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Do You Know How to Juggle?
by Coach Jenni Gaertner
by Coach Jenni Gaertner
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It never fails: every time I try to sit down to do some work, whether it’s
checking the emails that flood my inbox or catching up on some phone
calls, I hear “the call.”
grocery shopping, homework… you know the story.
grocery shopping, homework… you know the story.
For those of us that juggle household tasks, jobs, and children, it can
sometimes seem virtually impossible to find the time to train, let alone the
energy required to do so. But with careful planning and some creative
organization, it CAN be done. Try a few of these suggestions to make the
most of your training program:
Have a training plan: Having a plan that is customized to you and your
life is critical. A training plan adds specificity and focus to your training,
which means your time spent is spent in an efficient manner. Protect your
training time: Treat it as you would treat an appointment for the doctor. Be
purposeful in your workouts by having a training plan constructed with your
goals, time restraints, and strengths/weaknesses in mind. Whether your
plan is laid out by a coach, mentor or yourself, having a plan is essential.
Invest the time required to be organized: take some time at the
beginning of each week, or each day, to organize your time ahead. Invest
in a PDA, Daytimer, or even a notepad to make your lists and track
everything in one place. There is no “right way” to be organized. What
matters is that you find a way that works for you and your family. I, for
instance, rely on the Post-It note. On my kitchen cabinet at the beginning
of each week you’ll find 7 of the sticky wonders lined up with the dates of
the week. When Monday comes, I take my Post-It list off the cabinet on my
way out the door, stick it to my dashboard, and have my list with me for the
rest of the day. Like I said, not rocket science, just what I’ve found works
for me.
Make use of all your time: Use your lunch hour to get the grocery
shopping done (keep a cheap Styrofoam cooler in the car, or use the
breakroom’s fridge for your cold stuff until you can take it home at the end
of the day), get a swim in, or log some running miles. Get your training in
by taking advantage of your commute to and/or from work (this is where
organization is important, too). Pop the kids in the bike trailer or the jogger
stroller and use the added weight to your training advantage. Get creative
with fitting things into corners of your day to minimize wasted opportunities.
Don’t be afraid to get help: Consider hiring a housekeeper. Grab the
young teen down the street to watch the kids for a designated afternoon
each week to ensure you get your time. Network with other moms or
coworkers – chances are, there’s someone in your same situation
wondering how she’s going to get some time without the kids. I have a
friend who is a runner, and enjoys evening runs. So, we worked out a nice
exchange system where she took my kids while I rode, and I took over so
she could get her long run in.
Be clear with your spouse: We all logically know that he can’t read our
minds, but it never fails (at least with me!) that we sometimes expect him to
know what we need and when we need it. Be clear with yourself, and then
with your significant other, about your training plan. Figure out a schedule
that works for both of you as much as possible. A spouse who is included
in your plans, and understands your goals and priorities, is more likely to
be supportive and help you find creative solutions. Keep in mind, as with
everything in a relationship, communication is key.
Stick with easy-to-make meals: Costco’s rotisserie chicken is my best
friend. I’m not a good cook, but I can feed people. Enough said.
Schedule downtime: Downtime is an integral part of your training
regime. Plan some relaxing time for the soak in the tub, the morning
meditation over coffee, or the snuggle on the couch under a warm blanket.
Protect your downtime just as you protect your training time or your other
appointments.
Be flexible: Sometimes, no matter how organized you are, or how
perfectly you’ve scheduled your day or communicated with your spouse,
things come up. You get a call from school that your kiddo has strep
throat. Your boss wants to have a late dinner meeting. Your in-laws are
staying an extra day. Remember that most of us are not getting paid to
train. My kids will remember riding bikes to the beach and sleeping out
under the stars in the backyard. I’m pretty sure they won’t remember that
the sink was continually full of dishes or that the floor didn’t get mopped
more than once a month or so. Likewise, while your training obviously is a
high priority, keep it fun and interesting by allowing yourself to be flexible in
mind and spirit when things out of your control throw a wrench into your
plans.
Remember, no one can do it all. But sometimes the key to keeping all
those balls in the air is being a skilled juggler!
checking the emails that flood my inbox or catching up on some phone
calls, I hear “the call.”
grocery shopping, homework… you know the story.
grocery shopping, homework… you know the story.
For those of us that juggle household tasks, jobs, and children, it can
sometimes seem virtually impossible to find the time to train, let alone the
energy required to do so. But with careful planning and some creative
organization, it CAN be done. Try a few of these suggestions to make the
most of your training program:
Have a training plan: Having a plan that is customized to you and your
life is critical. A training plan adds specificity and focus to your training,
which means your time spent is spent in an efficient manner. Protect your
training time: Treat it as you would treat an appointment for the doctor. Be
purposeful in your workouts by having a training plan constructed with your
goals, time restraints, and strengths/weaknesses in mind. Whether your
plan is laid out by a coach, mentor or yourself, having a plan is essential.
Invest the time required to be organized: take some time at the
beginning of each week, or each day, to organize your time ahead. Invest
in a PDA, Daytimer, or even a notepad to make your lists and track
everything in one place. There is no “right way” to be organized. What
matters is that you find a way that works for you and your family. I, for
instance, rely on the Post-It note. On my kitchen cabinet at the beginning
of each week you’ll find 7 of the sticky wonders lined up with the dates of
the week. When Monday comes, I take my Post-It list off the cabinet on my
way out the door, stick it to my dashboard, and have my list with me for the
rest of the day. Like I said, not rocket science, just what I’ve found works
for me.
Make use of all your time: Use your lunch hour to get the grocery
shopping done (keep a cheap Styrofoam cooler in the car, or use the
breakroom’s fridge for your cold stuff until you can take it home at the end
of the day), get a swim in, or log some running miles. Get your training in
by taking advantage of your commute to and/or from work (this is where
organization is important, too). Pop the kids in the bike trailer or the jogger
stroller and use the added weight to your training advantage. Get creative
with fitting things into corners of your day to minimize wasted opportunities.
Don’t be afraid to get help: Consider hiring a housekeeper. Grab the
young teen down the street to watch the kids for a designated afternoon
each week to ensure you get your time. Network with other moms or
coworkers – chances are, there’s someone in your same situation
wondering how she’s going to get some time without the kids. I have a
friend who is a runner, and enjoys evening runs. So, we worked out a nice
exchange system where she took my kids while I rode, and I took over so
she could get her long run in.
Be clear with your spouse: We all logically know that he can’t read our
minds, but it never fails (at least with me!) that we sometimes expect him to
know what we need and when we need it. Be clear with yourself, and then
with your significant other, about your training plan. Figure out a schedule
that works for both of you as much as possible. A spouse who is included
in your plans, and understands your goals and priorities, is more likely to
be supportive and help you find creative solutions. Keep in mind, as with
everything in a relationship, communication is key.
Stick with easy-to-make meals: Costco’s rotisserie chicken is my best
friend. I’m not a good cook, but I can feed people. Enough said.
Schedule downtime: Downtime is an integral part of your training
regime. Plan some relaxing time for the soak in the tub, the morning
meditation over coffee, or the snuggle on the couch under a warm blanket.
Protect your downtime just as you protect your training time or your other
appointments.
Be flexible: Sometimes, no matter how organized you are, or how
perfectly you’ve scheduled your day or communicated with your spouse,
things come up. You get a call from school that your kiddo has strep
throat. Your boss wants to have a late dinner meeting. Your in-laws are
staying an extra day. Remember that most of us are not getting paid to
train. My kids will remember riding bikes to the beach and sleeping out
under the stars in the backyard. I’m pretty sure they won’t remember that
the sink was continually full of dishes or that the floor didn’t get mopped
more than once a month or so. Likewise, while your training obviously is a
high priority, keep it fun and interesting by allowing yourself to be flexible in
mind and spirit when things out of your control throw a wrench into your
plans.
Remember, no one can do it all. But sometimes the key to keeping all
those balls in the air is being a skilled juggler!
| Jenni Gaertner, MPT, M.Ed. is a cycling and triathlon coach with Wenzel Coaching, and a Physical Therapist with Lakewood Physical Therapy located at 1401 N. Lincoln Way. She and her husband Mike own Vertical Earth, 308 Coeur d’Alene Ave, and are two-time finishers of Ironman: Coeur d’Alene and Canada. Her current passion is for road racing. Juggling two kids and a husband, two jobs, and a small business provides insight into the struggles that many other aspiring athletes with “real life” obligations face. |