There are various quotes about ‘time’ and this is the one that resonates with me at the moment; the irony being how long it’s taken me to identify an image and to figure out how to put the image into this post (she types, with fingers metaphorically crossed).

I fell foul of my old friend ‘over optimism’ this week, in terms of how much I thought I could achieve. Being a time optimist is all well and good, but so is realism. I also succumbed to a hearty dose of ‘second guessing’ myself, which led to a time suck I had not anticipated. Two old and dear friends come back to visit.

I’ve taught a few sessions on how to facilitate intercultural group work and yet I found myself, in preparing for the latest one next week, doubting myself. On the one hand I truly belief it is good to examine what one has taught before, the way one did something, and to find possible improvements; we can always do better. On the other, self-doubt can quickly turn into self-sabotage if one is not too careful, or at least, lead one down that black hole in which time evaporates. I’ve been wondering why I felt the way I did this week, and I think it’s because in recent months I have heard many concerns from both faculty colleagues and from students, about the nature of group work in some classes and the fact that, many students and many faculty are equally frustrated by group work activities not providing the desired learning. It feels like we’re at a pivotal point and that there’s a lot riding on this session. I guess we’ll find out on Monday whether I’m overthinking this. In any event, time I had envisioned spending on other activities (like starting on the first drafts of an online course on “teaching and learning essentials,” going more professional development reading) was spent on rereading stuff on group work, trawling through articles and making sure there was no new nugget or gem that I’ve missed.

My other pondering is around the discussion during the Indigenous Learning Circle. I like the format of this session. We sit in a circle, having done relevant readings prior to coming together, and we talk. It is organic, natural, the conversation flowing like a river, ebbing, moving, in a natural and guided direction. I’m so appreciative of the stories people share. While I’m not typically comfortable sharing in front of a larger group of people (the 80’s song, “You will always find me in the kitchen at parties” comes to mind here), there is something about this group that helps me find my voice; eventually. And to know I had stumbled across a new way to approach teaching – beginning from the outset by working to create a safe environment – was reassuring.

And so onward to next week. I’ll be interested to find out what my reflection next week will be on the session I am facilitating on group work.

Time will tell…