How to Juggle


Between my current job, an upcoming wedding, and my quest for a new, closer job, I’ve lately felt myself feeling overwhelmed, like I have my hand in too many different pots, and not not really reaching much in any of them.  So what’s a girl to do?  Reach out to some of her new friends for help!  This post comes from Kari, who I guest posted for a couple of weeks ago.  I knew that she too had many positions and endeavors in life and could possibly hold the key to my mental sanity.  She has some excellent advice to share about keeping things in order when there are so many different things to prioritize!  Take it away, Kari! ;) 



Hey everyone!  It’s Kari from Life. Lived by Kari.! For the longest time I’ve been inspired by celebrity heartthrob, Patrick Dempsey.  Not only is he McDreamy, but I’ve come to discover the man juggles in almost every movie and television show he’s on.  The man has talent.  I imagine that once a producer or director finds out about this talent, they ask him to do it for the camera and he is happy to oblige.  I used to think it was funny and now I’ve come to realize, I do the same thing.
I juggle plates.  However, these plates aren’t the empty ones juggled by McDreamy, they are full of responsibilities, deadlines, and to-do lists.  My plates all have names: medical billing manager, pastor, Etsy shop owner, college student, wedding planner (my own upcoming wedding is enough for that title), blogger, graphic designer, social media consultant and I seem to be adding more daily.  How do I do it?  Very carefully.

I’ve come to realize that I like the juggling, but in order to stay sane in a life of chaos, you have to make peace with it.  So, today I’m going to share with you some strategies for how to juggle and still keep your wits about you.  Sure, there have been times when I feel like losing my mind, but for the most part, I’ve got a pretty good rhythm.

1.       Learn how and when to say, “no.”

This is pretty important.  I used to say yes to everything and then get super stressed out when I have all this pressure to accomplish something I’ve committed to.  However, you know your limits better than anyone else.  So, if for any reason you start to trade a good night’s sleep to be committed to certain opportunities, say no.  You can’t do everything and that’s okay.  The thing is, when people see how well you do what you do, like McDreamy, you’ll start being asked to juggle this thing and that thing.  Juggle what’s comfortable for you and be okay with letting go of the rest.

2.       Give yourself a break.

No matter how much you have to accomplish, always schedule time to veg or do something you enjoy EVERY DAY.  In the evening, I watch at least 30 minutes of television on the couch without interruption.  It’s my way of being able to ignore all the things I need to do just for a little bit.  It feels good to know you get that moment at least once a day.

3.       Make lists.

Lists help me survive.  It also feels really good to be able to cross something off once it’s done.

4.       Keep a schedule.

Work happens from 8am to 5pm for me and then I turn it off.  The evening and weekend is reserved for those other plates I’m juggling.  I also set schedules for the other plates by evening.  For instance, Monday night is the night I do homework for the week.  Then I’m done with homework until the next Monday and can focus on other things.  It works pretty well for me.

5.       Stay organized.
If my apartment is a disaster, I’m not productive.  If I have papers strewn around my desk, I can’t concentrate.  So, keep things tidy and organized and that will remove a lot of the distraction and stress you might feel.  Focus especially on your work space.  If my office is a disaster, nothing gets done and I don’t feel motivated.  Make organization your priority and then get to cracking on the rest of your responsibilities.  I think you’ll find it a ton easier!

If you follow all of these steps and are still feeling overwhelmed, consider letting go of something.  It’s okay to step back and realize things are too chaotic for your comfort.  You are in charge of ensuring your own comfort, so take control of your life and refuse to live every day in anxiety.  Not only is it uncomfortable, it also takes precious time off your life.  Juggle only what feels comfortable and be okay with letting go of the rest.

On the off chance you’d like to keep up with my life of chaos (and how I miraculously seem to make it work), you can follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Bloglovin'.


9 comments

  1. I am all about list making. It keeps me sane. Great post Kari!

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    1. Thanks! Me too! I have lists for just about everything. Without them, I feel a little like I'm drowning in tasks I might not even remember! lol!

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  2. I would not be able to live without lists! Buying a planner is actually on my list of things to do too so I can keep a better schedule of everything going on. Great tips!

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    1. Thanks, Ashley! There are some really awesome list pads out there at places like Francesca's and Pier One. Even Target has them. My favorite right now are the ones that give you the whole week with individual list space underneath each day so I can plot out my week in advance. The other one I like is the "What to Pack" list. I'll be using that tonight as I pack for a trip home for my Bachelorette Party. I'm wanting to find a grocery one as well. I think that would kind of streamline the process so I don't forget anything during my weekly trips for groceries (I hate going more than once a week!).

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  3. Staying organized and making lists are essential for me!! Great advice!

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    1. Thanks, Anna! I really learned the hard way on the staying organized part. I went from working in an office to working from home. Suddenly, if my house was a disaster, I wasn't getting any work done. Lesson learned.

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  4. Great post! Learning to say no is definitely something that I need to learn. I often take on too much and wind up stressed! Lists are always my saving grace!

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    1. Saying no is hard. I found that when people would come to me asking for me to do them a favor, I felt needed. I liked that feeling. I hated the drowning feeling that followed when I said "yes" to a little too much. Then, there were people I'd say yes to, and they'd keep coming back for more when they were pleased with the results. I got tired of feeling so horrible and, thankfully, most people understood the "no."

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