making a bi-costal work schedule work

[Anonymous]

For the next 18 months or so this is my schedule. Monday- normal DC work day. Tuesday- work in DC till 430 pm and then go to airport to catch 650 pm red eye. Get into LA 950. Wed and Thur = LA office days. Thur at 11pm take red eye home. Get into DC around 6 am our time. Friday I don't have to be at work till noon so I come home, see my kids, pack lunches, do school drop off, come back home walk dog/take shower (MAYBE fit in a work out) and get to office a little after lunch time and work my half day. This schedule is wearing me down mainly because for the life of me I can't sleep on the red eye. So I basically have no sleep one night a week and its becoming harder and harder to recover from. ANY tips on sleeping on planes? I have a mask, white noise, a pillow and don't allow myself to look at any devices or anything. Its just becoming so hard for me to even get an hour!! I usually go to bed around 7 pm friday night and try and "catch up" but my kids are young and still not sleeping through the night plus i wasn't to be considerate to DH and take those "night shifts" since he has the middle of the week solo. Another job isn't an option and Im committed to making it work just curious if others have tips.

[Anonymous]

Two ribs aren't enough to be physically able to work safely outside the home, much less on two coasts. Bi-coastal.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried meditating? I can't always remember to do it but when I do it always works.

[Anonymous]

are you in coach?

[Anonymous]

I will definitely look into meditation. Thank you! I am in business class but now a days it doesn't really even seem THAT more "comfortable."

[Anonymous]

That's a terrible situation, unless it's something temporary leading to something like academic tenure, and you only have to do this 20 weeks out of the year for a couple of years? There's really no way to make it better if this is your life every week all year. Sorry. If you're advanced and important enough in your career that they need you to be bicoastal, then there is another job you can get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's a terrible situation, unless it's something temporary leading to something like academic tenure, and you only have to do this 20 weeks out of the year for a couple of years? There's really no way to make it better if this is your life every week all year. Sorry. If you're advanced and important enough in your career that they need you to be bicoastal, then there is another job you can get.

I understand but this is a business I have built up for 8 years. The vendors I got in LA have been a perfect fit otherwise and Ive tried a less face time approach and it doesn't work. I have an 18 month plan to phase this schedule out but this business is my baby and I would love to make it work for my family long term.

[Anonymous]

What is your job? I would NOT be going in to work on Fridays with that schedule. Not at noon, not at ANY time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will definitely look into meditation. Thank you! I am in business class but now a days it doesn't really even seem THAT more "comfortable."

Here's how I do it: I listen to myself breathe. I don't try to change my breathing at all. I just listen to it. Each time I forget and notice I'm thinking about something else, I just go back to listening to myself breathe.

I am one of those people whose minds race. It takes me over an hour to fall asleep at night. When I meditate? Like 20-30 minutes, tops. Also, find a scent that you like (lavender is supposed to make people sleepy) and dab a little under your nose or on your hands if you sleep with your hands near your face. Or if you bring your own pillow, spray it on your pillow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is your job? I would NOT be going in to work on Fridays with that schedule. Not at noon, not at ANY time.

I own a niche supply chain business. I don't feel like it sets a good tone for the boss to be gone every Friday. I like to go in and wrap up my week and have some time with my assistant and wrap up loose ends before the weekend. I occasionally schedule a meeting I can't get to Mon/Tue. Maybe its something that has to go though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is your job? I would NOT be going in to work on Fridays with that schedule. Not at noon, not at ANY time.

I own a niche supply chain business. I don't feel like it sets a good tone for the boss to be gone every Friday. I like to go in and wrap up my week and have some time with my assistant and wrap up loose ends before the weekend. I occasionally schedule a meeting I can't get to Mon/Tue. Maybe its something that has to go though.

You’re going to burn out. It sounds like you can do all of Friday from home. As long as your crew knows that you’re flying cross country twice a week they shouldn’t care but even if they do, so what? You’re the boss and you’re already working to the bone as is.

[Anonymous]

I normally don't suggest a sleeping pill, but perhaps you could discuss it with a doctor.

[Anonymous]

How young are your kids that are not sleeping through the night? I recommend Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.

[Anonymous]

With this schedule, I would say Friday is a work from Home day, and you sleep in and only answer essential emails, etc while doing laundry, etc. from 12-5

[Anonymous]

Even if you fell asleep while waiting for takeoff that’s 4 hours. That’s not good / safe on a weekly level. I agree with don’t work or at least telework on fridays.