Planning

Like most long-term athletes I plan. A lot. I plan my meals, my workouts, my races, and my recoveries. I also reflect, with the hope of planning better in the future. I keep journals of what I eat, what workouts I've done, and the private and public thoughts that I have (in a journal and on this blog, respectfully). But it's not just running I plan: since I like to have a busy schedule, I (feel as though) need to plan everything.

When I was in school the planning came so easily. I had a class schedule and crew practices already built in. My rest times came in the form of school vacations. Everything else was time for homework. Now, without school, I have no plan, and it's scary.

I have envied my friends who want to be doctors only because they know what they will be doing for the next seven years. I on the other hand, have every option in the world: I can live anywhere, work in any field, and participate in any activity I want. The only thing I have figured out is with whom I will do all of this stuff (which is arguably the hardest part for most people).

Joining the "real world" hasn't given me any career breakthroughs; I haven't yet found my passion. It has, however, led me to find qualities in my current job that I like and some that I don't.

What I like: using my intellect; helping people; learning; having a comfortable atmosphere; not working for The Man
What I don't like: talking to people all day; not being appreciated; doing mainly administrative (mindless) tasks; feeling as though I'm not growing; having to clock in and out

I have also realized that I want to have a career AND children, both preferably before I turn 30. Thus, I've recently turned my attention again towards graduate school with the hopes that I can go to school and have babies at the same time, then work. It can't be that hard...