Learn the secrets to achieving everything on your week's to-do list
Published: Dec. 22, 2016 at 3:04 a.m. ET
Alessandra Malito
Laura Vanderkam on how to fit everything into 168 hours and why working only part-time isn't always the answer
Being successful at work and present at home can be hard, but not impossible.
20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
The thought of working a full-time job, sleeping properly, eating properly, exercising at all, spending quality time with the family and enjoying leisurely activities can be overwhelming. For many, it may even seem impossible.
After much research, and speaking with professional women who make six-figure salaries, spend time with their kids and also have some down time, author Laura Vanderkam has come away with tips and tricks for women looking to balance a successful career and a wholesome life.
Vanderkam breaks down weekly time logs of busy women into half-hour intervals that include having breakfast with family, answering work emails, commuting to the office, conducting business meetings, helping kids with homework, running (literally) to the post office because of no other time to exercise, volunteering at a food pantry, and yes, even doing laundry.
Her book "I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time" is being released in paperback with a new afterword on Jan. 3 after first appearing as a hardcover in 2015.
See:These jobs offer the best work/life balance
Can Wall Street close this gender gap?
In the book, Vanderkam explores the myths of working part-time to have more free time to spend with family (that doesn't always work out). She also encourages working parents to stay active and attend office events, and to have meaningful experiences with spouses and children that don't always include sitting around the TV (there will be times that works, though, and it's "not evil," she writes). She breaks down how to make life easier, such as cooking ahead of time and turning errands into games with the kids.
Vanderkam will join MarketWatch for a Facebook Live interview Thursday, Dec. 22 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time, and she'll be taking reader questions. Please leave your comments for Vanderkam in the comments below or feel free to email them to me directly: amalito@marketwatch.com.
You can like MarketWatch's Facebook page right here, and Facebook will send you a notification when we're live with Vanderkam.
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Alessandra Malito is a retirement reporter based in New York. She is also a Chartered Financial Consultant. You can follow her on Twitter @malito_ali