5 answers
Harold
Student
Paterson, New Jersey
2
Questions
Asked
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How do I maintain a balanced schedule through homework, family, and sports?
I also want to go to the military specifically the army or marines I haven't made my mind up yet but that's my focus if football doesn't go anywhere.
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5 answers
Kenneth Cochran
Law Enforcement Officer
14
Answers
Bremerton, Washington
Updated
Kenneth’s Answer
People of all ages struggles with work-life balance. As a student the balance is even harder to maintain due to all the demands on students these days, but that does not mean it is impossible. Sit down with a pencil and paper and make columns for each area of your life that is important to you. Then make rows for the days of the week. This is the basis for your schedule. Now set that aside and grab another sheet of paper.
On the second sheet of paper list all the things you have to do to be successful in those areas. For sports you have to make practices, games, and maybe you want to add personal practice like weight lifting or going for a run. For family list those important moments that your family may have. Perhaps you always eat dinner together. Maybe you go to certain place on the weekends. For homework you need to assume that you’ll have at least three subjects worth of homework a night. (I always found ways to do homework at school, like lunch or the bus). Grades are important for being successful and college of that is a route you want to go. Now assign each of those items a number based on how important they are to YOU. Do that for each category.
On your first sheet start listing out the time each activity is and on what day. When there is a conflict between two activities and you HAVE to chose one or the other because they cannot be rescheduled; you will refer to your second sheet of paper and see which one had the higher priority ranking. That’s the one that gets scheduled.
This will also show you where you have open moments in your schedule where you can get in that weightlifting or homework assignment.
Work-life balance is all about organization and understanding priorities. You have to give more weight (more of your time/consideration) to what you find more important for you. There will be sacrifices, that’s part of life, but you can also make up for those sacrifices later. Maybe you miss a practice because you live in a one parent household and that parent is sick and needs help. You can create a workout plan at home and submit it to you coach so you can still be working towards your goals and contribute to the team. Be flexible, be organized, understand your priorities, and always make sure your making the best choice for you based on where you want to be later in life.
PROTIP: try to keep an empty hour on your calendar just for you. Play a video game or watch a show. Whatever you need to destress and unwind from the day.
On the second sheet of paper list all the things you have to do to be successful in those areas. For sports you have to make practices, games, and maybe you want to add personal practice like weight lifting or going for a run. For family list those important moments that your family may have. Perhaps you always eat dinner together. Maybe you go to certain place on the weekends. For homework you need to assume that you’ll have at least three subjects worth of homework a night. (I always found ways to do homework at school, like lunch or the bus). Grades are important for being successful and college of that is a route you want to go. Now assign each of those items a number based on how important they are to YOU. Do that for each category.
On your first sheet start listing out the time each activity is and on what day. When there is a conflict between two activities and you HAVE to chose one or the other because they cannot be rescheduled; you will refer to your second sheet of paper and see which one had the higher priority ranking. That’s the one that gets scheduled.
This will also show you where you have open moments in your schedule where you can get in that weightlifting or homework assignment.
Work-life balance is all about organization and understanding priorities. You have to give more weight (more of your time/consideration) to what you find more important for you. There will be sacrifices, that’s part of life, but you can also make up for those sacrifices later. Maybe you miss a practice because you live in a one parent household and that parent is sick and needs help. You can create a workout plan at home and submit it to you coach so you can still be working towards your goals and contribute to the team. Be flexible, be organized, understand your priorities, and always make sure your making the best choice for you based on where you want to be later in life.
PROTIP: try to keep an empty hour on your calendar just for you. Play a video game or watch a show. Whatever you need to destress and unwind from the day.
Kenneth, thank you!
Harold
Phil McKenzie
Operations Manager
5
Answers
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Updated
Phil’s Answer
That is a struggle in the military, depending on the service and job you sign up for. My wife and I were both Army Officers, and although we did not see each other every day, it made it that much better when we did. I know some struggle and end up in divorce, but it really shows how strong your relationship is. When I did get out of the military, I learned from those experiences and made it a point to build a stronger relationship with my family. I made it a point to carve out time with my family as often as possible. I even adjusted my work schedule so that I could be with my family more time during the day.
They do say that distance makes the heart grow fonder, and I believe that is true. My wife and I have been married for 36 years, so I believe we have both been successful.
They do say that distance makes the heart grow fonder, and I believe that is true. My wife and I have been married for 36 years, so I believe we have both been successful.
Baljit Gill
Lawyer paralegal
127
Answers
Milpitas, California
Updated
Baljit’s Answer
Hi Harold,
To start off you should maintain an online calendar as well as maybe a hard copy calendar. This will help you out tremendously in organizing your time. Google calendar/ yahoo calendar may do the trick. There are also apps that you can download too. You should make a list on what's important and needs priority as the first thing you work on each day. As far a applying yourself to sports that could be in the form of joining some kind of team where you live as well as coordination at your school into some of your favorite sports. Taking the time to organize each item on your to-do list would work. Also ask for help from family and friends. Maybe less to do at home and social life would help you achieve your dreams.
To start off you should maintain an online calendar as well as maybe a hard copy calendar. This will help you out tremendously in organizing your time. Google calendar/ yahoo calendar may do the trick. There are also apps that you can download too. You should make a list on what's important and needs priority as the first thing you work on each day. As far a applying yourself to sports that could be in the form of joining some kind of team where you live as well as coordination at your school into some of your favorite sports. Taking the time to organize each item on your to-do list would work. Also ask for help from family and friends. Maybe less to do at home and social life would help you achieve your dreams.
Mustabsheera Vengus
GMBPsS 🎓 | Aspiring Psychologist | Behavior Therapist | Counselor | Mentor
38
Answers
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Updated
Mustabsheera’s Answer
Hi, Harold!
Hope you are doing well.
Let me tell you how I balanced my life.
The first step is to list down the parameters of life.
1.Mind
2.Body
3.God
4.Relationship
4.Extra co-curricular activities
5.Career and it can be any for you.
Then I write the branches for each.
Like, if I talk about body parameter.
1. 3 times proper food
2. Water
3. Exercise or Yoga etc
After this make a schedule for you. Also, arrange a half-hour life admin day session every Sunday and analyze whether are you giving equal time to every parameter of life or not.
Remember one thing, you can never achieve this in one month. It requires CONSISTENCY.
Also, I can share my planner with you if you need more assistance.
Hope you are doing well.
Let me tell you how I balanced my life.
The first step is to list down the parameters of life.
1.Mind
2.Body
3.God
4.Relationship
4.Extra co-curricular activities
5.Career and it can be any for you.
Then I write the branches for each.
Like, if I talk about body parameter.
1. 3 times proper food
2. Water
3. Exercise or Yoga etc
After this make a schedule for you. Also, arrange a half-hour life admin day session every Sunday and analyze whether are you giving equal time to every parameter of life or not.
Remember one thing, you can never achieve this in one month. It requires CONSISTENCY.
Also, I can share my planner with you if you need more assistance.
James Hanzel
Corrections and Security
236
Answers
Cape Coral, Florida
Updated
James’s Answer
Balance is a constant struggle, especially in a professional environment. This is especially true in the military. I am currently in the Marine Corps. I have been overseas for more than three years now, doing various things. This has been incredibly rewarding. I like what I do. But I always have to put my job first. It comes before everything, including family. This has led me to miss out on some incredibly important family things. I have no regrets, but it is draining. If you struggle with a balance now, I would think twice before entering the military. I would never push anyone towards that career choice, but I respect everyone that makes that choice.
Thank you for the advice.
Harold