We get it—you’re driven, ambitious, and bursting with goals. You want to crush it at work, spend quality time with loved ones, stay fit, eat right, sleep well, pick up a hobby, and still make time for yourself. That’s not all! You also want to learn how to be good at everything you want to do! Sounds like a dream, right? But here’s the catch: just like everyone else, you’ve only got 24 hours in a day! So how do you fit it all in without feeling like you’re constantly running out of time?
Balancing life’s many demands can feel like walking a tightrope, especially when you’re passionate about achieving so much. Is it really possible to do everything without dropping the ball in one area or another? Here’s the good news: you can do everything—with the right strategies. In this article, we’ll share practical tips to help you prioritise, make time for yourself, and stay focused on the things you want to do. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!
Shift Your Mindset
Before you can transform your day-to-day routine, you need to tackle the way you think about your time. Trying to figure out how to make time for everything in 24 hours can feel overwhelming. The sheer number of things on your to-do list might make you want to throw in the towel before you even start. Stop waiting for the “perfect” moment because it doesn’t exist! You have to intentionally carve out time for the things that matter to you. Progress beats perfection every single time. Instead of obsessing over how to be good at everything, aim for small wins every day. Whether it’s 10 minutes of exercise, a quick check-in with a loved one, or jotting down your thoughts in a journal—each step forward counts. Shifting your mindset from “all-or-nothing” to “step-by-step” is what will truly help you thrive.
Identify Your Priorities
There’s a lot you want to accomplish, but trying to do everything at once is not realistic. The key to making it all work is knowing what truly matters right now. When you identify your priorities, you’ll have a clearer picture of what deserves your attention immediately and what can wait for later. One of the best tools to help with this is Stephen Covey’s Time Management Matrix. This method lets you categorise tasks by urgency and importance, so you can focus on what’s truly important. Tackle the important and urgent things first. Important but not urgent? Schedule it. By organizing your tasks this way, you can work smarter, and avoid wasting time on things that don’t matter as much.
Assess Time Requirements
Squeezing everything you want to do in 24 hours is an eternal struggle. The secret to winning this battle? Smart time management. Break down your day into chunks and figure out how much time each activity will realistically take. Let’s say your goals include exercising, cooking a meal, journaling, and meditating. Estimate how long each activity will take. Remember to account for essentials like eating, sleeping, and yes, downtime. Once you’ve mapped this out, you’ll have a better sense of how to make time for the different things you want to do.
It’s easy to underestimate and cram too much into one day, which can lead to unnecessary stress. Give yourself buffer time to handle the unexpected—because life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them. With a clear sense of your priorities and an honest look at your time, you’ll be ready to create a schedule that feels doable!
Create a Structured Plan
Now that you’ve nailed down your priorities and figured out how much time everything takes, it’s time to bring it all together with a structured plan. Start by breaking your goals into baby steps. This not only makes big goals feel less intimidating but also gives you small, achievable wins along the way. Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, focus on one or two key goals that matter most to you right now. Build habits around these goals first, and once they’re second nature, gradually layer in others.
For instance, if you’ve decided to wake up earlier for extra “me time,” build habits to support this, like heading to bed 30 minutes earlier or cutting screen time at night. Once your morning routine feels solid, you can begin weaving in other goals like exercising or journaling.
Manage Energy Levels
Your time isn’t the only thing that matters- your energy is equally important. Every task you tackle throughout the day drains your energy, so you’ve got to spend it wisely.
Start by identifying which tasks energize you and which ones sap your energy. If something drains you unnecessarily, consider cutting back on it or delegating it to someone else. For example, if endless emails leave you exhausted, batch them at a specific time rather than letting them derail your entire day.
Energy management starts with good habits. Have nutritious meals, stay hydrated, and don’t skip movement. Also, everyone has their “power hours” when they feel most alert and productive. For some, it’s early in the morning; for others, the creative juices flow best in the evening. Identify your high-energy periods and schedule your most important tasks during those times. Save low-energy time for lighter activities, like organizing files or catching up on a hobby. By syncing your tasks with your energy flow and maintaining healthy habits, you’ll not only maximize your productivity but also avoid feeling drained.
Schedule and Commit
Having a plan is great, but it’s also important to stick to it. Start by creating a schedule that works for you. Lay out your activities and assign specific time slots to them. Once your schedule is ready, make a commitment to yourself to stick to it. Consistency is key, and research suggests it takes about 21 days to turn a new activity into a habit. The first few days might feel like a challenge, but once these activities become part of your daily routine, they’ll start to feel as natural as brushing your teeth.
Minimize Distractions
Distractions are sneaky time thieves of our modern lives. If you want to make the most of your day, you’ll need to identify what’s pulling your attention away. Is it endless social media scrolling? A constant stream of notifications?
Pay attention to when and why you get distracted. Maybe it’s boredom, or perhaps you’re procrastinating a task that feels too daunting. Once you know your triggers, you can tackle them head-on.
Use time-blocking apps or your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” to block out distractions. You can also put your phone in another room while you work.
Set up a workspace that keeps you focused. Clear the clutter, put on some calming background music, and let the people around you know when you need uninterrupted time. When you minimize distractions, you’ll find it easier to stay in the zone and give your full attention to whatever task you’re tackling.
Practice Single-Tasking
Trying to do everything at once is like juggling while riding a unicycle: impressive in theory, but messy in practice. The truth is that single-tasking is the secret to getting more done and doing it well.
Imagine this: you’re trying to learn a new language, cooking dinner, and texting your friend all at the same time. It feels productive, but in reality, none of those tasks are getting your full attention. The result? You burn the food, forget half the vocabulary, and your friend thinks you’re ignoring them. When you focus on one task at a time, your brain gets to work at full capacity, your productivity skyrockets, and you actually start enjoying what you’re doing. So, the next time you’re tempted to multitask, remind yourself: that quality over quantity wins every time.
Allow Flexibility and Rest
It’s amazing to have big goals and the motivation to chase them, but let’s not forget the golden rule: rest is productive too. Life is unpredictable, and even the best-laid plans can get thrown off track. That’s where flexibility comes in. Leave a little wiggle room in your schedule for the unexpected. Being adaptable doesn’t mean abandoning your goals; it means adjusting with grace when things don’t go as planned.
And remember, the rest is your reset button. Whether it’s a quick power nap, an hour to read a book, or an evening of Netflix, giving yourself space to recharge ensures you have the energy to tackle whatever’s next.
If you’re ready to master the art of time management and make time for yourself, SoulSensei has your back! Our experts can help you design a day that works for you—packed with purpose but balanced with ease. Ready to own your time? Let’s get started!
Sources
- Blone, Vishaka. “How to Make Time for Everything without Getting Stressed.” Vishaka Blone, Vishaka Blone, 17 Jan. 2022.
- Jema. “How to Have Time to Do Everything.” Half The Clothes, Half The Clothes.
