Jan
23
When do you step back?
There comes a time for a boundary line. A boundary line that has too be found and put in place.
For me, there are two things that I struggle with finding a balance on:
1) When do you turn your phone off and when is it right to not text back?
2) When do you take yourself out of the high school/middle school drama and remember that the students you are working for, are still students and they are still learning?
I am not sure if there is a concrete answer for either of these two boundary lines that I am struggling with. There seems to be this overwhelming tension in my life about when it is time and when it is not time to text. There is a tension with figuring out when I have to remember that the students that I work with are still young and are still growing. It is hard sometimes to remember that students need guidance and not a mediator, but the problem for me is when is that time right?
More and more it seems that as a youth worker I have to find that boundary line and remember when and when I don’t step in and say things.
What do you guys think?
Is there a line that I need to put out there? Is there a distinct time that I need to know when or when not to ignore a situation?
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” 1 Timothy 4:2
How far do we take this idea of being prepared in and out of season?
How have you found the balance to stay prepared but also stay in tune with who you are and where your family is at?
I know I have had to grow to the place where I typically do not answer the phone or text on my day off. It has made some people mad. And certainly some have not understood. But I had to realize my first priority is to my family. That is true in both time with them (i.e. not texting while I’m with them on my day off) and concentration (i.e. if I answer the phone i am then distracted). Not perfect at it but have grown.
Thanks Doug. That does make sense. I guess it is easy to pick up your phone and check it while your out with your family, or while you are on your day off. It makes sense that it is difficult to find that balance. Would you say that you have benefitted from taking that time off? Has it gotten easier?
No matter what industry, you need to set some sort of boundaries between personal and work life. 20 years ago, this was not an issue. However, between social media, smart phones, and the ability to always be in communication with others, the lines have blurred. Now, when we are away from our modes of communication, we go into withdrawals and frantically look at our mail the moment it becomes available.
Believe me, you and I may work in totally different industries, but your observations are becoming more universal.
Setting time aside for me, my family, and my work within the church is becoming more important to me. And believe it or not – it has made me better as a leader within my industry. One thing that helps is making sure that your “audience” understands that sometimes you will not be available but will return their message as soon as possible.