Time Management: Work And Family

Time Management: Work and Family

Time Management. We all struggle with keeping our lives in balance, staying on task, avoiding distractions, etc. My difficulties have changed over the years, forcing me to learn new techniques and refine my processes. I'm definitely getting better at it, but there are always struggles. One area that I feel has clicked for me is balancing my work and personal life.

In the military, I went where I was told and had little control over my personal time. That's understandable. When I left the military, I habitually continued to prioritize work over my personal life. It took several years for the light to go on and for me to realize that I didn't have to sacrifice family any more!

As a property manager in Cody, Wyoming, I always have work to do. There's no end to it! People want to see houses after work hours, report maintenance problems or lock themselves out on weekends, etc. There's always paperwork to catch up on, processes to refine, etc. I decided I had to find a way to organize my time and create boundaries to ensure my personal time was treated like a priority and protected.

It took some time but I am proud to say I've reached the balance. I get the kids up in the morning and get them ready for school before I head in to work. I take time off to have lunch with my wife (most days). Our office closes at 5PM and I head home for dinner, homework, and time with the family. On the weekends, I get up early and knock out some emails (and ActiveRain) before the rest of the family wakes up. There are occasions where I may work for a couple hours on a weekend but they are rare.

My clients and customers are important to me, as is my business. It's providing for my family and enabling us to build wealth for the future. However, none of these things are more important than my family. I will remain focused and manage my time to ensure the main thing remains the main thing!

Submitted for October Contest: Time Management Is Not A Time Management Issue