Navigating a high-stress career while maintaining a fulfilling personal life is a challenge many professionals face. This is particularly true for dual-career couples.
The increasing demands of work, coupled with the blurring boundaries between work and non-work life, often lead to time strains and chronic stress. Research has highlighted that professionals, particularly those in high-status jobs, are increasingly grappling with the pressure to balance their careers with their personal lives.
This post explores strategies derived from research to help you manage your time effectively and reduce stress in your high-demand career.
Summary of Findings
Research conducted by Phyllis Moen and colleagues at the University of Minnesota highlights the concept of "time work," which refers to the strategies professionals employ to manage the escalating demands of their jobs. The study identifies four key strategies:
Prioritizing Time: Professionals consciously choose which tasks or aspects of their life to prioritize, often at the expense of others.
Scaling Back Obligations: This involves reducing the number of tasks or responsibilities, either at work or in personal life, to focus on what is most important.
Blocking Out Time: Setting aside specific periods for focused work or personal activities, free from interruptions.
Time Shifting: Adjusting when tasks are completed, often moving work to more convenient or less stressful times.
These strategies, while effective in managing time, also highlight the challenge of maintaining a work-life balance, as they often lean towards being more work-friendly than family-friendly.
Practical Steps to Manage Your Time
Identify Your Priorities
The first step in managing time effectively is to identify what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing your career, your family, your health, or a combination of these? Once you've identified your priorities, align your time management strategies accordingly.
Example
A 43-year-old manager in the study highlighted the importance of health, stating that despite the demands of work and family, maintaining good health was a top priority. This manager allocated time for exercise and relaxation, recognizing that without good health, they wouldn't be able to perform well in other areas of life.
Set Boundaries with Blocking Out Time
Blocking out time is a powerful strategy to ensure that both work and personal life get the attention they deserve. This involves setting aside specific blocks of time for focused work, meetings, and even personal activities such as exercise or family time.
Example
One professional in the study blocked out time during the workday to focus on critical tasks, marking these periods as "busy" to avoid interruptions. Similarly, you can set aside specific times in the evening or weekends for family or personal activities, ensuring these moments are protected from work intrusions.
Scale Back Where Necessary
Scaling back involves making tough decisions about what can be reduced or eliminated from your schedule. This might mean delegating tasks at work, hiring help for household chores, or cutting down on non-essential activities.
Example
A dual-career couple managed their demanding jobs by scaling back on home responsibilities, opting for meal delivery services to save time on cooking. Another professional reduced the time spent on household chores, allowing them to focus on their career and family.
Embrace Time Shifting
Time shifting allows you to move work or personal tasks to more convenient times. This can be particularly useful in managing stress and avoiding burnout, as it gives you control over when you tackle your most demanding tasks.
Example
A manager in the study would often shift work tasks to the early morning or late evening, allowing them to spend more time with their family during the day. This approach not only reduced stress but also ensured that work did not intrude on personal time.
Develop a Support System
No one can do it all alone. Developing a support system at work and at home can be crucial in managing a high-stress career. This might involve seeking flexible working arrangements, sharing responsibilities with a partner, or enlisting help from family members or professional services.
Example
A father in the study managed his demanding job with the support of his wife, who worked part-time, and his mother, who provided childcare. This support system allowed him to focus on his career while ensuring that his family obligations were met.
Although this example falls squarely into a traditional gender norm, it is becoming more common for men to shift to part-time work to be the lead caregiver at home.
Related: What is a Modern Husband?
Regularly Reassess and Adjust
Time management is not a one-time task; it requires regular reassessment and adjustment. As your career and personal life evolve, your strategies for managing time should also adapt.
Example
One professional noted the need to continuously evaluate their workload and make adjustments to avoid burnout. This might mean taking a step back to assess whether your current strategies are still effective or if new approaches are needed.
Wrapping it Up
Managing time in a high-stress career requires a combination of prioritization, boundary setting, scaling back, and flexibility. By adopting the strategies discussed, you can better navigate the demands of your career while maintaining a fulfilling personal life. Remember, the goal is not just to manage your time but to create a balance that allows you to thrive both professionally and personally.
Follow Modern Husbands
Start, Strengthen, or Rebuild Your Marriage. Our Marriage Toolkit empowers couples with evidence based ideas from 40+ of the nation’s leading experts in managing money and the home as a team.
Winning ideas from experts to manage money and the home as a team. 2023 Plutus Award Finalist: Best Couples or Family Content
Winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team delivered to your inbox every two weeks. You'll even receive a few free gifts!