Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Time Crisis

I'm having a time crisis.  I have so much going on, much of it is voluntary and I'm having trouble getting it all done.

I have three priorities.  The first is to provide for and be present with my family.  The second is my commitment to endurance sports.  The third is to be a part of the community that surrounds endurance sports.

Three priorities seem manageable on paper, but of course it isn't that simple.  That said, the first priority is simply not negotiable.  The second one hasn't really been negotiable either.  This leaves my 3rd priority, being part of the endurance sports community, as the one that suffers.

I'm really annoyed by this.

He's got emails to answer.
I recently had lunch with my friend Blasko who manages four or five bands.  Two of them are doing really well, so they take up a lot of his time.  He also has another job - he's the bass player in Ozzy Osbourne's band.  And they have been on tour for almost a year.

Looking for time management advice, I asked him how he gets it all done while on tour.  He reckons it's easier to stay on top of things while on the road as opposed to from home.  All he's got two do is rock for two hours a night.  And then he's got Wi-Fi everywhere.  He simply puts down his guitar and picks up his iPhone.  No grocery shopping to do.  No dog food to pick up.  And no laundry.

I suppose he's right.  When I was touring I definitely felt like I lived in a bubble.  It's just too bad that at the time I wasn't particularly motivated to do much more with my free time than go to the movies.

I'm stoked for Blasko.  However, there is no answer here for me.  There is no way I could ever rock as much as he does so I'm stuck in my world.

I really enjoy the interaction provided by the blogs and playing around with social networking via Endurance Athlete Project.  Not having the time to read and comment on blogs has left me feeling disconnected.  I also haven't had much time to write.  But that doesn't really matter because I've been too busy to think of things to say.

The time crunch is mostly due to a job change.  My new job keeps me busy.  I don't mind - things are off to a good start and I am enjoying my work more than I have in a long time.  But I'm the kind of guy who likes to have his cake and eat it too.  I'm going to try and figure this out.

But outside of moving to a planet that takes longer than 24 hours to rotate on it's axis, I don't have any ideas, at least not yet.  I already run my schedule tight.  I already stay up late.  I think it's going to come down to a natural progression of things - As in I'll need to give things a chance to sort themselves out.

So please bear with me.  And feel free to school me with your time management tricks.

19 comments:

Petraruns said...

I love reading about time management which in itself tells you something. However, what helps - in my experience - is if there is something you want to achieve which is time-consuming and you can't fit it in - is to dedicate 20 minutes (or 30 or 15) a day to it. Within a week you will have made some progress.

Barbie said...

Patrick, I wish I could help but I too have been struggling. My family is and always is number 1. Aside from that I focus one day entirely on one thing at a time. So one day i read and comment of blogs, the next day I focus on DM posts, then the other day I write. Thats all that can be done. You are only one person and doing an already amazing job at that. So don't worry about the rest of us, do what you can and all will be good :)

Michael said...

If you get this thing figured out you will definitely have to share with the rest of us. I totally feel your pain, sometimes I have no idea how I'm going to get everything done. I was spending way too much time blogging and last week decided I was going to have to give myself only a set amount of time to dedicate to it...for now that's what I can do.

Jennifer said...

Time management? What's that?

Big Clyde said...

I used to travel all the time for work...I found it much easier for the reasons you cited. "Being present" with family, chores, errands, and a new job definitely is harder.

However, I am also a bassist. Yes, we rock and are the spine that holds up the rest of the band, getting very little credit. But we are accustomed to standing in the background, silently thinking that we have all the answers. I like your friend because he plays the coolest instrument. But following Ozzy Osbourne around for a year would likely lead to other poor choices.

You'll settle in eventually. It's good to hear from you. We'll be here.

adena said...

I had a friend recently ask me how I 'do it' and he wasn't asking about sex.. haha but I think compared to most of you I have it easy. No kids, no commitments on my time other than things I decide so aside from work and a few mom/pop obligations I have it easy. I have wondered where you found the time to do EA. My offer still stands, if you need any help with that let me know, I'd be happy to do anything I can.

Christi said...

I am facing time managment issues right now myself. I haven't figured it out yet so please let us know what you hear!

KovasP said...

I would say move your training to early morning, as that gives you the entire day for family and work, but it doesn't jibe with staying up late, which you like to do. Glad to hear the new job is going well!

Unknown said...

Life Happens, priorities shift, and adjustments take time. You'll be on track before you know it!!!

Remember to enjoy the journey :-)

Tri4Success said...

My biggest time management issue: Blog length. Even when I sit down to jot a "quick note" I end up with a novella.

Oh, I'm also a bass player (originally a jazz saxophonist) and my boys are huge fans of Ozzy. Seriously, my 9yr old can probably name 10-15 songs. Developed that taste all on his own.

Jill said...

If I didn't have a mundane job, I wouldn't get any blogs read (and let's face it, I barely write!) - but I have had to drastically cut down whose I read because I just can't keep up. I'm also lucky I get off work pretty early (I work 6-2) and can hit the gym...but when I get back, the stress level rises as I'm juggling kids, dinner, laundry..etc, plus clients. I have found the best way to combat the crazies is to get more sleep. Doesn't seem like it'd be the cure but I am so much more productive if I am not dog tired all day.

Glad the new job's going well!

Jason said...

I hear you as I just started a new job and feel disconnected at times as well.

I have decided to focus on the things that matter the most. If I don't get to a blog for a day or two it won't end the world and I have to remember that.

I have set aside 2 hours on Sunday to do business work in terms of receipts, etc.

I have set aside 1 hour each evening to try to write my own blog and catch up on others.

Everything else is working and family.

I also get up at 3am to get my workouts in starting at 5. Not for everybody but it works for me.

TRI714 said...

Bleh !!! we are just in that season right now. Im feeling ya. Although NO reason to leave me a total orphan !!

Anonymous said...

I'm with you on keeping it all up!! How do some people do it??? :)

RockStarTri said...

time maangement and balance are my biggest limiters. If you find the road is made of yellow brick, please share.

Lucas R. Tucker said...

no tricks. I had more time, and I understand the disconnected feeling. Good luck figuring things out, you know we are here when you need to hash things out.

The Green Girl said...

I always sacrifice sleep to cram more stuff in my day. ::sigh::

Glenn Jones said...

Great to hear the new job is working out! Whatever you do, don't stop treading water.

DRog said...

When you have a family, job and try to train...time becomes the limiting factor. I figure you can always do 2of the 3 great and the third not so great. This obviously leaves training and its surrounding time sucking activities to suffer!

lately I feel like Henry Hill (ray Liotta) in GoodFellas the final scene "I had to stir the spaghetti, drop the guns, get to Janice and make the coke, back to the spaghetti"

spaghetti!

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