The work-life balance of Americans was upended during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center study, 35% of employees are still working from home — five times the amount pre-pandemic. Additionally, research estimates the average workday is up from 8 hours to 9.2 hours, with the line between home and work more blurred than ever. The result? Employee burnout and “the great resignation.” 

To increase consumer knowledge on time management, personal productivity, and establishing a healthy work-life balance, the Family Finance and Resource Management team with the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service developed the curriculum, Time Well Spent: Productivity Skills for Success. The four-lesson workshop series was launched statewide in February 2022, with 76 Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) agents trained to teach the curriculum. Time Well Spent and its accompanying publication series delivers objective-based learning through interactive activities across four lessons: (1) Productivity vs. Procrastination, (2) Organizing Your Time and Workspace, (3) Establishing Priorities and Building Focus, and (4) Work-Life Balance.

Since the program's launch, Year 1 evaluation data has been collected from 239 Kentuckians across 23 counties who have participated in a Time Well Spent: Productivity Skills for Success workshop. As a result of the program, 100% plan to use the techniques learned to enhance their productivity; 99% intend to replace at least one unproductive behavior with a productive one; 93% plan to create personal and professional productivity routines; 100% plan to schedule time to work with minimal interruptions; 93% intend to set at least one SMART goal; 100% plan to practice personal and/or professional self-care; and 100% will use tools from this program to create a healthier work-life balance. 

A sampling of qualitative feedback from participants speaks to the program’s initial success. Participants highlighted the applicability of the material, as well as specific strategies for prioritizing tasks, combating procrastination, and practicing self-care. Below are selected comments demonstrating the impact of the program:

“I love the tips and ideas. It is good for me to know the reasons I procrastinate. I have already started identifying ways to be more productive since I know why I am procrastinating.”

“I learned taking small steps to change your problem is better than no step at all. Also, ask for help.”

“I'm inspired to try out some of these methods to increase productivity!”

“I am motivated to do some tasks now because I have ideas!”

“Relatable information that made me understand myself more and how to grow.”

“I feel like [the Agent] really drove home how my well-being could be made better by making small changes in my work life and personal life. She made it more practical to apply in my daily life.”

“I have more time than a realize. I can get a lot done in 10 minutes.”

“I have many responsibilities between caring for my husband full time, going to school, helping to care for my mother from 2,000 miles away, and managing my own health condition. I gained a lot of helpful insight from this, but I am going to benefit the most from using the Eisenhower Matrix [to prioritize tasks].”

“[The most significant thing I learned is…] Taking time for self-care, whatever it may look like. I realized it’s super important to make you more productive in other areas.”

“This is a class you can take over and benefit each time.”

“Thank you for a reliable lesson that is practical and ready to set up in real life.”

“This is a class that everyone who works can benefit from.”

“I loved this so much! I needed to hear this more than ever today as I have felt like my world is falling apart this morning! This was very effective!”

“I enjoyed this workshop. It shows you how to focus on self-care to help calm and get through things. I don't do this enough.”