Dear Tim: I'm about to pull my hair out! I'm too busy. Sometimes I'm committed to one thing, but then I have to drop everything and go do something else. How can I find more balance?
--Busy in 'Burque
Dear Busy: First thing's first, come up with a plan of attack. You can't be in two places at once, but you can manage your time. Prioritize! If you have three things to do, decide which is most important, which is still important, but something you can spend less time on, and which obligation you can pass on to someone else. If you do need to leave a meeting or class to do something else, make sure you communicate your needs and leave a list with someone who can advocate for you. Above all, set realistic expectations for yourself and give yourself a break!