Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - To those with children - PD is VERY difficult

Jan · 11-19-2006, 11:16 PM

Hello all,

I am a new member and I have read lots of PD articles and books over the last 2 years. I have become a member of this and another site today, such great articles and blogs to be found on the internet. Fantastic advice and outlook on life from Steve Pavlina.

I don't feel that I can apply everything that I have read to the extent that I wish too because I have two young children. I am wondering how others who have young children feel about this (doesn't seem to phase Steve Pavlina, pretty sure he has two a bit older than mine!!)?

I have read (and do believe) in the power of focusing completely on one goal at a time and eliminating distractions and also of spending time by oneself to think, plan and decide on one's purpose etc. I cannot do these things...very frustrating. I have been interrupted...now...four times...by my boys as I write this message...now five - anyway - I still have been fairly successful in applying the PD concepts I have learnt. I work full-time and have the children to take care of and yet I have somehow managed to complete 5 professional exams in the last 2 years due to sheer desire to improve and work towards my goal of getting a really good job. However, I am still at my mediocre job, the same boring job I have had for 12, yes 12 years. I want to complete my qualification before I - finally - move on because I know if I leave now I will not complete the qualification because I will not be able to cope with new (more stressful) job and deal with the children plus studying. My present job is fairly low stress ( & low paid!) and I can do some studying in my lunch hours so I am using that to my advantage. My plan is to move after I complete my last 2 exams (mid-year 2007). This is in violation of the PD "rule" to stop putting things off and do it now!

I have spent the entire weekend doing laundry, cleaning up, playing games, feeding, bathing etc. etc. etc. with my boys - nothing has been done towards my career goals. My husband and I are usually exhausted by Sunday evening! During the week I have their homework as well to deal with and I have to leave my workplace early (a benefit of present job) to pick up the children by the deadline.

I will have to basically start studying at work and cram again before my next exam and drive my husband crazy (he will have to mind the boys much more than usual) just like I did to get the last 5 exams passed. Pretty stressful for us all.

Of course I had 8 years or so before we had children when I could have accomplised so much...but I was unaware of PD and I did nothing at all. I regret that and can't believe how much time I wasted.

Have to go now and attend to things. Thanks for letting me vent. By the way...LOVE my adorable boys...just wish I could improve myself more. Guess I will just have to improve slowly. Worried that by the time I finally get on track career-wise I will be OLD and poor and in the meantime it is quite depressing to have a crappy job!

Any thought or opinions?
Thanks, Jan.

11-19-2006, 11:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jan Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 8	To those with children - PD is VERY difficult - agree?? Hello all, I am a new member and I have read lots of PD articles and books over the last 2 years. I have become a member of this and another site today, such great articles and blogs to be found on the internet. Fantastic advice and outlook on life from Steve Pavlina. I don't feel that I can apply everything that I have read to the extent that I wish too because I have two young children. I am wondering how others who have young children feel about this (doesn't seem to phase Steve Pavlina, pretty sure he has two a bit older than mine!!)? I have read (and do believe) in the power of focusing completely on one goal at a time and eliminating distractions and also of spending time by oneself to think, plan and decide on one's purpose etc. I cannot do these things...very frustrating. I have been interrupted...now...four times...by my boys as I write this message...now five - anyway - I still have been fairly successful in applying the PD concepts I have learnt. I work full-time and have the children to take care of and yet I have somehow managed to complete 5 professional exams in the last 2 years due to sheer desire to improve and work towards my goal of getting a really good job. However, I am still at my mediocre job, the same boring job I have had for 12, yes 12 years. I want to complete my qualification before I - finally - move on because I know if I leave now I will not complete the qualification because I will not be able to cope with new (more stressful) job and deal with the children plus studying. My present job is fairly low stress ( & low paid!) and I can do some studying in my lunch hours so I am using that to my advantage. My plan is to move after I complete my last 2 exams (mid-year 2007). This is in violation of the PD "rule" to stop putting things off and do it now! I have spent the entire weekend doing laundry, cleaning up, playing games, feeding, bathing etc. etc. etc. with my boys - nothing has been done towards my career goals. My husband and I are usually exhausted by Sunday evening! During the week I have their homework as well to deal with and I have to leave my workplace early (a benefit of present job) to pick up the children by the deadline. I will have to basically start studying at work and cram again before my next exam and drive my husband crazy (he will have to mind the boys much more than usual) just like I did to get the last 5 exams passed. Pretty stressful for us all. Of course I had 8 years or so before we had children when I could have accomplised so much...but I was unaware of PD and I did nothing at all. I regret that and can't believe how much time I wasted. Have to go now and attend to things. Thanks for letting me vent. By the way...LOVE my adorable boys...just wish I could improve myself more. Guess I will just have to improve slowly. Worried that by the time I finally get on track career-wise I will be OLD and poor and in the meantime it is quite depressing to have a crappy job! Any thought or opinions? Thanks, Jan.