This is going to be a very brief post indeed, but one I feel compelled to write. I have just managed to complete a paid stint of academic work that I agreed to do for the project I was employed on this past year. The first part was very straight forward and quite enjoyable - report writing is nice as you know exactly what your mission is, the task is achievable in a short time-frame and there is far less chance of getting lost in academic theories that can take you to far too many grey and dark places that only open up new problems. But the second half of the work was more challenging, involving literature review of some complicated texts and the darkness starting to set in again, taking me back to those vulnerable feelings I often had as a post-grad student and later when trying to publish. On this last stretch of the work I set myself the challenge of making the clear decision that I would spend only a certain amount of time on it (as I had gone over time a bit) and that I could not afford to spend more emotional and physical energy on it. Once I focused on achieving this I 'kept calm and carried on' and today, finally arrived at the point where I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I finally realised that 'good enough' was actually pretty good. I was not going to give anymore and after reading through it for the final time, I thought the outcome might even be received as very very good, better than 'good enough'.
So, a small victory there. Sent the file off, established closure and checked with the administrator that my invoice had gone through to payroll. I am intending not to accept any more of this work, but finding it difficult to be straight with the project manager who I quite like. I'm thinking I'll just make excuses that I've got other work on the way, and eventually I will soon get forgotten!
Yay, yay and more yay! Good feelings of elation - hope it can last a while!
Next post...thinking of developing something about post-academic life with children. Bye for now.
Yep. Good enough is no doubt way better than anyone requires. Looking forward to the next post:)
ReplyDeleteGreat! Particularly like your musing on the whole thing of good enough...
ReplyDeleteNow, let's see if my poor techniological skills allow me to join...