no, don’t take it personally! I’m still figuring this all out and working to be realistic about my life.
Anyway, since that was a more serious and personal post than I often write, here are some pretty pictures from my most recent field work trip to Green Bank to get our field mowed with losing our cables and antenna positions.
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