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family

family and career

Adam Smith | February 8, 2019 | 1 Comment

How to Combine Family and Career–Is It Possible at All?

This is a guest post from Lauren Adley. Lauren is a writer and editor at UK BestEssays. Feel free to connect with her on Twitter and Google+.

According to an article by Scott J. Benson, having a work-family balance isn’t only possible, but it’s also essential for satisfactory performance in the workplace. Greenhaus, Collins and Shaw also conclude that a professional-private life balance is instrumental in leading a quality life in all fields.

Of course, combining family and career depends on a multitude of factors, with some people finding it easier than others. Let’s explore all common problems of creating a balance and how to maintain this elusive stability. 

Why is it so difficult to combine family and career?

Having enough love and positivity from your partner and children is equally important as accomplishing yourself professionally. It’s pointless to argue which facet of life is more important, as both are integral “building blocks” of any stable individual. 

But why do people fail to maintain a balance between these two different, but equally important sides of life? Here are two of the most common reasons:

Refusing to make difficult decisions. Changing integral parts of life is often difficult, but things become even more difficult if you hesitate. There are common cases of people refusing to quit jobs that require a lot of working overtime and traveling. Also, many families hesitate to move to an area close to both parents’ workplaces.

Not having enough free time. Free time isn’t about sleeping. You need free time to let your mind roam free and forget about all the chores. In today’s society, parents often like to see themselves as martyrs that take pride in working as much as they can. This leads to frequent burnouts. 

Now that we know how to recognize two very common obstacles which prevent you from creating a balance, it’s time to analyze all the possible ways to organize your time. 

Balancing two equally important, but nevertheless challenging parts of life is possible only if you’re responsible and dedicated to accomplishing the goal. 

Plan everything

We can’t stress this enough. The key to combining career and family is making a plan for each day of your life. You are working with two entirely different sets of responsibilities, and it’s impossible to remember everything. Write everything down and use reminder apps on your smartphone to alert you when it is time to be somewhere.

  • Keep a schedule in your kitchen or bedroom. Write down when the kids have to go to school, when they have their band practice/basketball practice, and other events they need to attend.
  • Don’t forget about long-term plans. As soon as you find out about a dental appointment for your son/daughter, write it down so you can plan around it. 
  • The key to good planning is starting with things you’re certain about and accommodating the rest to that obligation. Seriously, stop cramming everything the day before. Add things to the plan slowly, and you will feel a lot less stress. 

Professional obligations are often more challenging for the majority of parents. You can have your spouse pick up the kids or do housework, but it’s much harder to have someone do your job for you. Take action to be able to assemble a plan.

  • Talk to your boss. Let them know you have a family and that you are not as flexible as some other employees. 
  • Learn to say ‘no’. It may be tempting to take up more projects and more work to earn bonuses, but stop for a second. What good is money if you’re tired, devoid of spending time with your family, and constantly nervous?
  • Urge your boss or manager to notify you about bigger tasks and projects in advance. Don’t be afraid to ask! They will appreciate your efforts to plan and will think more highly of you. 

Free time and physical activity are not to be avoided

No matter how much you have to work or do around the house, never forsake your mental and physical health. When planning, make sure you have at least 2 hours free on a daily basis. It can be half an hour to read in the morning or maybe a couple of hours to watch a movie with the kids in the evening. 

If you’re having difficulties finding free time, ask your kids, friends or husband to help you with chores during the day. Free time ensures mental balance and is crucial when learning how to combine family and career. 

According to several research papers, people who exercise at least 20 minutes, 3 times a week have experienced less symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Exercising improves your blood flow and gives you a great chance to relax after a challenging day. Go jogging or join a gym with your spouse. Who says exercise can’t be fun and engaging?

Use help when you need it

  • Nobody ever managed to combine family and career by being too proud to ask for help. If you’re feeling pressure at work, politely ask a colleague to take care of some of your tasks. 
  • If you can’t manage to write a report, use online tools. Essay writing services can be great for completing reports with tight deadlines.
  • Don’t be afraid to admit that you’re feeling overwhelmed. Asking for a favor will save you lots of stress and allow you to assume all your work and family-related obligations.
  • You and your spouse’s parents, along with other relatives, can be your greatest ally. Grandparents love spending time with their kids, which can give you more opportunities for some alone time with your significant other.  

Raise your kids to be independent 

This is often an ignored piece of advice for creating some sort of balance in your life. The sooner you teach your kids how to take care of themselves, the less work you’re going to have.

But don’t order them around. Talk to them like they’re adults and let them know you need them to be a part of the team. Explain that mommy/daddy have a lot of work to do and that it would mean a lot to you if they would wash their dishes.

Accomplishing this will instill your children with confidence and responsibility, as well as prepare them for adulthood. There is no reason why young kids can’t wash a plate and a few forks. Everyone should have their own duties–it takes a team to combine family and career. 

Don’t forget to treat yourself and forget about perfection

No matter how organized you are, it’s still difficult to balance family and career. You should be aware that it’s no small task. Reward yourself from time to time and don’t be afraid to relax. 

With every bit of hard work and effort, you’ve earned a career you enjoy and a family you love. The treat can be anything you want. Buy your favorite flavor of ice cream or go on a romantic getaway with your significant other. 

It’s also important to surround yourself with those who value your effort and appreciate you. Don’t let negativity get to you and make you forget what a wonderful job you’re doing. 

Remember, not every day is going to be perfect. If it were, it wouldn’t be fun. Revel in the challenge and enjoy yourself! 

Ryan Bonaparte | March 8, 2015 | 1 Comment

6 Ways People Can Kill Your Creativity And How To Fight Back – Ryan Bonaparte

 

Growing up, I was fortunate to have an extremely supportive family. I had all of these crazy ideas about what I could be and I didn’t really experience any major pushback. When people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I had a list that I would recite: Scientist, Chemist, Astronaut, Dirt Bike Racer, Chef, and a Computer Programmer.

I figured those seemed reasonable, and not necessarily mutually independent. (Seeing how a chemist is a scientist and many astronauts are scientists, it wasn’t that far fetched to be all three.) In reality most people would only aim for one or two of those, but that didn’t deter me from dreaming, and I had important people that supported this vision. My parents, along with the rest of my family, worked hard to foster a sense of creativity in me that has remained throughout my life.

However, not everyone will support your creative endeavors. Not everyone is going to buy you a chemistry set when you say you want to be a chemist, or whatever your chosen field. Not everyone is going to be your cheerleader.

[Read more…] about 6 Ways People Can Kill Your Creativity And How To Fight Back – Ryan Bonaparte

Jed Jurchenko | December 25, 2014 | 4 Comments

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas – Jed Jurchenko

It’s Christmas day, and depending on the time in which you’re reading this, my family and I could be doing a number of different things. Right now, we might be huddled together on our living room couch, reading through the Christmas story. Or, my wife and I may be enjoying the children’s smiles and squeals of delight as our family opens presents around the Christmas tree. If you are reading this in the afternoon, chances are that we’re enjoying a traditional family meal prepared by my wife consisting of home-made soup, and more finger foods then can reasonably fit on the table.

Merry Christmas

Later on, it’s likely that we will be strolling together on Moonlight beach. Having grown up in California, a Christmas walk on the beach has long been one of my favorite moments of the year. In the evening we’ll enjoy hot cocoa while deciding on which favorite holiday special to watch.

So, you may be wondering what all of this has to do with communication, or you may have realized by now that moments like these are what communication is all about. You see, Christmas day isn’t a time for learning how to communicate, but it’s an opportunity for each of us to put our best foot forward by practicing the skills that we already know well. Some of the ways this happens is through:

  • smiles
  • laughter
  • gifts
  • family traditions, and
  • simply spending time enjoying each other’s presence

My hope is that today you will be able to relax, lay aside the worries, anxieties, and hustle-and-bustle of life to communicate well. There is no better day to say:

  • I love you
  • You’re an important part of my life, and
  • I’m grateful to know you

than on Christmas day, and I’m not the only one who feels this way. The value of communicating goodwill has been eloquently stated in a variety of ways.

Burton Hillis said,

“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is in the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”

 Helen Keller stated,

“The only blind person at Christmastime is he who has not Christmas in his heart.”

and Calvin Coolidge proclaimed,

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”

Although this is my shortest post on the Adam Smith Blog, it’s for good reason. Today there is no need to leave a response at the end of the post. Instead, I’d encourage you to seek out someone you care about deeply and leave your comment with them. Let this loved one know how much they mean to you or, better yet, seek out two or three people and let them know how grateful you are to have them in your life.

With that said, I want you to know that I am grateful for you and wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season this year!

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