Being a wife, a mother, chasing a career along with studies is an acrobatic act. The real management is in changing multiple hats with justice to each role you play. Before I begin, here is an interesting anecdote.
One day, an old professor of the School of Public Management in France, was invited to lecture on the topic of “Efficient Time Management" The Professor started with an experiment. He pulled out a big glass jar and gently placed it in front of the students and filled it with a bag of stones. Then he took some pebbles, carefully poured in slightly rattled the jar, allowing the pebbles to slip through the larger stones. Next, the professor poured bagful sand into the jar. The sand filled up the spaces between the stones and the pebbles. And last, the professor poured a pitcher of water in the jar until it was absolutely full. Then the professor asked, “What great truth can we surmise from this experiment?” With his thoughts on the lecture topic, one manager quickly replied, “We learn that as full as our schedules may appear, if we only increase our effort, it is always possible to add more meetings and tasks.”
“No”, replied the professor. The great truth that we can conclude from this experiment is:
If we don’t put all the larger stones in the jar first, we will never be able to fit all of them later.
Well, the moral of the story is, management is all about prioritizing important objectives in their order. Of course, the most precious treasure, the stones of my life is undoubtedly my family and the role of a mother. Then there is my work, the pebbles of financial security and confidence, aptly fit in the gaps of stones. The dream of pursuing the MBA or studies falls into a self actualization need. Like sand, studies can augment both my family and work. This piece of write up is my hobby which will float like water amidst all other responsibilities.
The jarful concept is not an easy path to pursue, but if determined nothing is impossible. When you steal the time from your children's life, see where you can adjust and compensate. I have tried everything from outsourcing to replacement to delegation for the last 3 years of my MBA tenure.
It is not important to cook for your children every day, but it is important serve the food with love. Keep mommy specials for a week end treat. Remember to give them a good night and good morning hug. Never forget the most important philosophy of family life; when your children are sick, an exam and MBA can wait. One day you will be measured by the love you gave not by your MBA.
Time slicing is a game by itself. A TV can be replaced by a radio in the kitchen. You must take your children to the garden in the weekends but be wise to carry a laptop or a book for yourself and have the pleasure of multitasking. It is not important to be there for all social events and gala parties but it is important to visit a friend and family member who are in need.
In work ethics, be a die hard professional. Never do the crime of using the working hours for assignments. But be liberal to cut down the lunch hour to 10 minutes and dedicate the rest to books. An extra one hour in the office for studies can do miracles.
The last advice, never seclude yourself. There will be crashing points even you weigh and balance. Reach out for help. I have used the services my mother, mother-in-law, friends, husband and colleagues all part of my MBA journey and kept them always approachable.
It is time to get back to my daily dose of stones, pebbles, sand and water. I wish good luck to all those who dare to chase the jarful of life.
