|
|
|
No, we don’t need to do everything - super-parents only happen in stories!
My children are making me a grandmother these days but I still well remember a conversation with my doctor when my sixth child was a baby. I was a pretty regular visitor to his clinic, for the whole gang arrived in exactly nine years (to the day!). Father of six himself, Dr Forbes gave me a penetrating look as we finished with Jimmy’s earache.
‘You’re looking a bit peaky,’ he commented.
‘Yes, I never seem to get enough sleep, and there’s always just too much to do’, I replied with a sigh. (Doesn’t every parent of young children know this feeling?)
And then he dished out some of the best advice I ever had as a young mother.
‘Hire a schoolgirl for the Hell Hour,’ he said.![]()
At the time we were a one-income family, and quite a small income at that. The funds were scarce. However, his advice was appealing so I counted my pennies and rearranged the priorities. A couple of enquiries discovered Leonie, a helpful 14-year-old from just along the road. For the next six months, while my last baby was small and I was in that particularly overwhelmed state, Leonie hopped off the school bus every afternoon at our place instead of hers. I gave her afternoon tea, and then she gave me an hour – for about the hourly rate she would have earnt as a McDonald’s check-out chick. Once things eased a bit she reduced to a couple of times a week for another year.
It was fantastic. She did anything I needed – tasks like fetching in the washing; bathing the bigger kids; peeling the potatoes; picking up the toys; and even the ironing. And so I had my first big lesson in leverage and delegation. An extra pair of hands was the life-saver I needed.
These days I don’t need a schoolgirl (although I certainly have other domestic help). Instead I love to share that story with the young parents in my seminar and conference audiences. They frequently tell me how exhausted they get – how it seems that they never catch up, feel as though they short-change their little ones on quality time, and as for time for themselves – what a joke!
A tired-looking young father’s reaction, when he heard my ‘Leonie’ story, was pretty typical. He perked up and said with great enthusiasm, ‘That’s a fabulous idea. I get home from work tired, and have to then pitch in to help with the two babies. I might be able to relax a bit quicker if we get a schoolgirl. I’ll suggest it tonight!’
If both parents work outside the home, all those feelings of pressure and stress are compounded. And even if the mothers don’t work outside the home, if the family has a business many women help their partners with administration, book work, and the multitude of related tasks. Often that in itself could be a full-time job - somehow squeezed in around the domestics and child-rearing.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stop for a moment and consider. How would it be if you got some home help? Could you use a schoolgirl (or maybe a boy to do outside chores?) A housekeeper? Or send out the ironing? Or clean the windows? Maybe your conversation is ‘we can’t afford it’. However, how would it feel to come home to a clean tidy house? What else could everyone do with the time that’s freed up, that would improve the family’s quality of life?
(There are always variations on this theme, of course. When the kids are a bit bigger I’m a great advocate of making them responsible of their share of the chores, so they learn to be responsible adults. Maybe some of their pocket money is linked to satisfactory performance of certain home tasks.)
And if you’re running a business from home, or contributing to a family business from home, perhaps you could get a nanny for one or two days a week to give yourself free and focused time.
Get lateral. What can you get help with? Once you’ve tried it, you’ll wonder why you took so long!
Robyn Pearce CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) is the Time Queen. She mastered her own time challenges and now helps people around the world overcome theirs. She can show you how to transform your time challenges into high productivity and the life balance you desire.
© All Rights Reserved to Robyn Pearce, GettingAGrip.com, PO Box 29 586, Fendalton, Christchurch 8540, New Zealand Ph.+ 64 3 351 2140
Add your details below and you will receive your FREE Gifts (Valued at $227)
Catalyst For Efficiency ImprovementsIt was great to introduce our two job-share receptionists to Robyn’s Getting a Grip on The Paper War text. It became a catalyst for us to improve our administration proce..." Marie Collins, Business Manager, The NZ Institute of Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery
Enhanced Efficiency Thank you for all the tips and words of advice you and your team have sent through.I have been constantly reading it and it does wonders to my line of work and also being a wife and mot..." Anaseini Liku, Communication & Media Coordinator, Ministry of Education, Cook Islands
Clear Directions Enhance Use Of TimeI have just finished reading 'Getting a Grip on Time' and 'Getting a Grip on the Paper War'. Particularly your book on 'Time' got me back on track, and during the day I catc..." Ingrid Geerlings, Owner, www.houseofmilk.com
Leadership Book Helps To find the Real Me‘I’ve just been reading ‘Getting a grip on Leadership’. It is very good and has had an impact on me. I realised I’d lost my way a bit re who I am ..." Heather Millar, Manager, Professional Practice, Central North Island Kindergarten Association, New Zealand
Additional $120,000 Billed After Time Management CourseI have personally known Robyn Pearce for around 16 years. From time to time my firm has contracted Robyn on a project basis to work with our professional staff as well as partners in the fi..." John Hackett, Partner, A J Park, New Zealand
The Librarian Who Got Her Life Back!The kick-start that I needed was delivered by a velvet glove, but make no mistake the iron hand within the glove ensured that the message was received and understood. If you are going to spend some..." Heather Jenks, Associate University Librarian (Research and Learning Services), University of Canterbury
Increasing Personal Confidence And Job ManagementHaving worked already very successfully with our NZ Team, Robyn's support of the Australian Team over a 12-month period was fundamental to helping us cope with increased day to day workload - espec..." Julia Braun, General Manager - Marketing, Beiersdorf Australia
A Great Empathy And Affinity With PeopleI have used Robyn as an Executive Coach for key Senior Staff for a number of years now and couldn't recommend her more highly. I've found as people step up in the organisation they often struggle t..." Merilyn Havler, Then General Manager, Beiersdorf New Zealand
An Increase of 30% In Gross Turnover Due To Better SystemsWhen we reviewed the progress made as a result of your concepts, a staggering number of them had become an integral part of our day to day business, collectively making a huge difference to our eff..." Wayne & Lisa Hughes, Occupational Therapy Helping Children, NSW, Australia
Motivational And Thought Provoking SessionI'd like to highlight the benefits felt both by the staff members attending your sessions, and the motivational flow-on effects experienced throughout the Hotel.In the developmental sta..." Human Resources Manager, Wentworth Hotel (part of the Rydges chain)
Successful Paper Management SeminarThank you for your interesting and indeed challenging speech. I could see all the people who've been buried under mountains of paper looking hopeful! You were succinctly able to get your point acro..." Australian Institute of Credit Managers, Sydney Branch
Personalised Seminar For Long-term ResultsOn behalf of the team at Strategic Lifestyle Management and our client Lend Lease I would like to thank you for the 'Getting A Grip on Time' workshops. My client was looking for a high quality and ..." SLM Conference and Incentive Manager, for client Lend Lease
Excellent Skilful Presenter "Thank you for the practical and informative Time Management seminar you recently gave to our senior management team". You are an excellent presenter and facilitated this seminar with great skill. ..." HR Manager, ANA Hotel, Sydney
Improve Your Organisation And ProductivityThe response to the program was extremely positive, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5. For some the workshop provided an opportunity to revisit the disciplines around time management, ..." Noel Cook, GM, Outdoor Network, Australia
Organisational Skills Improve To Lift ProductivityYour time management seminars are one of the best things we've ever done. Weeks later staff are still discussing the sessions and how their organisational skills have improved. Not only has it lift..." Centrelink, Dubbo, New South Wales
Productivity Increased 50%Now several months later and my productivity has increased between 30% and 50%. I'm seeing more and better clients, almost 90% proactive. I'm starting around 8am, leaving by 6pm and spend sleep hou..." Senior financial planner, IPAC, Australia
Timesaving Techniques LearnedA wonderful surprise to learn how much I had improved since the first programme with you nine months ago. Even so, this time I learnt a whole new layer of further useful timesaving techniques and d..." National Sales Manager, Personal Insurance, GIO Australia
Control Gained In Managing TimeFeedback from the staff was very positive... all felt they had gained a great deal of control and discipline in managing their time in an effective manner. MD, C.Y. O'Connor College of TAFE, Northam, WA
Immediate Action For ChangeA lot of great new ideas and some very good new tools that I shall start implementing immediately. Group Services Trainer, Adecco
Increased Efficiency Saves 20-25 Minutes A Day"Many practical hints which helped me reorganise my office, to operate efficiently." In subsequent conversation this same partner also said "I would estimate I save myself 20-25 minutes a day becau..." Senior Partner, Baldwin (Patent Attorneys)
Invaluable Resources In Time Management BooksI would like to take this opportunity to commend you on the flexibility of your approach, and enjoyable delivery style. Even considering the spectrum of experience amongst our participants you were..." Human Resources Manager, Professional Services Review, Canberra
Self Management Crucial In Time ManagementYou presented a most informative and challenging training session. Your ability to gain quick rapport with the participants, focus on the group's key issues, and address various ways of overcoming ..." Human Resources Manager, Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal of NSW
'Time Management Guru'!Once again you combine an enthusiastic presentation style with useful tips and techniques. Succinct and fun programmes are so successful with people who believe they have heard it all before! Furth..." Manager - Training & Development, Real Estate Institute of NSW
Beneficial Time Management IdeasYour presentation was brilliant, and your thoughts on how to make time management beneficial to everyone's businesses were very much appreciated. Comment was made at our Board meeting on how succes..." Barbara McCarthy, President, Chatswood Chamber of Commerce, Sydney
Informative And Energising SpeechWe could not have chosen better. Your contribution was just what we wanted and needed, and I was thrilled at the response. The content of both your Keynote address and your Workshop was excellent. ..." Raewyn James, Tamaki Teachers' Conference
Positive Feedback For SpeechRobyn, you gave a fantastic speech, and I am still having positive feedback about your talk to this day! Sales and Marketing Co-ordinator, Swiss Grand Hotel, Bondi, and co-ordinator of Eastern Suburbs Women's Breakfast
Work Life Balance Put Into PracticeI know everyone who attended was fascinated by all your planning tips and I know many have put them into practice already. Your enthusiasm and dedication to the assistance of everyone getting more ..." Solo Home Business Network, Sydney
IT Company Gains Insight Into Effective Time ManagementWe were very impressed... everyone gained considerable insight to effective time management and personal planning techniques... applicable to many different businesses and situations. I have no hes..." MD, IT software company, Auckland
Professional Approach Reinforces Time Management PrinciplesFollowing a number of very positive reference checks we invited Robyn Pearce to speak as part of the 'Practice Support Staff' stream of our National Conference. She was a delight to deal with, and ..." Godfrey Pembroke National Conference, Hobart, Tasmania
Staff Queue For Time Management Tips!"Thank you! I'm sure you could tell from everyone's enthusiasm that they enjoyed your presentation - and from the way everyone queued to speak to you afterwards, they were very keen to learn more! Programme Director, Pioneer SWAP
Specific Personalised Advice Benefits GroupRobyn gave much more than the professional information imparted in this kind of session. She engaged directly with each of the participants' major concerns and provided helpful advice that was also..." Principal Heritage Officer, Heritage Council NSW
They're 'screaming for more'!Thanks for your wonderful presentation. I've had a lot of positive feedback from our staff, and they can be a tough audience. They're 'screaming for more'! GM's assistant, Austereo, Australia
L.J. Hooker Predicts Great Success In Using Their TimeYour down-to-earth common sense certainly hit home to a lot of people, and the feedback was very good. I would particularly like to thank you for the time you took in researching L.J. Hooke..." Lyn McDermott, Ass. Director, Marketing and Communication, L.J. Hooker Ltd
5 Stars For Time Management CourseRobyn, in light of this morning's session (and comments about short emails!) I could leave it there but I won't. I've "been around" long enough to be a bit ho-hum about "organise yourself" seminars..." Wilf Marley, Principal, Marley Loft Systems (Accountants)
Simple Practical Action Steps For Work Life BalanceWe've had great feedback since your last session with the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants. Your pragmatism is so appealing. You gave us simple things to focus on that don't require a whole ne..." Denise Bovaird, Past President, New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants
Improved Focus And Concentration After Time Management CourseSince your time management course our managers have found that they can now focus better. Your tips on managing email, how to concentrate on the task at hand, and how to effectively plan first thin..." John Moore, Then-HR Manager, International Cricket Council, Dubai
Jam-packed Personalised Seminar Very EffectiveRobyn spoke to four of my Academy groups in the space of 11 days. I was really, really impressed, not only with her presentation style and the great interactivity, empathy and rapport that she gene..." Barrie Barrett, Chairman, Academy for Chief Executives, United Kingdom
"Awesome" Says Busy Law ClerkI just thought I'd spend a few minutes in the Proactive/Value-adding quadrant and let you know how informative and helpful your seminar for us law clerks here last week was. I particularly enjoyed ..." Law Clerk, Bell Gully, New Zealand
Excellent 'Management' Course, As Well As 'Time Management'I would like to extend a huge thank you for making your valuable time available to facilitate and present the "Getting A Grip on Time Management" Training Course to our advisers and administrators ..." David Greenslade, Managing Director, Strategi, New Zealand
We've Regained 30% Of The Time We Used to Lose!Since we worked with Robyn 5 months ago our team of 12 underwriters and support staff have improved our effectiveness significantly. Amongst other things we've regained about 30% of the time we use..." Paula Harris, Senior Underwriter, QBE Insurance, New Zealand
Fantastic Course - Team Feedback Extremely Positive!Thanks very much for the Time Management programme you have conducted over the last 6 weeks.The course was fantastic and I really appreciate how you accommodated our brief into your presentation an..." Gareth McCulloch, National Sales Manager, Southern Hospitality Limited
If you feel as though you're struggling - I've been there.
Read about my time management successes.
If you're anything like I was back at the beginning of my journey, take a deep breathe and relax. You're already a good way towards reclaiming your life just by being on this page.
Want to Earn Some Money? Become an affiliate now with our Full Support. Click Here to find out More