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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Penny on December 12, 2003, at 9:04:56
Does my T read Psychological Babble? I kinda hope so...I've mentioned it to her. It would be so much easier than my having to tell her all of these things face to face, though I guess that would be more therapeutic... :-)
Well, she gave me more of what I wanted last night - more concrete ideas on things I can do to help myself. She prefaced by saying, "I shouldn't be giving you career advice..." and then proceeded to tell me her thoughts about some programs in the area that would allow me to work with children. I appreciate the input. I'm always looking for new ideas - I may still go to social work school, but I'm not closing myself off to other possibilities.
Anyway, she said a couple of things that I hadn't thought of, but that made perfect sense. Let's see if I can remember them...
I was talking about how it seems I should have learned by now how to prioritize and manage my time better and not procrastinate...I continue to put myself in these positions of having projects to do and then not getting them done on time, and it's been a real problem with all three jobs I've had (in my field) since college. At first she said, "It's not about learning..." and then elaborated to say that it doesn't help for me to be beating myself up about all of this. I said, "Well, I guess I just keep thinking something should 'click.'" and she said, "What would that click be?" and I said something about how I would figure out how to not procrastinate, etc., and she said, "Or maybe you would realize that what you need is a job without so many deadlines and projects." I told her that in my field, I don't think those jobs exist, and she said maybe not, but there are other fields where you go to work and you 'do what you do' and then you go home. And, yes, there might be paperwork involved, but for the most part you perform a service or task of some kind and that's your job. She used her own job as an example, and nursing. She said that she's not good with projects and deadlines either, and she doesn't have to deal with them too much in her field.
And I hadn't thought about it that way before, but she's right. I don't do well with deadlines. I'm not a very organized person, and I don't know that I ever will be. It's something I've always admired about other people, but a talent I don't seem to possess. And I guess maybe being organized is not the only key to success and happiness, eh?
There was another point she made last night, but for the life of me I can't remember it at the moment. I hate that...maybe it will come to me.
Anyway, then I got home and checked the mail and there was a brochure from a school in Chicago, the Erikson Institute, that apparently offers master's degrees and Ph.D.s in child development-related topics. And they offer a joint M.S. in child development /MSW in clinical social work with Loyola University in Chicago. And I thought...hmmm...not that I'm looking to move any time soon, but...the family I used to nanny for is moving to Chicago soon, so it's not like I wouldn't know anyone there. Hmmm...hadn't ever really thought about that...but I guess it's something to consider.
In the meantime, I need to focus on getting through the holidays (sigh), and my T is going to be gone for 2 weeks!!! ACK!!!! She asked if my pdoc was going to be around, and I told her that he said he would. I guess it will be okay, though not easy. But at least I'm feeling better today than I was yesterday and the day before. 'Course, Fridays can have that effect.
And I guess I really need to get internet access at home so I can start looking for a job. Because it really doesn't make sense for me to stay where I am if I'm not happy here. I would like to leave under my own terms, which means I really need to get my work done and keep a low profile, but I think it makes sense for me to be looking at least. Keep my eyes open. And if it's in a field other than mine, all the better...
I'm glad my T was able to be more of what I needed her to be last night, without me having to tell her! Maybe she does read the board... hmmm....
I see my pdoc tonight.
P
Posted by Dinah on December 12, 2003, at 9:32:54
In reply to Decent therapy session last night, posted by Penny on December 12, 2003, at 9:04:56
What excellent advice your therapist gave you! I too am in a job that in some ways plays to my strengths and in some ways to my weaknesses. And I too beat myself up over what I don't do well, when the truth is that this probably isn't the right job for me and I could probably be a much more highly appreciated employee in a setting without so many deadlines, or with a boss that could help me with prioritizing, etc.
Think of all the things you are good at! It doesn't make you less valuable as a human being that you aren't good at some things. It just means you need to find the right niche for you.
Give your therapist a pat on the back from me, ok?
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on December 12, 2003, at 10:28:00
In reply to Decent therapy session last night, posted by Penny on December 12, 2003, at 9:04:56
Penny, I too am in charge of newsletters and such and have a ton of deadlines. I am always disorganized and my newsletters are always late. I never thought about the fact that maybe I should seek a career with less of that. What a great concept! Please thank your therapist for me!
It's hard being a disorganized person in a job which requires so much organization - it goes against my nature and it is a constant struggle. I can completely empathize with your situation.
Posted by Penny on December 12, 2003, at 10:36:58
In reply to Re: Decent therapy session last night (Penny), posted by Miss Honeychurch on December 12, 2003, at 10:28:00
>It's hard being a disorganized person in a job which requires so much organization - it goes against my nature and it is a constant struggle.
Miss Honeychurch,
Then I vote we both find careers where we can, as my therapist said last night, go in and be ourselves.
That was it...that was the other thing I was trying to remember. She said I needed a career where I could go to work and be myself, instead of trying to be someone I'm not.
Sigh.
Sure would be nice, wouldn't it???
P
Posted by DaisyM on December 12, 2003, at 15:40:00
In reply to Decent therapy session last night, posted by Penny on December 12, 2003, at 9:04:56
Penny,
The Erikson Institute is the Best!!! I just hired someone who studied there (special needs infants) and she is just terrific. Working with children is very rewarding and doing home visits means you make your own schedule, etc. Check out the Zero to Three web site for more information about careers with kids. One of my teachers is getting all of her loans written off by the Gov't because she is working in special ed. There are possibilities!
I'm glad your Therapist was more helpful and things feel better today. Hang on to that.
Posted by fallsfall on December 12, 2003, at 17:18:00
In reply to Decent therapy session last night, posted by Penny on December 12, 2003, at 9:04:56
Penny,
I'm glad things are a little less bleak than they were. It is so nice when our therapists can be helpful!
This is the end of the thread.
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