Here's how you can balance your time and prioritize your continuing education in Strategic Communications.

We are the boss and the owner of our working time. Sometimes we have dfficulties in managing our time. It is all about our choices and decisions where to go. We can take and spare ten to twenty minutes to read books or we can minimize our lunch time to take short on line course for our personal development or we can go home little bite late to self empowering through productive and meaningfull activities aligining with our role and responsibilities

Find out exactly what you want to do with your education and how it can work for you. Strategic communication is a terrific field that is wide versed. That can mean many different jobs. If your only interest is within promoting, you will take strategic Communications to mean more marketing. If your interest is. Are in public relations, you may find Dad you shift towards crisis. There was power and learning about the message. Too many people focus on the platforms and software and not enough on the message. Strategic Communications focuses on every aspect of the words, the visuals, Etc....The most important part. I see too many people caught up and what the apps can do more than what they can do with their messaging.

Consider factors like your current skillset, career goals, and preferred learning style (online courses, workshops, conferences) to identify areas for improvement and choose the most effective educational resources. Additionally, think about any knowledge gaps you may have in specific areas of strategic communication, such as crisis communication or social media marketing. This will help you tailor your learning journey to your specific needs and career aspirations.

To effectively balance your time, start by assessing your educational needs. Determine which areas of strategic communications you aim to improve or update, such as crisis management or digital media strategies. By identifying your goals, you can prioritize learning opportunities that align with your career objectives. This focused approach ensures that every minute spent on continuing education propels you forward in the most relevant areas, maximizing the impact of your efforts and enhancing your professional growth in the most critical aspects of your field.

Once you know what you need, it's time to plan. Look at your calendar and identify periods that are typically less hectic. Use these times to schedule your continuing education activities. Whether it's an online course, workshop, or seminar, planning ahead allows you to integrate learning into your life without overwhelming yourself. Consistency is key, so allocate regular, manageable time slots for your studies. This approach ensures you can steadily progress without compromising your other responsibilities, making your professional development both effective and sustainable.

Plan Ahead. Not only will creating a schedule help you carve out dedicated study time, but it also allows you to anticipate and avoid potential roadblocks. Block out time for coursework, studying for exams, and attending lectures or webinars. Be realistic about how much time each task will take, and don't forget to factor in buffer periods for unexpected interruptions. Consider scheduling your study sessions during your most productive times of day to maximize your focus and retention.

Don't forget to explore online resources like professional association websites, MOOC platforms, and industry publications. Many offer free courses, webinars, and articles specifically designed for strategic communication professionals. Consider following industry influencers on social media for insights and trends you can incorporate into your learning.

Take advantage of the multitude of resources available for learning strategic communications. From podcasts and webinars to online courses and professional associations, numerous avenues can fit into a busy schedule. Opt for resources offering flexibility, such as on-demand content you can consume at your own pace. This way, you can continue your education without rearranging your entire routine, ensuring that you remain up-to-date and proficient in your field while managing your other commitments effectively.

Setting boundaries is crucial when juggling multiple commitments. Clearly define when you're working, studying, and taking time off, and communicate these boundaries to colleagues, friends, and family so they respect your schedule. This might involve turning off work emails during study time or setting an out-of-office reply when attending a course. Protecting your time is essential to ensure your continuing education remains a priority and doesn't become an afterthought, enabling you to balance your responsibilities effectively.

Protecting your time isn't about saying no to everything; it's about saying yes to what aligns with your goals. As Jeff Bezos once said, "Work-life harmony is a blend, not a balance." By setting boundaries, you create the space to pursue both professional excellence and personal fulfillment without burnout.

For me, breaking down my learning tasks into small chunks has made it possible to continue my education while working full time... twice! The second time around, I had two small children so I needed to leverage every spare minute I could. I kept a list of tasks that would take just 15-30 minutes so I could stay organized and one task during nap times, lunch breaks or after bed time.

Business people tend to think that education theories do not apply. There are business people that think the School of hard knocks is the only way to learn. I think there's room for both and as you study theory apply experience to it. Learn the value of both the theoretical and the practical. When you can find the balance between the two, there will be many answers that you could not see before. People that are blind to theory miss things. People that are blind to practical solutions also miss things. Be somebody that understands both and gets experience within all. I take some project work just to stay sharp in the industry for what I teach in the classroom and my Master's and PhD classes.