Managing Her Time

Hellen: So, how have you been? It has been a long time since we last caught up.

白：Yeah, I think it's been over a year. Since giving birth to my son Edward, I've found it difficult to manage my time at work and haven't been out socializing much.

Hellen: Don't worry, I understand how you feel. I felt the same when I went back to work after having my daughter Isabella. Back then, I used to miss a lot of deadlines at work.

【选择】-Why hasn't she been out socializing much?  -She had a child.

【选择】-What did she think about her friend's situation? -She understands how she feels.

【填空】It has been a long time since we last caught up.

【听读】It's been for over a year since they last saw each other.

【听读】Since she gave birth to her son, she hasn't had much time to socialize.

【看读】 Since giving birth to my son Edward, I've found it difficult to manage my time at work and haven't been out socializing much.

【词汇】catch up 朋友小聚  （过去式caught up） It has been a long time since we last caught up.

白：Yes, I never used to miss deadlines, but now I miss them all the time. I don't like missing them, but I can't exactly work late as I have to take care of Edward.  How did you call up with work after Isbella was born?

Hellen: Well, it's not as hard as it seems. One thing that helped me was keeping a schedule and setting time blocks for specific tasks. For example, on a Monday I now block up in the morning to work out my reports. And I make sure the afternoons are sure free to call my clients.

【选择】-What helped her manage time after having her daughter?   -Making schedule.

【选择】-Why has she started to miss deadlines?  -She can't work late to finish them.

【填空】 One thing that helped me was keeping a schedule and setting time blocks for specific tasks. 

【跟读】Having a child has made it harder for her to meet deadlines.

【跟读】She schedules time in the morning to work on them. 

【跟读】One thing that helped me was keeping a schedule and setting time blocks for specific tasks. 

白：That's a great idea. But what happens if you need to do some urgent work that was not scheduled?

Hellen: Just remember to be flexible. It's important to be able to change your plan if circumstance change. I also try to avoid as many distractions as possible at work.  I find this allows me to focus on the things that are important.

白：You are right. Putting my phone on silent would definitely help me concentrate. This is all great advice. I'm looking forward to getting back to my old self.

【选择】-What would help her concentrate at work?    -Putting her phone on silent.

【选择】-Why did she need to be flexible at work?  -Sth. urgent may come up.

【填空】 What happens if you need to do some urgent work that was not scheduled?

【跟读】I also try to avoid as many distractions as possible at work.

【看读】I find this allows me to focus on the things that are important.

【看读】 What happens if you need to do some urgent work that was not scheduled?

【词汇】circumstance  （ n. ） 环境；状况；境遇；（尤指）经济状况；命运   （vt.）处于某种情况

Hellen: It won't be exactly the same as before.

白：What do you mean?

Hellen: You have a baby now, so you won't probably spend as much time at work as before. Just concentrate on doing as much as possible and the time you have rather than trying to do everything.

白：Thanks, Hellen, you always make me feel better.

Hellen: That's what friends are for. Just don't leave it a year until we see each other next time.

【选择】-What won't be the same as before?   -Her work.

【填空】Just concentrate on doing as much as possible and the time you have rather than trying to do everything.

【跟读】That's what friends are for.

【看读】You have a baby now, so you won't probably spend as much time at work as before.