Many of us are pursuing a professional qualification while working and a critical factor of being successful is to balance your career with your learning.
When I started my journey as a Trainee Chartered Accountant in 2003, I knew that I would have to sacrifice some things in order to keep my studies on track, but I hadn’t anticipated how difficult it would be to organise my time efficiently.
Combining lectures, assignment deadlines and revision with a 9-to-5 working day, not to mention the substantial weekend overtime, seems like an incredibly daunting task, but compartmentalising everything into manageable chunks is the first step to a less-hectic looking life.
The juggling act that is organising every aspect of your life is certainly achievable, you just have to know how to prioritise everything around you, a process which my Accounting Exam Accelerator Programme will help you begin.
I find it crucial to share my tips for success based on how I went about this period of both study and work, so here is some of my best advice for anyone looking to delegate their time in a better manner.
1. The 80/20 Rule
The Pareto Principle outlines that 20% of the activities we complete in daily life will affect 80% of the outcome, meaning that the most productive tasks should be the ones you focus on as they give you the best result.
It’s important to prioritise the activities that will give you a positive outcome, ensuring you practise them constantly and more efficiently.
2. Learn To Say ‘No’
Something I’m sure we all struggle with is the use of the word ‘no’ – we’re a nation of people pleasers who love to help each other and have been conditioned to think that ‘no’ is an extremely negative, harsh word, but this isn’t always the case.
Saying no to certain things that would burden you or increase your workload by unrealistic measures is essential, so remember to say no to those extra jobs in work (albeit politely).
3. Practice Mindfulness
Taking a break from your studies or work is imperative, and a great way of bringing your mind back to a calming reality is by practising mindfulness, something you can read more about in my blog How To Deal With Stress When It Comes To Accountancy Exams.
Whether you sit for a couple of minutes during your lunch break or set aside time both morning and night to centre your breathing or recite positive affirmations – my article Change Your Mindset To Ace Your Accountancy Exams covers how to implement the latter into your life.
4. Stick To A Schedule
Having a full-time job and pursuing a professional qualification tests your time management skills to the max., but you can overcome this challenge by developing a schedule that allocates specific time slots to work, study and free time, ensuring that there are no overlaps.
You need to find a schedule that works for you, including the need to get up an hour earlier if you struggle to concentrate in the evenings; understand what will be the most effective for you and trial it to see if that’s the best call to action.
5. Access Support
We cannot achieve our goals if we do not have the support of those who have an impact on our lives, whether that be relatives, friends, employers, partners or otherwise.
By communicating your goals to them, they can become a pillar of support to you, something that can be an incredibly motivating source of success if you begin to doubt yourself or want to quit altogether.
6. Manage Stress
Stress is an inevitable part of life, and by doubling your daily workload you’ll need to be more proactive when it comes to managing your stress levels.
There are various activities you can undertake to manage your stress, including taking regular breaks to recollect your thoughts – the Pomodoro method sees you spend 25 minutes on a task followed by a refreshing 5 minute break, continuing the cycle until you’re finished.
My article How To Deal With Stress When It Comes To Accountancy Exams covers a variety of methods you can implement to reduce your stress levels during your studies, and you can read more specifically about the Pomodoro method in my blog Curb Your Procrastination With The Pomodoro Technique.
7. Stay Determined
When faced with what you think are insurmountable challenges and an excessive workload, it’s easy to give in and give up at the precise moment when things are about to change, so persevering and pushing past the obstacle is your gateway to success.
Staying determined and motivated in itself is a tricky task, but remember to believe in yourself and envision your goals, knowing that you are sure to reach them if you simply continue as you have done previously.
One of the ways in which I’ve stayed determined through both my academic and professional life is taking inspiration from the world around me, and you can read the story of how my family impacted my determination in my blog My Mum: My Inspiration, Your Motivation.