Taking on new roles recharges my resilience and fosters a sense of self-growth

Humans of KMS is back with insightful sharing from Phung Tran, a KMSer in Healthcare business line and also a devoted family woman. Sharing tips for managing multiple roles simultaneously, Phung has integrated her work and life into a large project consisting of countless to-do lists. Every task must be organized by priority, assigned to the right person, and closely monitored to achieve the best outcomes in all her roles.

Every individual entering the workplace has their own unique story about multitasking, and the core of success lies in how we perceive the value we can provide to our clients, our careers, and our loved ones. Let's listen to Phung's perspective to recharge our resilience as we embrace new challenging roles.

I choose balance it all since i don’t want to miss any roles

My family has just welcomed our second child, and the situtation is completely different from our first one. The younger one needs a lot more care as he is quite delicate. Since my husband and I live far from our parents, we have to manage childcare on our own. There was a time when everything felt overwhelming, from taking care of two children to handling work responsibilities. Parents from both sides suggested that my husband be the sole breadwinner while I focused entirely on childcare. However, just a few months into my maternity leave, I started to feel trapped in the daily cycle of diaper changing and spoon feeding. Changing my circumstances is easy, but my determination to stay engaged in my work is hard to shift. Fearing that I might fall behind on changes upon returning to my job, I chose to keep pushing through.

Juggling multiple roles is challenging yet there are always ways to manage

After returning from maternity leave, I was assigned to a significant project. Initially, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the pace and meet the requirements. However, with the mindset of "do it first, deal with issues later" I boldly said yes. There were moments of confusion when tasks kept piling up, and my child fell ill and cried constantly. Rotating to another project was another choice for me, but then I realized that would be too easy, so I decided to stay and conquer this challenge!

I had to manage my time more strictly. In the past, I could easily separate my work and personal life into two distinct categories and feel comfortable in both areas. Now, I view my work and life as an one big project which requires all the tasks to be prioritized, assigned appropriately, and closely monitored. During work hours, I focus intensely on resolving all work-related issues so that when it’s time for my childcare, I won’t be distracted and can dedicate quality time to my family.

In reality, my colleagues will surely kindly supported me to spend time for my children. However, due to the nature of my work, combined with my nature of “want to do it all”, I often find myself turning off the sleep light and turning on the chat light to assist my teammates. Then my boss will tease me and say, "You did it on your own". What else can I do? My perfect day must be when my child sleeps well and all tasks are smoothly managed without moving from "in testing" back to "in progress."

I’ve also learned to let go of the need to do everything perfectly, partly because my current situation doesn’t allow for it. I’ve tried to seek more support and advice from other people - my colleagues when I have an overwhelming task, my husband when I need him to take care of the baby so I can attend an urgent meeting, and my parents when I’m unsure how to care for my child. Gradually, everything seems to untangle, and I feel much more at ease to "fight on all fronts."

Looking back, this phase feels like a new horizon where I have the opportunity to learn, practice, and upgrade my skillsets!

Taking on new roles fosters a sense of self-growth

Every time starting a new role, I experience a range of emotions. When I became a KMSer, I was excited to continuously work hard and develop myself to meet job’s requirements. As a wife, I learned to respect and harmonize my lifestyle with my partner. In my role as a mother, I realized for the first time in my life that I could love someone unconditionally. Each role I’ve experienced in life is an adventure, providing opportunities for me to grow into a more mature person.

I believe that not only women but men also need balance to juggle multiple roles at once. However, any challenges, whether in work or life, require our time and calmness to seek solutions. Precise planning and proper time management are keys to balancing various roles simultaneously. More importantly, I believe that confidence in oneself is the greatest strength that helps me remain resilient and capable of overcoming all obstacles in this multitasking journey.

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