How to balance work, life and continuing education

Have you ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day to balance career, family, and personal growth? I’m a father of three, a dedicated husband, a full-time employee, and a business owner. Finding the time to pursue an MBA in IT project management might seem impossible, but I’ve discovered strategies that allow me to manage my time and continue my education without sacrificing relationships with my family or success in my career.

Three key tactics I’ve learned as I navigate this delicate balance are:

• Commit to a consistent schedule.
• Make the most of quiet moments.
• Stay abreast of industry trends.

I chose to pursue my MBA at this point in my career to better position myself for leadership. I spent almost two decades growing and developing myself as a technical expert, and I feel that leadership is the next direction for me.

I’m pursuing an MBA at Western Governors University. The primary reason I chose this program is because it has an acceleration option that allows you to finish a degree program incredibly fast if you are motivated to do so or have prior knowledge. I’m on track to complete my MBA program in one six-month term, taking 12 classes that included project management, accounting, and ethical leadership courses.

It starts with consistency

To make time for continuing education as a busy working adult, you have to carve out chunks of time to focus on learning and studying. Several blocks of time per week, or even daily blocks, are ideal in terms of retention. But at the very least, set aside time weekly so that the subject matter stays fresh in your mind as you progress through the material.

I like to do the bulk of my studying/learning during the week, because the weekends are busy with errands and life. For me, it means studying late at night a couple of times a week, along with learning at work if permitted. In the case of IT certifications, in my experience, many employers don’t have a problem with studying for certifications while you’re at work, as long as your regular responsibilities aren’t being neglected.

Regular efforts compound and can yield significant results over time. There is no success without consistency.

For tech professionals, there are lots of flexible ways to learn – online college courses, Udemy video courses, self-paced learning through books, and instructor-led boot camps, to name a few. Regardless of the method of learning, I’ve found that it works best when I build routines and habits around learning that help me stay consistent.

Routines could include playing a specific playlist while studying, choosing a dedicated study area in my home, and rewarding myself after completing chapters or sections. Take it from someone who has been in school consistently for the better part of a decade with a growing family and progressing career: These things work. They help your mind associate the music you put on, or the space you go to, with studying and learning. It’s a cue to your brain that says, “ok, it’s time to learn.” A small reward could be watching an episode of your favorite show, getting food you like, etc. These little routines stack up to create a cue-craving-response-reward loop that builds habits that stick.

Find power in early mornings or late nights

Early mornings and late nights are key to getting things done in my house. I have a teenager, a pre-teen, and a toddler who all have sports, clubs, and homework. Not to mention, kids generally expect some sort of dinner. Mornings can be hectic, the workday is busy, and evenings are filled with activities.

It’s important to find those blocks of time that don’t pull you out of your daily routine and cause disruption. For me, the calmest time in my household is around 9:00 p.m. on weekdays. So that’s when I plan to spend an hour or two studying or learning. As a night owl, I prefer late nights for studying. However, if mornings suit your schedule better, consider waking up an hour or two earlier, a few days a week, to focus on your studies. Whether it’s in the morning or at night, pick a time that you can commit to. It will be a small sacrifice for you, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be for the other people and commitments you have in your life. Make a plan, block out your times, and be as efficient as you can during those times to really pack in the progress.

Stay current with tech news and trends

Staying current with news and trends in our field is at the heart of any type of continued education for tech professionals. Technology evolves quickly, and there’s never a moment when what you already know will be good enough to carry you through a decades-long career. As Harry S. Truman (among others) said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”

Luckily, there’s no shortage of platforms, groups, conferences, and learning opportunities to help bridge the gap between what you already know and what’s new. I read Network World and its sister publications, and I subscribe to newsletters to see the highlights.

I’m also a fan of professional organizations, which can offer learning experiences as well as networking opportunities by connecting you with local and national industry contacts. I currently belong to two professional organizations: Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) and Blacks in Technology (BIT). My local chapter of ISSA hosts quarterly meetups, where a different technology partner gives a presentation about a new technology or trends in our industry.

Conferences are another valuable resource. Employers often allocate budgets for sending employees to industry-related conferences. This is a great resource to take advantage of if you have the opportunity. I’ve attended conferences almost every year of my career. I’ve gone to tech-focused events, such as a SharePoint conference, Black Hat, and RSA, as well as more industry-specific events such as APTA and CTA when I worked in the transit industry. Conferences offer learning tracks based on interests and skill levels, along with ample networking opportunities. In the whirlwind of family life and professional commitments, finding time to pursue further education can feel impossible. But with consistency, careful planning, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt, it’s possible to achieve balance and find success in both your personal and professional endeavors.