Sometimes, It’s About Being Smarter , Not Just Stronger 💪🏻.
This week, life threw me a curveball – a big one. Suddenly, I found myself navigating the next 6 to 8 weeks as a solo parent. For anyone who’s been there, you know that’s a full-time job in itself. Now, layer on top of that my actual full-time job, two wonderfully challenging children, and the fact that I’m three weeks into a fantastic (but demanding) 10-week course requiring an extra 5-7 hours of study each week. Oh, and let’s not forget the usual suspects: the mountain of laundry, the meal planning, the general upkeep of a home inhabited by three humans and one energetic 🐶.
My immediate thought wasn’t one of being overwhelmed, but rather a clear realization of the need for increased efficiency. How could I strategically manage my time and energy to not only meet all my obligations but also carve out precious moments for rest, rejuvenation, and quality time with my kids? The days suddenly felt shorter, and the need to maximize every minute became paramount. 🍁And it’s not just a feeling – with autumn well underway here in Melbourne and daylight saving ending this weekend, we’re literally losing an hour of daylight, making those precious hours feel even more fleeting. Adding another layer to this is the fact that we’re now facing two weeks of school holidays – a joyful time, but one that undoubtedly shifts the usual routines and requires thoughtful planning to ensure everyone feels happy and connected.
In those first few days, I found myself staring at my course materials, a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach. This course is something I was genuinely thrilled to be accepted into, a real opportunity for growth. However, the sheer volume of responsibilities made me acutely aware of the need to find smarter ways to integrate everything without sacrificing the crucial time needed for my children and my own well-being. The thought of having to drop out lingered, not out of being overwhelmed, but out of the concern of not being able to dedicate enough quality time to all areas of my life.
Instead of just trying to muscle through, to work harder and inevitably burn myself out, I considered a different approach: working smarter. I began to weigh my options differently. Was an hour of dedicated study the only way forward? Or could I carve out smaller chunks of time? Could I combine tasks to free up valuable minutes? The internal debate raged: should I prioritize a focused study session or a much-needed 30-minute walk to clear my head and get some exercise, knowing that both would ultimately contribute to my overall capacity and ability to be present?
Thankfully, the universe seemed to offer a helping hand (or perhaps it was just my proactive online shopping!🙇🏼♀️). After those initial few days of feeling the time crunch, I eagerly awaited the arrival of an Amazon parcel – my new walking pad. Ten minutes later, it was set up in front of my desk, ready to revolutionize my approach.
With this, the idea of “either/or” started to dissolve. Why couldn’t I incorporate movement into my study/work time, making full use of my sit/stand desk? That’s where my other secret weapon came in: Speechify. This brilliant tool allows me to listen to documents and articles, turning my reading list into an audiobook. Now, I can walk on my pad, watch my screen, and absorb complex information while listening to Gwyneth Paltrow explaining Apex codes, loops, and strings.🥴
It’s only been a few days since implementing this new strategy, but I already feel a sense of positive momentum. I’m no longer chained to my desk for every study session. I can move my body, clear my head, and still make progress on my course. I can even address quick Slack messages while getting my steps in. Speaking of streamlining, we’ve been having our groceries delivered by Coles for a while now – just another one of those time and energy hacks that makes a real difference. 🛒⛔️ (no karts for me!)
If I can continue to work smarter, not just harder, I genuinely believe we’ll all navigate these next few weeks in a way that allows for productivity, well-being, and quality time together.
What else can I ask for?
*Credit to Gemini for helping me organize my thoughts and get this post written and formatted for the blog – yet another effort to save time and energy, allowing me to focus on what truly matters.
Sync Savvy 