What do you do if your work responsibilities are overwhelming your pursuit of continuing education?

Go back to the core vision of the institution. If the task directly and impactfully feeds into that, it's a 'keeper'. If it doesn't, then it probably needs to go. Opportunity costs are insidious; we cannot see them and, as such, we are very good at convincing ourselves that they don't exist! For everything we do that doesn't help us achieve our core mission and goals, it's one less thing we can do that will. Priorities!

Institutional success hinges on aligning every task with the core vision. Each undertaking must be rigorously assessed for its direct impact. If a task veers off course from serving the core mission, it risks diluting the institution's focus and resources. Recognizing opportunity costs is paramount; neglecting this can blind us to lost potential. Every action chosen detracts from what could have been accomplished elsewhere. Maintaining a steadfast commitment to priorities ensures optimal utilization of time and resources. By ruthlessly prioritizing tasks that directly contribute to the core vision, institutions safeguard against inefficiency and ensure their efforts yield maximum impact. It's not just about doing more.

Establish realistic goals for your continuing education journey. Break down your learning objectives into manageable tasks and allocate specific time slots for studying, attending classes, or engaging in online courses. Be mindful of your work commitments and plan accordingly to avoid overwhelming yourself.

It does take time to complete a degree, and this is from personal experience. It took me nearly 10 years to get my Ed.D. completed. Work and life events, including, getting married, having one, two, then three kids, and moving across an entire state had to take priority at times. However, what did not stop was my desire to complete this degree. Here are some tips to consider: 1. Continuous contact with your advisor(s) and institution. 2. Attempt at least one class a semester and "earmark" time to get it completed. 3. Realize that good things take time. When it came to my dissertation... "How do you eat an elephant?" Answer: One bite at a time! 4. Remember you are only human, but when you focus on what matters, you can do great things!

Yes, as a principal, my work responsibilities are overwhelming and they do hinder my pursuit of continuing education. So, for this, I prioritize tasks to create time for learning. I identify the most critical work tasks and allocate specific time slots for continuing education activities. By prioritizing tasks, I can ensure that I make progress in both areas without feeling overwhelmed.

When you have tasks to perform, always go with the time plan.This time plan will motivate you to achieve with enthusiasm.while fixing the time and deadlines for activities, one shall not be too anxious and keep the goal which can be achievable with the detailed schedule of work to be performed.

Stop procrastinating. Prioritising, scheduling and if possible delegating work will help in effective time management to balance work and education simultaneously. Limit the time spent on social media. Abstaining completely from social media or any other activity can cause frustration and affect both work and studies. Make a schedule, prioritise ( don’t forget to cut some slack for yourself). It’s not only about balancing work and education but also life. Use a Planning tool or an organiser to Do , Defer / delay , Delegate and Drop these 4 principles of time management will help you remain focused on your Goals.

To manage my time effectively, I do the following: 1. Develop a detailed schedule that allocates time for work, education, and personal activities. 2. Identify and eliminate activities that consume time (Time-wasters) without adding value to work or education. 3. I regularly use productivity tools like calendars, task managers, and reminders to stay organized and manage time efficiently. My favourite is Microsoft To Do. 4. I also delegate tasks that other team members can do to free up time for educational pursuits. This way, I also develop my team's skills. 5. I stay Flexible and Focused. I leave space to accommodate unforeseen work demands and also maintain focus on the tasks at hand to ensure efficient use of available time.

La evaluación del tiempo es esencial para su gestión, considerar en qué se invierte más el tiempo, con quién y de qué hablo más, cuántos minutos consumimos en las RRSS, hasta considerar el uso del transporte de casa al trabajo es interesante considerarlo para evaluar la disponibilidad para la formación continua, entre mejor gestionemos el tiempo mayor disposición para nuestra actualización.

One thing I have done personally and have also recommended to learners is to designate a couple of people as your cheerleaders. You would need one cheerleader at home; this could be a family member or friend who is aware of your schedule and plan and checks in on you from time to time and gives you a few words of encouragement when you need it. The other cheerleaders should ideally be your manager and a supportive co-worker. Your manager would be able to help you plan your workload better and the co-worker would help you occasionally let off steam and stay the course.

A las instituciones educativas les conviene tener a su personal actualizado, de allí que la comunicación efectiva con el gerente o director educativo es esencial para la coordinación de la carga horaria, crear pautas laborales con los compa?ero de trabajo para cubrir horas, establecer acuerdos de ayuda, puede ser que, una vez culminada tu formación, te prestas para brindar apoyo a quiénes también quieran actualizarse, así se fomenta el trabajo en equipo y el crecimiento institucional.

I certainly have been guilty of wanting to complete additional study and complete as quickly as possible so as to reap the benefits of the course/degree sooner. A more realistic and manageable approach is to pace yourself, choose a part time load that compliments your current role but also allows you to have time for self-care also. Do your research, find a course or degree that compliments both your personal and professional needs, as even the most diligent educational leader can find study tedious at times. Ensuring there is personal interest and capacity for growth outside of your educational leadership role will assist you to keep on track and be motivated. Avoid going too quick too soon and make it valuable to you, not just your role.

Set what is achievable within your means. Do not set your goals far from reality. See that such goals are tentatively planned with the Time schedule . Have a provision for a time schedule for meeting any exigencies.

I try to set realistic goals to manage my time effectively, but yes I also humanly miss deadlines. I prefer to assess my workload and commitments regularly (usually Sunday to Sunday) and establish achievable milestones for work and education. By setting realistic SMART goals, I prioritize tasks and allocate time efficiently, ensuring that I progress in both areas without feeling overwhelmed. But, most importantly, I don't leave things for the last minute; for me, continuity is a habit that helps me avoid getting into that last-minute distress.

I agree and it is also helpful to link your educational development with a target/goal within role. By joining the two my educational development is not at odds with my role. They feed off each other and help keep you motivated.

Setting realistic goals is essential when managing overwhelming work responsibilities while pursuing continuing education. Realistic goals are achievable within your current constraints and resources. When setting goals, it's crucial to consider your workload, deadlines, and available support. Be specific about what you want to accomplish and break down larger goals into smaller, actionable steps. Set realistic timelines for each goal and remain flexible to adapt as needed. Celebrate your achievements along the way to stay motivated. By setting realistic goals that align with your workload and commitments, you can effectively balance work responsibilities with your educational pursuits.

An example of how technology works well here is through micro-learning. If you can’t commit to a 3 day course for example you can possibly commit to 10/20 minutes a day over a couple of weeks by signing up to a digital course.

Embracing technology is key to effectively managing overwhelming work responsibilities while pursuing continuing education. By leveraging technology, individuals can enhance efficiency, flexibility, and learning opportunities. Utilize project management tools and communication platforms to streamline tasks and collaborate with colleagues. Access online courses and educational resources to expand skills without disrupting work commitments. Stay connected through virtual communication channels and leverage data analysis tools for informed decision-making. Engage in online networking to build relationships and utilize time management apps for effective task prioritization.

One should firstly accept that work responsibilities would be overwhelming if the job demands, however enhancing knowledge and learning by continuing education needs to be managed by putting the extra effort, time and energy. That 'extra' is much required if one has decided to progress and excel.

Agile frameworks are great resources for routines that support learning in a way compatible with your work responsibilities. For instance, in ?pair programming? two team members pair up during a real work project and take turns in performing the required tasks. While one is working (e.g. performing an audit test), the other is watching. This simple setup allows for a regular transfer of knowledge and experience between team members.

Block out dedicated time slots in your calendar for studying, just like you would for important meetings. Aim for smaller, consistent chunks of study time rather than cramming large amounts of information at once.

Remember investing in your education and development is an investment in yourself and the in turn offers a ROI in your role. In my experience maintaining this perspective is important.

I think the important thing is to be focused on your growth and finding your greatness. That is the whole purpose of continuing education alongside your career. So, when we have a clear mission in our mind that guide us, we can make those critical decisions on managing time, prioritising, seeking support, and making the necessary adjustments in education and work, flawlessly.

Why is no one questioning the question?? We develop for the sole purpose of being more successful in our work. If your job de-prioritizes your professional development, then they are de-prioritizing their business. If work responsibilities are so great so as to overwhelm your opportunity for growth, then obviously you will never grow… or provide additional value to that company. Stay and be a workhorse, or choose the development opportunity and shine for a company that values your newfound knowledge, skill, or ability. Stated from the opposite perspective: it is the responsibility of the employer not to overwhelm the employee to such a degree that inhibits /prevents professional development. Companies that do stifle their own growth.