Balancing Work/Life/School

"When people go to work [school], they shouldn't have
to leave their hearts at home." Betty Bender

If you are like most people, each day is a struggle to parcel out the time you have available, and if you have multiple roles (spouse, parent, student), the issues are compounded. Some of the concerns might include:

What do I do if my child or my normal caregiver is sick?
Am I giving enough time to my spouse?
Am I a "good" parent (i.e., Is my house clean? Are meals nutritious?)?
Am I doing my part at work?
Any I taking good care of myself?
Am I doing enough for my elderly parent?
Is my schoolwork suffering?

The best answer is for work and social structures/attitudes to change to offer employees more flexibility.  Most people are already doing a good job of managing their time, but if you are one of those who thinks he/she can improve, here's an exercise.  For more ideas go to the Campus Services and Perks section at this Web site.

Try this:

The Bowling Ball Exercise (thanks to Rockhurst University Continuing Education)

• Image a box 2x2x2 feet. That's your day.
  
  
• Imagine a bowling ball. That's the time it will take for a major project like writing a paper/report or cleaning out a cluttered closet. How many bowling balls can you get in your box? Two? Three?
  
  
• Now imagine a tennis ball. That's the time it will take for a minor project like reading a chapter, answering the e-mails, preparing dinner, etc. How many tennis balls can you get in your box if a bowling ball or two is/are already in the box? Ten?
  
  
• Now imagine a marble. That's the time it takes to sew on a button, write a thank you note, make a doctor's appointment, file a few papers, check your e-mail box or make a grocery list. How many of these can you fit into a box with some bowling balls and tennis balls? Twenty?
  
  
• Plan your day in terms of the "bowling balls" you hope to accomplish (i.e., focus on the important major projects) and fill smaller amounts of time (just before lunch or going home when you don't want to start another major project) with tennis balls and marbles.
  
  
• Okay, now you understand the concept, but what if you're frustrated at the end of the day because you've got tasks left but have no remaining bowling balls, tennis balls or marbles of time? Click here for some steps you can take IF YOU ARE READY AND WILLING TO CHANGE your time usage patterns.