Written by Hutson & Houck
Everyone has to juggle tasks. Work, home-life, kids, friends. We all wish we had more time to focus on the things that we enjoy like sleeping or pretending to be dead to see if our cats will really eat us. You know, the important things.
Some studies may suggest that breaking goals down to more specific actions works. This is typically the case when dealing with one large goal, but what about when we have a lot on our plate, or a lot of plates? It may seem when hyper focusing on our actions we become more aware of the potential obstacles in our way.
Evaluate Your Current List of Goals
1. Select three priorities.
If you feel like you’re being pulled in all directions, take time to reflect on what matters most to you. You may decide that simpler meal plans are an acceptable tradeoff for having more time to spend writing or with your family.
2. Be realistic about your time limits.
A lot of times we underestimate how long it will take to complete routine tasks. Yes a workout can take around 45 minutes, but you have to add travel time, showering and talking to that hot guy in class! Don’t set yourself unrealistic goals, because you can feel defeated when you don’t reach them!
3. Decline requests gracefully.
Learning to say no graciously is an art form! Its ok to be a little selfish, because at the end of the day, you are the one that has to complete your to do list. A lot of the time we don’t want to be rude, but just keep the “no” short. No need to have to make up a reason, its ok to skip your old coworkers baby shower for some “me time”.
4. Stay up to date.
Our personal and professional objectives shift several times throughout the different stages of our lives. Don’t get too committed to one track or one train of thought. It’s ok to scale down or change your career ambitions if you’ve found greater meaning in your hobbies or other practices.
Juggle the Goals You Want to Keep
1. Find role models.
It’s easy to think other people have these magical ways of juggling goals. Or that tiny mice sneak into their house and clean and cook for them, because how else are they getting all that stuff done?
Surround yourself with people who are successful and get inspired on how they structure their life! More than likely they have a tried and true routine that works for them!
2. Define your success.
Everyone measures success differently! Some people want to cure cancer, I would be happy with folding my clothes, so they don’t end up on the chair in my room. Set a goal that YOU want and work towards accomplishing that. No need to compare yourself to others!
3. Merge projects.
“Work smarter not harder” , “kill two birds with one stone” , the old people who came up with these were on to something! Figure out where you can accomplish a few things at once! Want to start waking up earlier and get healthy? Try working out before work!
4. Resist rushing.
Slow down. Remember to breathe. Chronic stress undermines your performance and success across the board. Don’t miss the details. Allow yourself enough time to look back over a project a few days or weeks after you’ve completed it. Allow yourself the time to step back and look at things with fresh eyes.
5. Segment your time.
Switching between activities keeps your mind fresh. Plan your day by breaking it into broad time slots. Budget an hour to spend on writing a report, followed by a half hour walking through a nearby park. To avoid burnout, try to avoid sticking with an individual task for too long.
6. Master logistics.
Staying organized will help get things done more quickly. Save steps when possible. Calculate the best route for completing your errands in one trip instead of making separate outings. Time is money. Answer emails while waiting at the car wash, voice to text your weekly goals while stuck in traffic, or find a dry cleaner and seamstress in the same building. Whatever you can do to minimize the steps in your day will lead you closer on your path towards success.
7. Work as a team.
Encourage a spirit of community and cooperation. Stop hesitating to ask for help when you need it. Your family and friends often want to be more helpful and a lot of times boring tasks can be enjoyable with friends! As the old saying goes, “It takes a village.” Instead of focusing on being independent, consider how others can help you, and how you can help them.
8. Seek expert help.
Shorten your learning curve by consulting those who already know the ropes and who have gone before you. People are often flattered when considered an expert. You would be surprised how many people may be willing to mentor you or help you understand how to balance your variety of needs.
9. Know your best time of day. You know yourself better than anyone else. We all have a peak time of the day, where we are working at our best, all cylinders firing.
Schedule your most challenging demands for these times. If you’re an early bird, save studying foreign languages for over breakfast. Night owls may want to review their finances after dinner. Pay attention to what works best for you and use it to your advantage.
10. Stay healthy.
Take care of yourself. Be honest, none of us have time to get sick. Protect your ability to pull off everything you want to do in life. Make sure your goals include staying in top physical and mental condition.
Pay attention. Pare down your to do list and coordinate your efforts around the goals that are most important to you. You’ll worry less and get more accomplished now.