Proper Time Management for Prosperous and Healthy Life - Term Paper Example

Problem Solving Introduction The busy life schedule that we have to lead today makes it quite challenging for us to manage our time efficiently and correspondingly, lead a healthy living. As often argued, the only key to solve the problem is to ensure proper time management (Adair, 2013). It is often argued that individuals, in the 21st century have to face many issues related to psychological wellness, healthy living and growth in their personal as well as professional life owing to lack of proper time management, which further leads to stress and anxiety related problems (Dex, 2003). It is in this context that theorists suggest that proper management of time and energy is necessary for individuals to lead a prosperous life (Olpin & Hesson, 2012). Taking note on this context, this study intends to present possible solutions to the problems I am facing currently. Accordingly, the problem scenario has been described followed by each step of my problem solving strategy. Alternative actions have also been discussed in this study to make the solution process an all-inclusive one. Description of the Problem Scenario From the problems I am currently facing, it is apparent that I have become involved in many tasks at one time, which has in turn caused stress on me to manage my time and energy in the best productive way. The core problem I am facing relates to my efficiency to manage my profession and my personal life. While I am determinant to make my career better, I also have to give time to my two children. I also have to take care of their career and progress, as one of my children is a soccer player and the other is a musical band participant. While on one hand, I have given my words to coach the soccer team, I am also involved as a fundraiser for the band. I also have two parents, whom I have to look after. Additionally, I have two papers within the same week when my children have their soccer tournament and band concert. These problems have also started taking toll on my physical health, wherein the doctor has diagnosed that I am suffering from high blood pressure and cholesterol. With all these obligations on my shoulders, financial pressure has also emerged as a major concern for me, as the prescribed medication is supposed to cost around $200, after the co-pay provided by my insurance. Steps of the Problem Solving Strategy Apparently, I am currently going through a phase where I am overburdened with my personal obligations, financial requirements and career oriented objectives and thus, need to balance my work and personal life aims at the earliest. At the onset, it is important to mention that before running to find out the solution to any obstacles it is necessary to step back and devote certain time to properly understand the problem, which in this case, will allow me to segregate between my personal and professional goals. To be precise, the process to actively solve the problem with the implemented strategy comes through experience, wherein, a certain degree of help can be highly beneficial to solve the issue (Litemind, 2014). With this notion, the following steps will be taken into consideration in developing solutions for my problems. Rephrase the Problem, Segregating My Personal and Professional Goals: I am currently facing problems related to my work-life and certainly, need to balance it in an efficient way. In this regards, I will have to first list my professional goals and personal obligations, followed by a priority list, inclusive of all my responsibilities (Litemind, 2014). Only then, will I be able to deal with the problems currently disrupting the normalcy in my life. Expose and Challenge Assumptions: From a rational point of view, taking up responsibilities beyond one’s capabilities is nowhere a solution to be efficient and successful. Therefore, perhaps for a time-being, I will have to share my responsibilities with others, delegating few tasks to them so that I am able to accomplish my priority goals effectively. Find Multiple Perspectives: To deal with the problems identified above, I will also need to take a third person point of view, which will help me identify my lacunas and build a more efficient planning to perform my responsibilities towards my family and my career simultaneously. It will also prove beneficial to search for possible options to delegate few of my responsibilities and conduct the operations smoothly, which will further be helpful in developing a balance in my work-life (Bianchi & Milkie, 2010). Alternative Actions Corresponding To Problem Solving Strategy Proper time management in individual’s life is supposed to be a key to prosperous and healthy living. Concerning my problems as well, it is necessary that I properly manage the time so that I can perform both my career related and personal life related obligations (Piotrowski, 2011). In the current circumstance, I am busy throughout the week with my one job, which is scheduled from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. followed by my classes from 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. on weekdays. On Saturdays, I have another job from 3.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. along with an online class. Apparently, the schedule of my two jobs and two educational courses simultaneously has made time management an issue of concern for me. Above all, I am also involved with the soccer team and the band of my two children and have to take care of my parents at home. As I have already overburdened myself with too many obligations at home and in my professional career, I will have to seek help from my two cousins. As it is quite apparent that this week, I will have a tight schedule, I can send my parents to one of my siblings in another state. I may also request for help from my other sibling, two miles away from my home, to assist my children with their soccer tournament and band concert, only for this week, so that I can have my papers delivered on time. This will certainly help me complete my graduation within the desired duration, i.e. within two years. Hopefully, with the stress reduced, I will be able to manage medication costs to a certain extent. However, this solution measures may result in causing a distance with my children, as during their preparation, I might not be present to assist them. Nevertheless, in order to manage the obligations of a coach and a fund raiser, I will focus on delegating my responsibilities to other professionals and take due note of the progress so that my children do not feel neglected. I will also maintain regular contact with my parents, whom I plan to send to my sibling in another state, so that I can manage the distance with them, without causing a negative impact on my children or on my elderly parents (Bellafiore, 2014). However, I will also have to make sure that after the final performance of my children and once my two due papers are submitted, I bring my parents back at home. In addition, I will also have to ensure that such mistakes, i.e. to overburden myself with family responsibilities and demanding career goals, is not repeated in future, which may again result in imbalances in my work-life and cause health issues. Problem-Solving Strategy with Different Scenarios In my problem solving strategies, I will remain focused on two aspects in particular ― first, to reduce the burden of my family responsibilities to an extent that I can perform efficiently, and second, to manage time efficiently in my professional and personal life. As often argued, time management and taking up responsibilities that can be managed properly is essential to have a work-life balance. To be noted in this regards, the applicability of these solutions can be observed to be profound and wide-ranging in different kind of scenarios. However, it should be noted in this context that permanent solution to the problems should be segregated from their primary solutions, i.e. to delegate the responsibilities of my children and parents to my siblings. Repetition of such disruptions will not only cause problems to my family life, but may also result in various psychological problems among my children and parents. It should be noted in this context that as I have already overburdened myself with professional obligations, being involved in two jobs and two educational courses, it is not possible for me to delegate responsibilities in these sectors and reduce my stress. In addition, given the financial pressure on me, I can also not quit either of my jobs, which might result in jeopardizing my problems further. Therefore, I will have to make compromises in my personal life. It is worth mentioning in this context that this cannot be the sustainable solution to any kind of scenarios. Hence, I will need to first ensure that I take up responsibilities only to an extent that I can manage; rather than increasing my burden uncontrollably. Conclusion From the above analysis and discussion, it can be concluded that I have to understand the limitations that I possess, to solve the problems family am currently facing, in maintaining a work-life balance. At the foremost, understanding my limitations will help me take requisite measures to mitigate the possible chances of such issues in the future. It will also help me reduce my stress level and overcome my limitations to make my life more prosperous and happy. Undoubtedly, with the responsibilities of my parents and children, I will also have to plan my finances accordingly, so as to mitigate the chances of increased financial pressure on me, in future occurrences. References Adair, J. (2013). Decision making and problem solving. United Kingdom: Kogan Page Publishers. Bellafiore, D. (2014). Interpersonal Conflict and Effective Communication. Retrieved from http://www.drbalternatives.com/articles/cc2.html Bianchi, S. M. & Milkie, M. A. (2010). Work and Family Research in the First Decade of the 21st Century. Journal of Marriage and Family, Vol. 72, pp. 705 – 725. Dex, S. (2003). Families and Work in the Twenty-First Century. The Homestead: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Litemind. (2014). Einstein’s Secret to Amazing Problem Solving (and 10 Specific Ways You Can Use It). Retrieved from https://litemind.com/problem-definition/ Piotrowski, C. M. (2011). Problem Solving and Critical Thinking for Designers. United States: John Wiley & Sons. Read More