Enjoying Work

I have always felt that is important to enjoy what you do for a living. It is easy to say that you enjoy your job..but how many of us really mean it? What are the clues to determinng if you really like your job? I have always had three rules.
1. If I ever question "Why I am doing what I do" more than two straight dayS - it is probably time to go.
2. If I ever get up and say..."Boy, I do not want to go to work this morning" more than two days in a row - it is probably time to go.
3. Do I think about work when I'm not there? Number three is two-sided....Are you thinking about the fact that the place is falling apart or wondering what your clients, employees, or coworkers are doing while you are away? Or, if the the mountains of work you will have when you return are all you can think about- you should probably move on.
The other (positive) side of the coin is - do you miss going to work? Are you wondering what is going on because you know you should have a part in it? Are you missing something significant or meaningful? Do you miss the interactions with clients, coworkers or employees?
If you answer yes to this "side of the coin" - then you are probably going to work in the right place every day.
As I have been away for the last two days due to a family illness, I have thought often of what is going on in the building. I do not worry about how the building is run in my absence - there are great people working there everyday. I am not concerned about the discipline issues that may arise - becasue they are far and few between and I know they will be handled effectively. I do miss the interactions with teachers and staff. I miss the classroom visits and the passing period conversations that take place everyday with various students. AHS is a great place to work. It is the personal interactions between all the members of the school community that make it such a great place.
So................... as I go through my list of 3:
1. Not yet
2. Not yet
3. Yes - to the good side of the coin

It is obvious to me and to those who know me - I do enjoy what I do for a living and have for most of my educational career. I hope that you all enjoy what you do and that each day is as varied and rewarding for you as it is for me. Have a great weekend!