Reflection

 

In retrospect, I think that using this matrix has enabled me to prioritize my tasks for the day, and compartmentalize them in my mind so I am able to accomplish the necessary tasks for the day, alott time for myself, and enable myself to be organized for the next day. By prioritizing what needs to be done now, what can be waited upon, what can be delegated, and what can be done later helps me balance my roles and the mulitple hats that I wear throughotu the day-enabling me to become one step closer to achieving a work-life balance. By utilizing this matrix, i am not only able to manage my time efficently, but also set a routine for my day, and work in time to create a support system. Throughout the weeks, I was able to reflect weekly and these were my conlusions:

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Week 1 (Jan 8-15)​

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• I prioritized my tasks, but found this week a bit challenging because the course had just started and I had to fit it int my daily routine

• I was not able to incoporate any "me-time" daily (only got the chance twice that week) because it was a rough week for my little guy, and thus, school work and meal prep had to be done during "me-time"

• In retrospect, I could have delegated some meal prep to my husband, or we could have shared the role, and that could have resulted in some quality time spent with him

• In terms of distractions, I felt that I was playing "catch-up" consistently throughout the day leading me to get distracted easily because I was so focused on the schedule, that I did not leave room for flexibility. Thus, it was my rigidity that disabled me from achieving a good work-life balance this week

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Week 2: (Jan 16-23)

• I prioritized my tasks a bit better this week in the sense that I allowed time for myself and even attended 2 floral classes!

• By using my time wisely, I realized this week that I don't feel like I am racing against the clock-in fact the clock is working with me.

• In terms of achieving a work-life balance, I was able to set a routine where tasks that were necessary were done throughout the earlier part of the day (where I am most productive), and the lesser important tasks (tasks that could be delegated, that could be done when baby is sleeping) were done later throughotu the day

• In retrospect, I feel that this matrix has enabled me to feel at peace with my tasks: I know what I have to do for the day, and I am getting it done. This, in return, is developing my self-efficacy, and motivating me to continue balancing everything to the best of my ability!

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Week 3: (Jan 24-Feb 7)

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• This was the week where I learned about motivation and how imperative it was for me to stay motivated. It was during this week, where I struggled with the routines that I had set for the day because I was feeling drained and felt that I was becoming stagnant with my roles. I then turned to self-assessment to help me stay focused. I partook in positive self-talk that focused on my performance and not necessarily me as a person. Self-regulation includes the control over my cognition and my motivation, and thus this week, I took it upon myself to develop a feedback loop. It was in the reading, titled, ("Critical Role of Feedback", ...) where I realized that by setting learning goals for the day (Asking myself: what am I trying to achieve today?), I was able to stay motivated, and continue with my prioritization. By setting criteria for myself: 

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I will delegate some tasks when needing help

I will learn how to set a routine that is workable, and flexible

I will take time throughout the day to reflect on what has worked, and what can be altered if unforseen circumstances come up

I will alott some "me time" as a reward for managing my time efficiently throughout the time

I will learn how to stay motivated throughout the day: engage in some "positive self-talk"

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Week 4: (Feb 8-Feb 22)

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• This week, I learned about the importance of self-efficacy and self-awareness as it was the week before I returned to work after a year off!

• For me, the reading "Becoming a self-regulated learner" by Zimmerman, truly came into practice this week, as I was trying to find a balance between trying not to be overly optimistic nor overly negative so I stay motivated and work towards achieving my goal. This week, I was preparing mentally for going back to work, and I was becoming overwhelmed and I needed to develop self-regulation strategies that enabled me to take "corrective action" if I become aware of a task that I am unable to achieve. Thus, I needed to become more self-aware of becoming my limits. I was too busy worrying about "what will happen once I start work" thus being in a negative time-frame, that I needed to focus more on "what I can do to do my best everyday". Thus, I needed to reframe my mind-set, something that is crucial in developing self-efficacy. 

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Week 5: (Feb 22-March 1)

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• This week was a long time coming, as I was preparing for this week all year long: time to go back to work:(

• In retrospect, I handled it well. Willpower  is a word that comes to mind as this hectic week ends. It reminds me of the podcast we listened to in module 2 about our willpower being a muscle and that we need to continuously work to help us believe that we can achieve. Thus, self-regulation consists of consists of having intentional control over your thoughts and your behaviour, and this week I realized that I need to develop strategies to increase my willpower. These are some ideas I thought of:

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Remind myself about why this goal  of achieving a work-life balance is important to reach

Remind myself about how this goal affects my loved one: husband, son, extended family, and of course my students

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Week 6: (March 2-11)

• This week was incredible. I thought that I really was able to get a good grasp on things. I feel that I was getting into a new, amnageable routine of handling all my responsibilities, and even having the opportunity to go out with some girlfriends, and watch a movie with my husband! I think that the self-regulation strategies of increasing my motivation, avoiding stagnation, partaking in self-assessment, and strengthening my willpower have lead me to the stage that I am right now: content, satisfied, and proud of myself for achieving my goal.

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Week 7: (March 7-16)

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• As I am writing my reflection right now, I'm asking myself a critical question: how do I know that I have achieved my goal of creating a work-life balance? I think that the best way to answer this is by looking at my progress the last few weeks. I have developed as a person in the sense that I have been able to gain some new skills, I have been given the opportunity spend some time in the learning zone and due to that, I have learned some life-long self-regulation skills such as prioritizing, developing a routine that enables me build some "me-time" in, self-assess, build a network of individuals that have either supported me professionally or personally, and fulfill my responsibilities.

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