Apparently I have to submit a reappointment performance review by December of this year. Even though my appointment is fixed length and might not even exist come May. Also according to the chair of the department I should be looking for a job right now, even though I just finished up my old job last week and only began this one a month ago. I should also be trying to publish some of my work, or write a proposal for a book deal. At the very least I should be presenting at conferences and guest lecturing at local community events. I also need to be peer reviewed as I teach my classes, gather student evaluations to report out, even though I have no evaluations to gather as the semester has only just begun and I am brand new. All of this is necessary to look good on my performance review so that I can be reappointed (or not) to a job that may (or may not) exist.
But today I won't think too far down that road. Right now the sun is out, I have some reading to do, and warm coffee to drink. I'll prepare for my classes later on today, and think about the rest of it later. Sometimes procrastination is necessary for sanity.
This sounds like a tall task! I am reminded of my husband who after a stressful post doc in Physics left to teach high school. He now teaches at the local community college and adjuncts at UMA. I have asked him if he ever regrets or wishes he could return to university life, but it's been too long and he recounts dealing with many of the stressors you mentioned. I guess this is my way of saying I (somewhat) understand and that I am impressed with your dedication and your ability to know what's needed to manage it!
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