People ask me how could I handle the pressures of putting myself through college and then through graduate schools, while working full-time in responsible positions.

My stock reply: “It was easier than it would have been merely working or going to school.”

I’ve always found that it is a better thing to be doing two tasks, and perhaps more, than simply one at a time. While this flies in the face of conventional wisdom, I’m sure a lot of people who have done the same thing would agree.

Here’s why:

(1) When one activity is thriving, it is much easier to handle a disappointment with the other. You may not get that promotion at work, but you’re racking up credits toward that degree, and that you’ll be able to cash in, later.

(2) You’ll respect yourself for doing it the hard way. It’s great to feel that you’re the hero in your own life, that you’re braving challenges and handling adversity. Managing two or more challenges at a time make you quite a person!

(3) You’re like a diversified investor in the stock market. Instead of loading up on one stock, on one activity, you’re covering yourself if one crashes. The other activity might still be a big winner for you.

(4) You’ll save a lot of time by doing two or more things at once. Why do things sequentially when they can be done simultaneously?

(5) You’ll learn more than the average bears because you’ll have more inputs.

(6) You’ll learn to discipline yourself and to say no to temptations and distractions.

(7) You’ll rehearse the ability to handle pressure and multi-tasking, which will be inevitable as your career proceeds.

So, if you hear that a fresh high school grad needs to support himself, at least partly through working, congratulate him, and assure him, “You’re going to love it!”