one step forward, and two steps back
I’ve always been a kind of big picture person. It’s not that the details don’t interest me, but that I get wrapped up in the larger implications and sometimes forget the smaller steps. So I write articles with big ideas but need to go back and trace out how I got there. In another example, we’re planning our Spring Conference for the department — and I’ve taken the lead on it, calling it Learning 2.0. The gist is about using technologies from “preschool to beyond” — everything from wikis and blogs to digital storytelling, Second Life, gaming, and more. The idea of the conference wasn’t hard, but the details — choice of words for the flier, for the campus email list — finding breakout rooms — figuring out where everyone is going to park — reserving food. There’s so much to this that I need to remember — and I am delegating most of it, don’t you worry. But I have to say that I feel my plate to be very full right now with writing and teaching and now coordinating a program that I am afraid I will forget to do something related to the conference. The more you prove yourself effective at your job, the more you are likely to get to do. I love my job — but I have to remember to protect time for writing, reading, and thinking so I don’t love it any less.
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Dana,
This same process plagues me as well; I am always one with great ideas, and usually end up relying on colleagues for the logistics of implementation. I think the first step is facing this head-on, which is why I have gotten myself wrapped up in something similar to your conference, but in my case it’s a class that I am creating.
On the subject of your conference, have you released RFP’s for this? I presented at the Turning On Learning Conference and had a great experience with the group I led there. If you have, can you please contact me regarding where I can obtain one?
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Remember to write everything down. Double and triple-check. Delegating is the way to go but know who you are dealing with. Good luck on everything.