We all know how difficult it can be juggling school, our jobs, friends, family and goodness knows what else. Sometimes it seems like we’re burning the candles on both ends, and we just can’t seem to catch up no matter WHAT we do. It’s so easy to get distracted, especially with all the electronic devices filling up our lives, whether it’s the TV or your smartphone.
I’ve often observed this with managers and co-workers as well. They get so caught up with the little things, it can be difficult to stay on track. Projects then get pushed back, things pile up — and then they end up spending 12-14 hours a day working 6 days a week. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg talks about trying to balance family and work in her book “Lean In”. When she first became an executive at Google, She said she constantly felt worried about missing something – if she was at home with her family, she was concerned about things at the office, and vice versa. So she implemented a pretty similar policy outlined in Michael McKeown’s article The No. 1 Time Management Mistake. She cut out the non-essentials — whether that was extra meetings, phone calls, etc. She kept strict office hours, but made herself available, if needed, on her BlackBerry. She prioritized to-do list every day — and her employees soon followed. Soon, her team was completing projects more efficiently – and in less time.
I think these lessons are especially key for us as students and future managers. Learning how to focus on the essentials and eliminating distractions will help our stress levels and our work flow. And having effective time management seems particularly essential in this shortened summer semester! So how do you make time for school, work and your personal life?
Daniel, thank you for sharing. I am currently reading “Lean In” (probably a little later than most) and have found a lot of Sandberg’s points very relevant. I also like how you linked it to Michael McKeown’s article. Time management and multitasking is something we all struggle with, especially with the ever-present and innumberable modes of technology nowadays.
*Danielle
Interesting points. Only marginally related, but I’ve also struggled with prioritizing my own life outside of work when others that I work with may appear to have “more important” priorities. I have found that gently reminding team members or managers of my own commitments outside of work (be it family, personal, school, or otherwise) helps create the work/life balance we all strive to achieve. By reinforcing that we have commitments outside of the office, it’s easier to set boundaries.
I definitely agree with that! I’ve found work a lot more manageable when I’ve been up front with my supervisors about my obligations outside of work. They’ve usually been really good about helping me figure out ways to fit my school and personal schedule in with work, especially since I have a nontraditional schedule.
Danielle – Great post. Nothing could be more relevant to all of us currently. I also read Sandburg’s book and found some of her stories very descriptive for how balancing work and life can be. Whether you agree or disagree with all of her remarks, I think it can be said that she presents a strong point of view for women on how to find the balance that suits herself.
This is a topic I have consistently heard from my managers throughout my career. The article you posted helped me look at this topic in a new way. It’s not just about choosing the right projects to work on…it’s also about making sure you give those key projects your focus and time. Letting smaller tasks linger only takes away from my focus on larger and more important projects. Thanks Danielle.