By Bessie King
Graduation has passed and new professionals now face the challenge of balancing work, social activities, relationships and bills. For women, the added stress of marriage and motherhood can make it especially difficult to remember to take time for themselves.
To help women organize their busy lives, Northeastern alumna and author Tyeese Gaines Reid, wrote the “Get A Life Campaign” guide, which includes chapters on scheduling, budget balancing, relaxation and kid-carting tips. Reid visited the NU Bookstore May 4 to promote her book and sign copies for readers at a signing sponsored by the bookstore.
“I realized that I wasn’t the only one who was swamped with the time, money, work and family factors and through blogging and putting information together I made a straight-to-the point guide to help women learn about saving money, making schedules and just enjoying life,” Reid said.
The guide details how to ensure women do not get worn out while trying to manage their activities. Reid identifies this burn out as a “rut” and once in the rut it is hard, but possible, to get out, she said. One of her tips was to realize and accept there is a problem, since a single person cannot do everything. She also wrote that keeping a well-balanced lifestyle is essential.
“Her message is important. She talks about the things you already know but she writes them as reminders and gives tools to use them efficiently,” said Amber Duran, a senior music industry major.
Along with the book Reid also has a website, www.getalifecampaign.com, where readers can join the ‘GAL’ campaign group and receive e-mails on time management, health and wellness and even fashion news.
Reid helped fund the Minority Association of Pre-med Students (MAPS) at Northeastern. She graduated from the university in 2004 with a Master’s degree in Journalism and Bachelor’s degree in African American Studies. She also earned her Doctorate of Medicine from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine and will start training in emergency medicine this summer.
A wife and mother of one, she said she knows what a busy schedule is. In addition to being a writer, Reid is also a doctor and chairman of the Student National Medical Association and she frequently visits Northeastern to help or speak at events.
“Tyeese is a professional woman held in many directions and her main thing with the book is to help other busy women get their lives back.” said Tim Meisel, general manager at the NU bookstore. “Her coming to sign the book was a nice touch to add to graduation [weekend].”
Reid will continue her book promotion tour throughout New England and said she hopes to write similar help books in the future and eventually publish a “Get A Life” series.
“It is important for people to remember that they are not alone,” Reid said. “They need to talk to someone or find a away to get out of the rut and be happy.”
