Four Weeks to Prepare

April 28, 2012

Suddenly time seems short. This continues the odd relationship with time that I’ve felt since I’ve been on the ship. When I awoke this morning I realized that I have less than four weeks before I sign off. And suddenly, the contract that one thinks will never come to an end is rapidly reaching its conclusion. On the one hand the rhythm of ship life says that the day that I leave will be just like any other day in the life of this floating community, and the day after I am gone will simply follow the prescribed pattern. To that end, as long as the hand off is smooth then there is little for which to prepare.

But the knowledge that an ‘ending’ is imminent always drives me. What did I want to accomplish in this first contract that I didn’t? How do I need to ensure that the handoff is smooth? What should I do to prepare for my return less than two months after I depart? The answer to the first question is a loaded one. When I first arrived I had no expectations other than to learn my job and make an honest contribution within the position’s defined parameters. Consequently, I had no expectations of any additional accomplishments. Yet, as I’ve learned the position, become comfortable with this new life and my service to the crew, and imagined myself continuing with Celebrity for some time to come, my desire to make a greater difference grows. I start to see how I could have been even more effective in my job. This makes me wonder if there are some ‘quick wins’ that I can accomplish in the next four weeks. I do know that I need to effectively ‘hand over’ my position to my vacation replacement. However, knowing little of how comfortable she is in this job and what her work style is like, I find myself unsure of how best to effect that transition. It will definitely require flexibility on my part. And while I’d like to establish a foundation for my return in July, much will happen in my absence that limits how effective that preparation might be. Crew will change, officers will change, new directives will arrive, all of which will mean that the environment on July 21^st, while familiar, will have notable differences.

Still, there is a new sense of urgency. Each day now seems to end far too quickly. I am making progress in advancing my impact beyond the normal routine, but each day I become aware of there being even more that I could do. I have lived this before in other jobs, of course, and I always reach the end before I’m ready. With the pace on ships, I’m afraid four weeks will seem a frightfully short amount of time. I know that all I can do is my best, but my typical ‘demons’ are beginning to haunt me.

Will my best be good enough?

And the adventure continues . . .