How to balance it all.
Posted By: Time management on 2006-09-20
In Reply to:
I've been doing MT for 7 looooong years now and have recently gone back to school (pre-med). I've had to find a new job, a child with ADD/depression who takes massive amounts of one on one time to get school work done, etc., and another little one. I'm struggling getting work done and my homework. I took a fairly light load (13 credits) but am just feeling overwhelmed. Any time saving tips would be greatly appreciated!
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Yes, if I could have the right balance of
administrative support and the power to hire/fire employees who are worth keeping/letting go.
Yes, I would.
It's tough to balance it all.
I've got a very full life, too. DH puts in a lot of hours at his job, but he doesn't see that I put in just as many. When he takes a break at work, he gets to sit down somewhere and actually eat or drink a Starbucks coffee. I have to make my own coffee, drop a kid off, pick a kid up or swap out a load of laundry during my "breaks" just to keep up. He does put in long hours at his job, and he's too tired to help out with household chores. He doesn't have time to get his errands done during the day either because he's got a demanding job. The kids do help out around here, too, but they have really full schedules with school, sports, jobs and friends. We've got pets contributing to the mess. Even my relatives call during the day for help with stuff. Cooking, grocery shopping, errands, bills and finances all fall on me to do. It's a load of bunk. I told DH I wasn't going to do MT full-time any more because of everything else I do around here. Why should I make as much money (or more) than he does, work just as many hours, and do EVERYTHING else that is expected of me? I even got hired part-time at an MT job, but they're trying to creep the hours up on me again. Plus, I have a second part-time job that's pretty demanding and just not worth what they pay me. I've got people demanding of me from sunrise to sunset, and I'm sick of it all! I'd like to sit on my backside and watch a TV program or movie for a change. I'd like to be have time to pursue my hobbies.
You (we) gotta get mean! JUST SAY NO to all the people badgering you all the time. Don't answer the phone or the door. Use caller ID and put a "do not disturb" note on the door. Lock or close your office door if you have one. Stay focused. Set work goals for yourself. I type at least 30 minutes of dictation before taking a break to go swap out laundry and stretch, then I get back to it. Assess your life and see what you can cut back on or streamline. Make a list of daily chores that take less than 5 minutes to do, and do those throughout the day. Delegate, ask for help.
How do you balance time
This especially causes problems for me working at home. I help take care of grandchildren and help my children also, hubby, pets, housework, cooking, errands, etc. I can't seem to balance that with my work. It cuts my production with the constant interruptions.
There is a balance though, people who are too social
People who tend to spend a lot of time alone seem to be a little sad. Just mix it up a little and find your balance. For me, if i'm around people too much, I feel absolutely drained, but if i'm totally isolated, I feel trapped and sad. So I socialize a couple times a week by taking classes, seeing family members, talking to neighbors, meeting up with a friend, and thats enough. Just not everyday, maybe not even every two days!
Balance Ball chair. Has anyone tried?
I found this in a catalogue: http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product/95-1004
I have a balance ball, and now and then I sit on it at my desk. It really does feel great, but the problem is keeping it steady. It's large and I have a hard time keeping myself at a comfy distance from the keyboard. I was thinking of getting this chair as a "supplemental" chair. I don't think it would work for 8 hours a day, but I think it would help alleviate some pressure and strain for periods during my work sessions.
And, this may be TMI - but this past summer I had a breast reduction. (Best thing I've ever done for myself!) The change in my body has definitely affected my posture and has alleviated pain in my back and shoulders. But I really need to strengthen my back and obliques more. I thought this chair might help with that.
Has anyone used this type of chair, or even used a balance ball at their desks? What do you think?
balance...sm (long message)
just wanted to encourage you. i suffer from burnout too (30+ years in this industry would burn out anyone!) =) ...but I have found ways to overcome it.
i would suggest that you NOT change companies. often when we're really stressed, making major changes is the LAST thing we should do.
for me, i find if i lower my MT expectations and quit being as perfectionistic as i want to be, i decrease the stress load. if you have the ESL from h*ll leave the allowed amounts of blanks or let QA deal with them and move on! you have nothing to prove to these difficult dictators...i try not to take it personally that they don't give a rip that they make our job nearly impossible....
i also need to keep my work life and home/personal/creative/school/community/family roles in balance. i work 2 jobs (1 MT, 1 not, go to school--online, and am a single mom raising 2 kids--older now) IT CAN BE DONE! And burnout can be BEAT!
if you need some moral support let me know--i'll give you my email addy.
ALSO, as far as the CTS, for YEARS I've had to wear typing gloves...best ones I've found are "MouseMitts" http://www.mousemitt.com/wrist.html
i have no affiliation with them...just passing on a good product that's saved me from having to have surgery...
hang in there...there is a creative solution to your burnout...
now, back to MT work for me!!!
=)
The OP was asking how other MTs balance homelife and work....
she didn't ask to be judged on whether or not she had experience working outside the home, et cetera...if you don't have anything productive to say to her than why bothering posting a response...obviously it sounds like she has a lot going on in her life and just needs some positive encouragement not judgement by others who feel they are more "grounded"....
Any advice on finding balance... sm
with working as an MT, the ebb and flow of the business of IC working from a pool, being a mother of a 10 year-old and a wife. How do you find the time for a well balanced family and work life? Finding time to be with your growing children, teaching them values, finding time for your relationship with spouse so that all of your family are happy, working as and MT at home. I find I work way too long although I am still in the learning phase of my company just starting full time. I find my daughter is growing up and I barely have time for her or for my husband. I want to provide a happy home and I want my daughter to learn values. She is having trouble at school and at home with her attitude.
Due to finanancial difficulties we had to move in with my mother-in-law and father-in-law and it really is not the best situation but could not be helped. I am slow as an MT. I just have a hard time finding a good balance for my family and working. I wondered how some of you out there do it and are happy with your work life and family life raising children and finding time for a well-balanced relationship with your spouse. My huband is trying to find a job now working as a cook in a hospital. He just has to wait for the hiring manager to contact him.
I appreciate any advice.
Having a couple zero-balance accounts open is okay . . .
but the available credit DOES count just the same as having that same amount charged. Lenders want to see open, good-rated accounts . . . just not so many that you have the potential for LA arge debt-to-income ratio. Keeping 2-3 is good. More than that isn't. Hth.
They are trying desperately to balance their runaway budget
Have you heard about the new naturalization process aimed at 11 million illegals in the country... along with some hoops to jump through (Learning English - ???) etc., they must pay 2000 dollars.
Do the math 11 million x 2000
its not a lot but its something
I applaude all who are able to balance all their jobs; I doubt I could even do 2I!! nm
xx
How do you find a balance in this type of work...
with family, friends, hobbies, etc and still have time to type! Is it possible, if so, how?
Do not close credit card accts with 0 balance
I get offered and have used no interest credit cards for years. They are usually no interest for 1-1/2 years. When it is time for them to start charging interest, I roll them over into another no interest card. I have never closed an acct, just cut up the cards and forget about them. My FICO score is excellent, as is my credit. I get offers for no interest cards at least once a week so it obviously hasn't hurt me.
I read a book once that burnout was caused by being out of balance. sm
Working too much and not giving time to other parts of your life is the culprit in the job arena. Variety is the spice of life, so focusing on balancing your job, your need for a good cash flow, with times to enjoy yourself is essential.
It takes work, and fortunately I have an S/O that demands that I take time for us to have fun and for "me" to have fun as an individual.
Well, that is incorrect information. You should leave your 0 balance accounts open sm
that shows that you are responsible and not over your head in debt. When you have a credit line of 15,000 and your balance is 0, that is a great asset. I am a mortgage loan officer myself, and the mortgage brokers want to see open accounts with 0 balances. That also helps you debt to income ratio, which in turn increases your credit score!
Most banks have auto numbers to call to find out balance. SM
You could call bank tomorrow morning. Maybe put some charges on credit card, but anyway call them.
As stated, it is taken out immediately. When I purchase stuff and use it, but forget to put it in checkbook, recording will tell me as soon as I arrive home what was spent.
They are checking accounts with higher interest, minimum balance required, I believe.
dd
Started yesterday, August 1st...balance calender year in Tennessee..nm
=
The two sentence normal reports will balance out the 3 page reports.
I am Wendy too
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