0.15 Work-life balance seminar: time management guidelines

Home:

•Accept less (cleanliness, simple meals, etc.)

•Hire a housekeeper

•Shopping, chores – plan to do as infrequently as possible

•Expect partners to equally share responsibilities

•Delegate tasks to other family members/housekeeper

•Use available resources: childcare, backup childcare, summer camp

Work:

•5 minute rule: if you can do it in 5 minutes, do it now and be done with it.

•Make realistic to-do lists – rank by importance

•Don’t procrastinate. Limited time requires great focus of attention.

•Use available secretarial resources: don't make photocopies, as possible, delegate grant paperwork, travel arrangements, other scheduling

•as available, use TA's

•delegate answering student questions. So you don't know the answer either? Say, 'Good question. Find that out and tell me the answer.'

Make careful decisions regarding your time.

Do this by never committing immediately. Always ask for time to consider.

Prioritize as follows:

1. Will this get me tenure?

2. Will this help my students?

3. Will this advance me professionally outside of my institution?

If practical, say yes to:

Panel service (NSF, NIH, NASA, DOE, etc)

Do this at least once as early as possible in your tenure clock.

Not more than 12 reviews total per year. This includes both proposal reviews and manuscript reviews.

Develop a manuscript review template to speed manuscript reviewing.

Professional travel:

Many people find this more challenging after having children. If at all possible, do much of this before children. As children become older, travel will become easier.

Be selfish with:

1. Your physical health

2. Your mental health

3. Your family time

4. Your time with your partner