Professor Life Is a Constant Focus on Trying to Get Ahead

If you are in the professor game, you already know what I’m about to say.One of the most fascinating things about being online is that everybody tries to correct you.They say the message doesn’t jive.It doesn’t fit their perspective.But most people following along get it.They’ve lived this life.I try to talk about my reality to the best of my ability. Not to be shocking. But it turns out to be very shocking.Here is my reality.Professor life is a constant focus on trying to figure out how to get ahead.The expectation is that you work from 7 AM to 10 PM, Monday through Sunday. Every day. And you will be frowned upon if you don’t.That is not dramatic. That is the expectation.I work a lot.It’s not enough.I constantly feel like I’m a failure.I constantly don’t measure up.And if you quantify it on metrics, it’s true.That expectation isn’t feasible.So I have to create my own life. My own nice little cocoon.I have to ignore the constant comparison. The “I’m not good enough” playbook. I have to turn it off.That’s not weakness.That’s survival.If you’re in this game, you understand every word.You don’t fix it.You learn to live a meaningful life anyway.And you walk away from the conversation.Take care. Have a wonderful day.