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How do you balance time

Posted By: with family and work? on 2007-11-28
In Reply to:

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.


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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.

How to balance it all.
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!
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.
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
Not anymore. For some time now, I've been working 32 hours and am considered full time to receive
p
Working full time at home with small children is hard but part time works great
is almost impossible. You will either have to work when your spouse is home or for only a few hours during the day and then more when they are asleep. I work part time at home and my kids (2&5 now) have done very, very well. They are great kids, very well behaved, don't get into much. I stop working to check on them/give them some attention every hour or so while I work (5 hours each afternoon or so) and they get all my attention in the morning and at night. It has worked out beautifully for us.
Yeah, our choc. lab does that from time to time - makes it interesting!- nm
x
Cannot legally require you to commit time to them as an employee and then not pay you for that time.
x
full-time in office/ part-time at home
I currently work full-time in a physician's office and have started part-time online. My hope is to eventually go full-time online; however that will be done the road for a single mom with a son in college. My suggestion would be try to type part-time for a MTSO and see how that goes i.e work and money with a decision down the road for ultimately being home all the time. A guaranteed paycheck is always a necessity for me. Hope this helps.
I work part-time hours with full-time pay...
I made over 26,000 this year...
I work a full time and a part time, but not sure about 2 full-time...
My hubbie is disabled and I am the only one in my family working also, so I fully understand. You will not have a day off at all working 2 full-time as that is going to be the only way you will get in all your hours. I work one job in the mornings from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the other from 5 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and do have off one day a week, but if I had to get in the extra 15 hours to make the other job full-time I am not sure how I would do that other than lose my only day off. Also, make sure you have your account specifics in front of you at all times because you will get yourself confused as to who is what and having notes will help in that area. Good luck to you, as it is possible, but forget about your house being clean, having any social life, etc. Feel free to email me personally if you just need someone to talk to, as I have been where you are and still am.
Maybe they will. Give it time. It takes time to set up links.
OSI, Precyse, etc tell us more.
full time, part time, statutory
newly defined full time...

newly defined part time....(which is an added classification)

I believe statutory just was not mentioned because there is nothing new about the definition of statutory.
full time/part time/statutory
The definition of full time is new.

There is a new classification called part time.

I believe statutory was not mentioned merely because that has not changed and they do not receive PTO/benefits.
I work 1 full-time, 2 part-time....nm
NM
its a waste of time yet you take the time to respond?

**yawn time for your bed time old thinker*
Hippie??  What pray tell is a hippie?  Im not judgmental..I dont care what another is partying about or with or whom they are with..Im not a cop or the warmonger in the White House..far be it from me to judge another..You, however, by your post seem to have grown old before your time..I recommend you just graze on your back yard grass and leave us **alive ones** alone..**yawn**, time for you to go to bed now, hun?  Bye..bye..old person..
I do believe she is good enough, and has more than proved that time and time again. NM
z
part-time or full-time
I'm curious. Are you FT or PT? Thanks.
4 week's time or 4 weeks' time
Does anyone know this one. I will see the patient back in 4 week's time, 4 weeks' time or 4 weeks time. Can't seem to find this in any of my reference books. Thanks in advance.
1 full time and 1 part time for now
I am still pretty new, so that is all I am taking on. I may take on more after I get more experience, if possible.
I never denied that I need a break from time to time, but
I was just stating how I took her post and the fact that I am worried about how my son will react since he is already getting quite upset. But, yes, any parent SHOULD be able to admit that they need a break from time to time...we're only human too! :)
even ISPs have to do maintenance from time to time--sm
and most do this during the wee hours of the morning when MOST people are sleeping and not using the internet. They need to upgrade their services and virus protection just like the home users. This is probably what occurred.
I recently requested time off for the first time...
(3 days off) and gave 2 weeks notice but was asked by my boss to give more notice next time.  I thought 2 weeks was decent, but next time I will give at least 30 days.
Do we enter each time there is a new prize, or just the one time?

thanks.


 


Not 1st time, wont be happy the 2nd time and
x
Utter waste of time, unless you have a lot of time--then have at it! nm
x
I've had 3 at one time, but only one open at a time. nm
xx
Virtually never. Time spent doing that is time SM
that could be spent typing. Instead of stopping to listen, then typing to catch up, I scan AHEAD of the dictation as I type, looking for upcoming questionable areas.
Yeah, but full-time lines does not necessarily mean full-time hours, so I would do it if your produc
-
1st time 22 (6 yrs). 2nd time 33 and 13 years.
Still going strong! 
SO the little one takes up your time yet you have time?
LOL
I have side this time and time again
It's crazy how these nationals or even smaller MTSOs think that we should be working set hours as an IC or even set lines as an IC.  I totally stay away from those companies.  Also, stay away from the ones that keep you on messenger (like Advanced in Oregon) or require you be logged in their platform, etc. or require a time clock as an IC.  This is against the law.  They cannot clock you and expect you to work certain hours under an IC status.  They are getting away with it though, time and time again.  It's a shame what we MTs put up with in this profession for pennies!!!
you have no time to switch from board to board? how can you have time to look for the drug?
x
Does anyone know if you are a part time employee for 1 company and part time IC for another can you
still claim deductions for IC on your income tax even though you are one of each.
Depends on how part time the part time jobs are.
You can do it. You just have to work out a schedule you can live with.