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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm an academic, divorced w/ full custody & deal with an illness, mobility issues, and have a long commute.

I have cut down conference travel - huge energy zapper. I'm older so I know people and have built up good will. I'm sure my employer would prefer I give speeches every week, but it is literally impossible.

I publish. I only commute 2 X per week and work at home the other days. I have a babysitter stay late on those days because I have 2.5 after work to get home. I read my kindle app on an iphone or do social media during the commute itself. Answer emails, listen to music, etc. I try to make that time enjoyable and not force work because it makes the commute more of a "treat" that way. (lol) I use a private service and take taxis so that I do not get tired. This costs $$$$$ but it makes what I do feasible.

The other 3 days I have to get everything done in 10 hours. I take my child to school at 8, write/research until 6. I feel bad I am the only one who regularly comes at 6 for pickup, but my schedule is punishing. I can write for about 4 hours, I go through my list for calls, scheduling dr visits, etc. during a lunch break, then read the rest of the day.

Other tools: Google Calendar, my to-do list, Amazon Prime, and a grocery delivery service are essential for my life. We eat very simply, but plan to use our time Sunday evening to prepare healthy things for the week. We eat smoothies, hummus, precut vegetables, microwave frozen vegetables and salmon. My child is a vegetarian so it is very easy to pre-prepare food for dinners and snacks.

I rarely can do a "second shift" after bedtime because I am wiped out.

I don't work much on weekends. I schedule "outings" on Saturday - early am class for child plus museum or day trip or nature outing. Sunday is church and I teach Sunday School. (I have more energy in the morning and it's a way to contribute to that community).

I am the classroom room mother, so I attend all the mid-day events if it is not a teaching day. I volunteer for the PTA, etc. I read a lot of parenting books and research activities, plans, trips well ahead of time.

I have two books coming out this year. I'm in the middle of two huge personal crises. I waste a lot of time on the internet. I have a serious illness.

Yet things get done. I don't watch ANY tv and do not see many movies anymore.

I volunteer and donate to a number of "resistance" organizations.

I like Laura Vanderkam's book - 168 Hours and her other books. I do think it works if I "chunk" time. Every day is not balanced, but I make sure there is time for certain things through the week and over a few months.

I set goals for reading with child, on Friday we have a move/dinner out night, and on Saturday a game night. And the Saturday/Sunday schedule we've kept since toddlerhood so it's like a tradition.

Yet some Sunday afternoons, he's watching videos while I gear up for the week and rest.

You just keep "lifehacking" and you will find a manageable way to do it.[/quote]

You sound amazing. I am so sorry about your personal crises. May your health issues resolve and you feel strong and healthy.[/quote]

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