How do I please everyone?! Honestly!

This has been a constant dilemma of mine, but right now it has been brought to the forefront by a simple email from a professor of mine. I don't think she reads this blog, so we're safe to just cut and paste...


"I would like to request permission to miss the Masterclass next Friday. I have a lab from 2-5 on Fridays, and there is one scheduled for next week. Sorry! Let me know if I should do something to make it up.
Thanks,
Tiffany"

and the reply...

"Tiffany,
William Preucil is one of the most outstanding and respected concertmasters in the world! Please ask your professor if you could leave early that day and attend the Masterclass 4-5. You would have 2 hrs in the lab. Explain you are a music major and we have one of the finest violinist in the world on our campus. This is a unique opportunity. With such a heavy academic load this year you will have conflicts and have to make choices and music events should be at the top."

Are you kidding me?!! This is my academic future! I'm sorry but I've seen a million violinists at this point. Does she want me to fail biology and lose my scholarships? Honestly! I specifically waited to find a science with a lab (something I need to graduate) that wasn't on Tuesday or Thursday, just so I could be at orchestra every rehearsal. I'm doing my best!


Ok, I've vented.


But seriously, how do I please everyone? It seems with the outrageous schedule I have, someone's going to be disappointed in me. That feeling cuts me too deep.

There's a chance I made a very prestigious quartet this year. If I accept, I get scholarship money, a chance to improve my chamber music skills with private coaching, and a very nice addition to my resume. So you say, "Goodness Tiffany! Take it!" The downside, four extra hours of rehearsals a week. The rehearsal cuts into a weekly BCM event that I very much want to be at. Often people don't understand the actual amount of rehearsals I have and HAVE to be at. I don't want the people of LTeam to be disappointed in me. I want to be there. I honestly don't know what to do at this point.

I have a limited amount of free time as well. I want to see all my friends, but I can't see every one of them every time I have half an hour or so. Who I choose to spend my time with seems to disappoint someone every time. It doesn't matter what the choice is.

Some might say, "Tiffany, do what makes you happy." I would tell them, "Well, just being here makes me happy." I often choose the thing that will bring me the greatest reward. That's my human nature. I hate the selfishness in me. But sometimes I just want to put others before myself. I want to be able to make everyone happy. I don't want to disappoint people.

I realize I can't please everyone, but how in the world to I find a happy medium?

Help!




*Disclaimer* I can't believe I have been this open on the internet! Weird!!!!