How I Balance Tech Life, Parenthood, and Learning: My Time Management System
Hello! I’m Min — a DevSecOps enthusiast, AWS Solutions Architect, mom, and lifelong learner based in Japan since 2019.
One of the questions I hear most often is:
“How do you manage everything — tech work, parenting, certifications, and personal growth — without burning out?”
In this post, I’ll walk you through how I organize my time, manage my energy, and stay focused on long-term goals — both in career and in life.
⏳ Wearing Multiple Hats in a Fast-Moving World
Let’s be real — being a full-time professional in tech and raising a family is no easy task.
Here’s what an average day might include:
- Managing cloud environments and solving infrastructure issues
- Introducing Agile workflows into a traditional Waterfall project as a Certified ScrumMaster
- Studying for multiple certifications (currently AWS, PMP, and CISSP!)
- Spending quality time with my son and husband
- Taking care of two energetic Shiba Inus 🐶
- And still finding time to care for my own mental and physical health
🧠 My Mindset: Progress Over Perfection
Before we dive into tactics, here’s my core philosophy:
You don’t have to do everything perfectly — just consistently.
I’ve learned to celebrate small wins: reading a single page, debugging one issue, or reviewing one flashcard.
Self-development isn’t a sprint. It’s a lifestyle.
🧩 My Personal Time Management Formula
Here’s what works best for me — after years of trial and error:
✅ 1. Time Blocking Across Calendars
Each week, I plan both my work and personal calendar using clear blocks:
- Deep Work: For focused coding, learning, or writing
- Shallow Work: Emails, admin, lightweight reviews
- Family Time: Sacred space in the evenings and weekends
- Learning Zone: 1–4 hours daily (depending on energy)
✅ 2. One Big Thing Rule
Every morning, I ask myself:
“What’s the ONE most important task I need to accomplish today?”
That task goes to the top of my list. Everything else is secondary.
✅ 3. Digital Tools That Keep Me Sane
- 🕒 Pomofocus – 25-minute deep focus sessions
- 🗓️ Google Calendar – shared with my family to plan life and study
- 📝 Google Keep – quick brain-dump and idea capturing
👶 Parenting + Tech Life = Embracing Flexibility
As a parent, my schedule needs to bend — not break.
Some real-life tactics that help me:
- Study during nap time or after bedtime
- Automate tasks with scripts and cron jobs
- Batch meetings to reduce context switching
- Use home automation (cleaning robots, smart lights)
- Shop smart: I grocery shop during off-peak weekday hours
📚 How I Learn Without Burning Out
I’m passionate about learning, but I’ve learned not to overdo it.
Here’s my approach:
- Micro-learning: 30-minute sessions even on busy days
- Passive learning: Tech podcasts during walks or drives
- Weekend deep dives: 2–3 focused hours for bigger topics
Currently studying:
- 📌 PMP (Project Management Professional)
- 🔐 CISSP (Cybersecurity track)
- 📘 CompTIA Security+
- ☁️ More AWS certifications
🛡️ Why Self-Development Matters to Me
Staying sharp isn’t just about climbing the career ladder. It’s about growth in every area of life.
Why I invest in self-development:
- 🌱 To be a stronger problem-solver
- 🧠 To build confidence in an ever-evolving tech world
- 👩👦 To be a positive role model for my son
- 🔐 To prepare for future shifts in my career (especially in cybersecurity)
💬 Final Thoughts
Balancing work, parenting, and self-development isn’t easy — but it’s 100% possible with intention, structure, and flexibility.
“Time management isn’t about doing more.
It’s about doing what matters most.”
If you’re a tech parent, lifelong learner, or someone trying to do it all — I see you. You’re not alone.
Let’s connect and grow together: 📫 LinkedIn
✉️ ari.htethtetmin@gmail.com
Thanks for reading — and keep growing! 🚀
— Min