There can be several benefits associated with getting an MBA, such as pay increases, confidence, credibility, and networking. Many women know that an MBA would benefit their future, but they worry about juggling the demands of parenthood and work on top of study.
While there’s no denying that some sacrifices will need to be made, it can be worthwhile when you graduate with an MBA that has the potential to set you up for future success. If you’re wondering how you’ll work toward your MBA with a busy lifestyle, here are a few helpful tips to consider.
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You Can Study Online
It can sometimes seem like women and MBA don’t go hand in hand. Many women give up their study dreams to care for their children and then work full time to support them. However, rather than giving up a job you love or trying to navigate childcare, you can work toward your MBA from the comfort of your own home when you have time to spare.
There’s no need to attend in-person classes or even change your working hours. Life can continue almost as usual, which is bound to provide much-needed peace of mind for women who don’t believe study fits into their lifestyle.
Allow Yourself to Not Be Perfect
Most women aspire to give everything 100%, even if it means sacrificing their mental health or putting themselves under a great deal of stress. Adding study into your daily routine can sometimes mean you can’t give everything your all, and it’s easy to feel guilty for not being the best version of yourself for you and your loved ones.
However, it’s essential to give yourself permission to be less than perfect. Working towards your MBA can take up much of your time, and there’s nothing wrong with temporarily giving other tasks less of your effort to experience less stress and feelings of overwhelm.
Get Help and Support
It might have been your choice to get an MBA, but that doesn’t mean you have to manage on your own. Juggling work, family, and study can be challenging, and you might need to reach out to friends, family, and colleagues for help from time to time.
Talk to your significant other about helping out in a greater capacity, and even see if you can rely on parents, siblings, and other family members to help with errands, childcare, and other tasks you can’t manage on your own. You might even be able to negotiate your workload or working hours with your employer to free up your time and provide more balance.
Even if you’re managing your life obligations, you might just need someone to listen, so it’s essential to have a support network you can call at a moment’s notice for help, advice, and kind words.
Create a Routine
Daily life is sometimes nothing short of chaotic, especially when you have a full-time job and children with various needs. A routine might seem like the furthest possibility, but it can be necessary to ensure everyone’s needs are taken care of and nothing falls through the cracks.
As soon as you begin your MBA, create a routine that suits every family member. It might include having the kids ready for school by a particular time of the morning, remembering to pack their lunches at the same time each night, and dedicating a set amount of time each day to studying without any distractions. By having a routine, there won’t be any questions surrounding who needs to perform tasks when they need to be done.
Set Up a Dedicated Study Space
Trying to work or study with children can sometimes be challenging, especially if they demand your attention more often than not. As soon as you start your MBA, create a peaceful and comfortable study space that allows you to study without distractions. Set up such a space in a quiet part of your home with an ergonomic chair and outline rules for other family members, such as not disturbing you unless it’s an emergency.
If you’re not able to separate yourself from distractions as much as you would like, consider the use of white noise machines, peaceful music, or study sessions when you have the house to yourself.
There’s no denying that juggling work, family, and an MBA requires hard work, patience, and dedication, but it can be done. Rely on the support of your loved ones, carve out a daily routine, and give yourself permission to not be perfect. You might then be on your way to setting yourself up for future career success.
