Balance - Does it exist?

My Dad and Niece Mia enjoying a little "Life" Time.

The concept of work/life balance really doesn't exist.  Let me show you a little math....

Before Work
4:00 AM start to the day - Workout, breakfast, get ready for work, wake up Miles and get him ready for daycare.  Out the door by 7:00 AM.

3 Hours X 5 Days a week = 15 Hours of "Life"
Hidden Math - How many times did I check my work email during this morning routine or check my calendar/prep for a meeting??

Work
8:00 AM is the "start" time for work, depending on the day we may start at 7:30.  There is no real lunch break as I work through eating whatever boring meal I brought.  I don't take breaks, even though I should.  On a good day I end at 4:30 PM.  However, the reality is typically 5:00 PM

9 Hours X 5 Days = 45 Hours of "Work"
Hidden Math = Typically there is at least one evening meeting or event, so let's just tack on 5 hours at least here.

After Work
5:30 PM Daycare Pickup - If things don't run over.  The evening consists of dinner, play time , bath time, and then bed time...by 7:30 on a good night.  This is sacred time to me.  I try not to email, text, or work during this time.

2 Hours X 5 Days = 10 Hours of "Life"

From 7:30 - Until I go to bed I typically turn on my computer and work, email, invoicing, texting co-workers, working on social media outlets.  On a good night I am in bed by 10:30 PM.

3 Hours X 5 Days = 15 Hours of "Work"

SLEEP - Let's say I actually get 6 hours of sleep....

6 Hours X 5 Days = 30 Hours of SLEEP - This is a required action

Weekends
I typically spend it catching up housework, but more than likely we have birthday parties, plans with friends, tractor pulls, or a race.  But here is what I can guarantee. I spend at least an hour to two hours checking email on Saturday and Sunday.  In addition,  I always spend at least four hours on Sunday working on my weekly materials and newsletter.

Saturday
12 Hours of "Life" Time
2 Hours of "Work" Time
10 Hours SLEEP - Most likely not:)

Sunday
10 Hours of "Life" Time
4 Hours of "Work" Time
10 Hours of SLEEP - Most likely Not:)

Total:
"Work" Time = 71 Hours
"Life" Time = 47 Hours

In speaking about this with my parents, we discussed how the cell phone has not only changed how we work, but also when we work.  Technology has almost created a natural instinct in us to become workaholics and so you seen an increasing number of "work/life" balance articles...just like this one:)

Here is what my husband and I have decided for our family.

1. It is OK to take vacations, to breath in the moment, and leave technology behind once in awhile.
2. We need to examine my math above and see how we can "balance" it for lack of a better term.  What can be adjusted, where can we say no both socially and at work, and redefining our family purpose.
3. Make family time a focus - even if it is just sitting down to read a book and enjoy the moment.
4. This summer we are working on our family unit.  Not over scheduling and planning in advance and saying no to social engagements or obligations in lieu of spending time with one another.

Do your Work/Life Math.....What does the result tell you?

A Lesson in Time Management

This week I made a goal to evaluate my time management.  The first step was deciding what exactly I should be doing with my free time.  I found this great image:

Now, typically  my weekends were spent doing laundry, paying bills, cleaning the house, and prepping for the coming week.  All the wrong decisions according to Forbes - go figure.  Now, the one that really caught my attention was number 7 "Avoid Chores".  How on earth was I going to make this happen - I don't have time during the work week and I can't exactly ignore my house and laundry.  In addition, growing up, Saturday was ALWAYS clean the house day!  So the next question I pondered...where can I find more time during the workweek?  My day begins at 5:00 AM and doesn't seem to end until a go to bed.  I found this little gem about gaining control of my "free time" and it really made me think, what am I doing during the workweek?

So between my list of what not to do on the weekends and regaining control of of my free time, here is the chore schedule I created for myself this week.

Monday: Living Room and Guest Bedroom

Tuesday: Laundry and Bathroom

Wednesday: Upstairs

Thursday:  Kitchen and Grocery List

Friday:  Laundry and Grocery Shopping

Now, when I started this I quickly figured out that I still needed time to run each day and play with my son, and perhaps have a conversation or two with my husband!  So, take a deep breath, I started my day at 4:00 AM.  I began with a small breakfast, ran on the treadmill and put dishes away.  By 5:00 AM I gave my son his morning bottle, laid him back down and began to get ready for work.  By the time I left the house for work and to take him to daycare, everything was picked up and dinner taken out.

After work, I would pick Miles up, cook dinner, have some play time and reading time with him and then followed his bedtime routine.  I would then spring into action and do my chores.  I found that with all that being said I was still done by 8:30 - 9:00 ish.  

This weekend has been great, no laundry, no house cleaning, just time with my family and focusing on my personal goals.  Lesson learned:  it works for me!  Not only did it work, but if I did not have the morning routine (which happened on Thursday) my entire day was off.

Now, this schedule may not work for you.  You may look at the 4:00 AM start and think "oh hell no".  The key is to think about what you want to achieve on the weekends, what needs to be removed to do so and find time during the workweek to get those done.  Good Luck!