#MakingTime A Day In the Life of a Scientist Turned Fortune 500 Exec Turned Activist

MakingTime A Day In the Life of a Scientist Turned Fortune 500 Exec Turned Activist Women can do anything but not everything. As the largest erreichbar career community for women, we at Fairygodboss realize that balance is a myth, and that picking what to prioritize on a day-to-day basis isnt always easy.In the MakingTime series, women share with us how, for one day, they chose to spend their most precious resurce time.--WhoDr. Lucinda JacksonWhatToday the author of Just a Girl Growing Up Female and Ambitious, Dr. Jackson began her career as a scientist before becoming an executive at a top oil and gas company and, later, a Peace Corps volunteer and activist.Where Greater San Francisco area--5 a.m.Im up to take an international conference call in my pajamas. Luckily, it stays on time and only goes an hour, so I rush off the phone and start waking up my three boys. Thankfully my husband is here today since hes going into his office later than usual often his two-hour commute requires him to be gone by now.We make koranvers everyone is dressed and all school projects and homework are sitting by the door, as we grab the lunches that he and I packed the night before and head for our cars. This year each boy is at a different public school due to their ages, so my husband takes two of them and I take one for drop-offs. We are grateful for the healthy breakfast programs at their schools.7 a.m.Everyone is dropped off and Im commuting to work, listening to rock and roll on the radio and singing loudly a great release I turn it off after about 20 minutes and start going over my day, what Im going to say in a meeting and practicing the presentation I have that day.730 a.m.I head into my office building on the corporate campus, stopping off at my assistants office to see how the schedule looks for the day. She tells me my 8 a.m. meeting is already in my office and my 9 a.m. has been moved up to 830. Also, one of my direct reports would like five minutes with me sometime during the day and can I squeeze in an employee with a career issue? A new meeting has been scheduled for 5 p.m., will that work? I quickly go through my head that I can call a friend to pick up the boys and be out in time to cheer on my oldest son at his swim meet tonight. Plus, I have to work at the meet, so I cant be late. I tell my assistant okay, writing myself a note to call my husband and my friend about the new schedule.740 a.m.I meet with the person in my office and our meeting runs until 830 when three colleagues show up for the new 830 meeting. That ends early, so I make a quick call to my boss to tell him about a big win my team had last week. I have a meeting until 12 p.m. across campus, so I quickly make the 10-minute walk and arrive on time. We negotiate, strategize, and plan about the environmental, safety, and health issues in the company. Im hoping we end at noon so I can attend my joga class.NoonYay I make it to the gym, tear off my business clothes, and tug into my yoga clothes. I have this hour firmly on my schedule each day, but its still hit and miss. Im relieved to be here and relish the time to stretch and meditate. Ohm...1 p.m.I grab a sandwich at the cafeteria on my way back from the gym to my office. I eat with the phone on mute for a 1 p.m. conference call luckily, its not a video con. My direct report and employee are worked in before the presentation Im giving to a large group of employees at 3 p.m. The presentation goes well, and I confirmed that my friend can pick up the kids and my husband will be home to make dinner, so we are good on that front. I finish up emails and make a few quick phone calls to my sister and best friend to tell them Ill see them this weekend for a hike and lunch.5 p.m.The new 5 p.m. meeting only goes half an hour, so I have a few minutes to regroup at the days end. Back in my office, I go over my checklist that Id made the night before to see what was successfully accomplished. I check off the Must Do Today list first, then move anything I missed to the following day. I look over my longer-range goals to make aya there is progress on those. When I have a final list for tomorrow, I pack up my briefcase with some items Ill finish up at home.6 p.m.Im at my sons swim meet. Hes happy to see me, so Im very glad I made him a priority. Im the stroke and turn judge, so must pay attention but the good part of the job is that Im right at the edge of the schwimmbecken so I can see his backstroke race.8 p.m.We head home from the meet to greet my husband and two younger boys who are already at the table. My husband has cooked a great meal, and everyone chats and eats and talks about the day. We all clean up and clear off the dining table for the kids to finish up their homework. One needs some help with math, so my husband takes that gig and I help another child with a science report.9 p.m.I supervise baths, teeth brushing, and tuck ins for the younger boys while my husband helps our older so n with additional homework. They are finally done at 10 p.m. and my son heads to bed.10 p.m.I spend an hour finishing up company work and plan for the next day. My husband and I convene to go over the schedule and give ourselves assignments on whos going to do what. I decide to attend the school play the next evening and hell go to the two soccer games that start at 5 p.m. We ask about each others work and emotional states, listening and helping each other with any problems. We sigh, ready to relax, then remember we havent packed lunches. Ugh With our last bit of strength, we make sure each of our boys has a decent meal for lunchtime tomorrow.11 p.m.We fall into bed, hold each other tightly, and whisper, I love you so much. I couldnt do this without you. Thank you for our wonderful boys and for being in my life.--Interested in contributing to Fairygodboss MakingTime series? Email infofairygodboss.com with MakingTime in the subject line.