President’s Office

Bearings - April 2022

Bearings Banner April 22, 2022


Take Your Time

“Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence. Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.”

― Maya Angelou, Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now


Dear Ursinus Family,

Self-care is elusive. It sits in the back of our minds and whispers its name, but in such a faint voice, it often goes unheard. For the time it takes to read this edition of Bearings, I hope to put at least one phrase front and center in your thoughts: TAKE YOUR TIME.

I mean this in both senses: Slow down. And schedule time off.

I know you feel that may be impossible, as there is work to be done, there are bills to pay, and people to care for. I understand. But add yourself to the list—and give yourself priority status.

You may have heard of a new phenomenon called “time blocking,” but a few of us have been doing this for decades before it was a “thing” with a “name.” For me, I literally write out directions like “get up,” “get ready,” “exercise.” I block the time in my day, each day, in a handwritten calendar that I keep for myself. What’s old is new again!

This failsafe process began when I had four young boys—when I had to find time for everything. It’s a routine so many of us are familiar with. I would get up at 5 a.m., take care of some cleaning, and do whatever I needed to get myself ready and organized. I’d try my hardest to wake up the four boys and get them pulled together in my second spring before breakfast. And right before I walked out the door, I would run into my room and put my last article of clothing on, hoping beyond hope I would somehow get to day care unscathed. Just in case, I had a change of clothes ready. This was the only way I was able to cope.

The real revelation came, however, when a nail salon opened in Collegeville. As a young professional at Ursinus, I knew this was not de rigeuer, but a luxury. In that hour, I found time for myself. Because that one hour of indulgence was like recharging a dead car battery on the darkest day of winter.

Later, I received an incredible piece of professional advice: to block time as a leader and “just be.” As I was moving into leadership roles, an acquaintance told me that if I never did this, I would never have time to think. And if I could not simply think, I could not develop a vision, a strategy, a way forward; in short, I could not lead. With new roles came long flights and far too many layovers. I started adding time to my schedule for this in cities when I travelled, and then, after I left two laptops under my airplane seat (thankfully recovering them each time), I decided that airplane time would be protected time to think, write, or read. That small gesture changed my life. I stopped working on airplanes and avoided logging on to computers in terminals. And my friend was right—I became a better professional as a result.

T.S. Eliot once wrote that “April is the cruelest month.” Whatever your interpretation, I find it to be true, especially looking at an academic calendar. Schedules are crammed with exams, papers, events, and more. Looking at the month all at once may feel like viewing a Rorschach inkblot that you are trying to discern. So, maybe it is time for all of us to think about “time blocking.”

And while you are at it—this is a sincere message to all my campus colleagues—start thinking ahead and plan your time off. Last May, Forbes published an article citing a study by the World Health Organization that found hundreds of thousands of Americans suffered deteriorating health from working 55 hours or more a week. Unfortunately, that’s been a reality for so many of us on campus, especially during the pandemic. Taking vacation time is essential to employee survival; time off from work is “integral to well-being, sustained productivity and high performance,” the author noted.

Last week, we announced a summer pilot program, adding new holidays, and again rewarded employees with new wellness days. Yesterday, we introduced a new parental leave policy that expanded paid leave to care for and support growing families. These decisions were made with you in mind. We’re committed to your wellbeing and want you to be as well.

There may be no perfect scenario and life always hands us unexpected moments. However, taking a step back, drawing a deep breath, and seriously looking at a day, a week, or a month, before planning “me time” is essential. It may feel as if others are placing all of the demands on your time—that’s understandable. Ultimately, you are permitted to control how much time you give over to each aspect of your day. Sometimes you have to start small—a few short breaks in your day—but I hope you will take just one step forward for yourself in the coming weeks.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I think that Dr. Angelou’s whisper of self-care is calling your name.


Gratefully yours,

Jill Leauber Marsteller ’78, P’18
President


This is the sixth in a series of monthly columns from President Marsteller titled, Bearings. If you’d like to share your thoughts or reflections on this piece, or those moments in time that have shaped who you’ve become, please feel free to email us at presidentsoffic​e@ursinus.edu.