The Day I Went on Strike: A Lesson in Time Management

Early in my marriage, I was determined to be a Superwoman. I had it all figured out—or so I thought. I worked full-time, pursued my doctorate, juggled a social life, and embraced my new roles as wife and stepmom to a lively 6-year-old. One foot was firmly planted in my married life, the other in my single life. It was a balancing act worthy of a circus.

But my new family had high expectations, and I was determined to meet them all. Not only did I shop for the groceries, cook the meals, and serve the plates, but I also attempted to keep the house sparkling and the laundry folded. The only thing I refused to do was yard work and windows. Even a Superwoman has her limits.

Then, one day, I snapped.

I felt overwhelmed, underappreciated, and, frankly, exhausted. That’s when I made a bold declaration: I was going on strike.

Armed with construction paper and a marker, I crafted "on strike" signs and plastered them all over the house—on the fridge, the stove, the washer, and the dryer. My family stared in disbelief. My stepson, seven years old, blinked up at me and asked, "What am I supposed to do? I’m just a kid!"

I told him, "Your dad’s got you covered. He managed before I came along, and he can do it again."

For two or three days, I held firm. My husband, desperate to restore peace, tried to butter me up with apologies and sweet gestures. I relented—what can I say? I’m a sucker for charm. But my strike wasn’t in vain. From then on, my stepson learned to do his own laundry (at eight years old!) and even mow the lawn. My husband? He begrudgingly agreed to wash his own clothes—just his, mind you.

Fast forward to today: My stepson is 24, living on his own, and fully self-sufficient. Sure, I still spoil him now and then—I’m a mom, after all. But I’ve also learned to set boundaries, carve out time for myself, and embrace what really matters.

The moral of the story? Time management isn’t just about fitting everything in—it’s about knowing when to say no and teaching others to share the load. And let me tell you, a happy life truly makes for a happy wife.

Why Time Management Matters: My Journey from Mistakes to Mastery

Time management is the secret to a productive day. But let’s be honest—most people stumble because they don’t plan effectively. I know because I’ve been there.

Back in 1992, I was a paralegal juggling deadlines and responsibilities. Then it happened—a moment that changed everything. I failed to file a personal injury complaint within the two-year statute of limitations. It was a simple mistake with big consequences, and I let it haunt me for years.

But failure isn’t the end of the story—it’s the beginning of a new chapter. Determined to turn things around, I went on to earn my Master of Public Administration and later a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership. My dissertation focused on how time management impacts organizational success and leadership. That’s when everything clicked: effective time management isn’t just a skill—it’s a game-changer.

Today, as the CEO of The Writing Pad, a best-selling author, and the self-proclaimed Time Management Diva, I help leaders and organizations unlock the secrets of time management. My mission is to inspire, encourage, and empower people to take control of their time so they can do more, stress less, and achieve greater success.

Want to learn how to make time work for you? Let’s connect! Follow me on social media at @djohnsonblake and visit my website at deborahjohnsonblake.com. Better yet, book me for your next event, and I’ll share how to transform your team’s time management practices into powerful productivity tools.

Time waits for no one—but with the right techniques, you can make every minute count. Let’s get started!