Biting Off More Than You Can Chew?
Just a quick note to touch base. I’m at a training workshop this week. I thought it was going to be a breeze - you know, late breakfasts, early lunches, done by 5 p.m. - but it’s much more intensive than I expected. It’s also quite fascinating, so although it’s more work than I expected, it’s actually a pleasant surprise. And no, I’m not just saying that to please the boss. 
Have you ever committed to an activity or a project that you thought would be a walk in the park, only to realize it was going to take longer or require more effort than you imagined? Was it beyond your capabilities? How did that turn out? For better or for worse? Have your say by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link at the bottom. Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is BITEMORETHANCHEW. It’s good until May28th.
May 27th, 2008 at 6:22 am
Hi Carly,
2 things to come mind:
1) 10 years ago i volunteered to teach Junior Achievement to a group of Grade 8 students in a rough neighborhood. It was so tough to get the kids to listen to me that my muscles and joints ached at the end of each class that i was so stressed out. BUT by the end of the semester i had grown so fond of these kids and they blew me away when they all wrote thank you notes for me and invited me to their graduation night!
2) I am writing a book on a football team that i will be following this fall and they are in the midst of spring work-outs right now. Although training camp doesn’t start until August there have been practices and meetings since March. Also i have been doing research on the team and the school and it has forced me to do several revisions and i’ve only written 8 pages so far! Plus the regular season doesn’t start until September. Still, i’m loving the experience despite the time commitment and will keep you posted how the book evolves.
Enjoy your course and keep us posted:)
Carly’s Note: What rewarding examples! I have heard from others that Junior Achievement is more challenging than you might imagine (now you know what teachers go through), but worth every minute. Please do let us know when your football tome comes out.
May 27th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Last year I entered into the 3-Day novel writing contest. Wow, was that an experience! Now, while I completed my manuscript in time with relatively no problems I am currently editing the thing (and have been for more than half a year) which is proving to be much more work than I’d initially thought. (And not being a stranger to editing, I expected a LOT of work in the first place! Yikes!)
The funny thing is, I think I might do it all again! I must have latent masochistic tendencies!
Good luck with your workshop!
-S.B.
Carly’s Note: Latent masochistic tendencies would be to complete the editing in three days as well. Congrats and best of luck. We’ll watch for you on Oprah’s Book Club.
May 27th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Ya know Carly, after reading your blog entry, it made me realize that I’ve never really challenged myself. Never bit off more than I can chew, never tested myself to see what I’m really made of. How can one really call themselves a man, without having jumped into the deep end and said it’s time to “sink or swim”.
So with you as my inspiration Carly, I decided to type this response using only my feet. And it’s taught me alot. I learned that the little piggy that went to market does most of the work (although he is prone to cramping), and also that the little piggy that went “wee wee wee” all the way home, is a whiny, virtually useless appendage.
Carly’s Note: Yeah, but that appendage is cute and cute trumps hard-working most of the time. Still, I’m glad I inspired you to put your best foot forward, Stu!
May 27th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Actually, having done the Run for the Cure (I briskly walked b-t-w…no “running” for this gal). My famous b.f.f. Shelley that lives in Woodstock, asked 3 years ago if I wanted to join her Relay for Life Team. So I did. It is a bit of a challenge, and she and I basically pull all-nighters as I don’t think either of us would fare well if we napped in the middle of the night then got up. I’d be way too groggy. We calculated that we walked about 10 miles the first year. My pedometer broke before the next year, but we tend to keep moving.
In fact, this year’s is coming up in 2 weeks from Friday. Should be a hoot!
Lee Ann
ps I’m sure Harold Ballard had a Leafs toilet seat which would be appropriate since it was his tenure that sent them down the crapper
Carly’s Note: Best of luck to you and Shelley! Excellent challenge for a worthy cause.
May 27th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Carly,
Thanks for the memories. About 7 years ago when I belonged to a group called Parents Without Partners, I volunteered to cover an activity at one of those trampoline places, where kids go wild for an hour. How easy could that be?!?!
Got there early enough to welcome everyone only to find out that the committee member I was covering for didn’t make reservations. No time for our group had been booked and they couldn’t squeeze us in as there were birthday parties going on that day, one after the other. Tried calling the person I covered for only to find out she was on a plane to the Dominican. Let’s just say if looks could kill I would have been dead. I actually had one Dad come up to me and verbally assault me. After that I never volunteered again.
Carly’s Note: Oh, Louise! I’m so sorry. I hope after seven years you can see the humour in the situation. It’s such a “why me?” moment! The trip to the Dominican is the cherry on the sundae. I’m sure it was devastating at the time, though. I hope the woman you were covering for paid for you to spend a day at the spa. Heck, she should have bought you a trip to the Dominican!