the art of doing it all
balance: often elusive, and more often the bar set for you to hit.
integration: my preferred methodology for getting it all done. instead of balancing this and that, you do this and that together. allow me to explain...
multitasking gets a bad rap; it’s challenging to do multiple tasks well simultaneously.
but what about shifting gears at various intervals throughout your day -- switching focus to work on entirely different tasks?
much like in many schools where kids go from class to class and change subject matter as often as hourly, we can apply this segmented structure to our professional lives.
every choice we make is also a decision to not do, or delay, something else. so being honest with ourselves about that tradeoff is key.
it’s part time-management and seeing where efficiencies can be improved like working out in my bedroom on a yoga mat to save time commuting.
or saying ‘no’ to invitations that you only half-heartedly want to do (like catching up with that acquaintance who, without fail, every single time you come home from your outing, you say to yourself ‘i would have preferred to watch netflix’).
and doing an audit of where your time is going in the first place.
how are those choices elevating and supporting your highest values and goals? or not?
where can you marie kondo your calendar?
one note: strike the language ‘i’m too busy’ from your vocabulary.
this is simply code for ‘my priorities are this, not that’.
one strategy i use to keep on top of all of the tasks and to-do’s is having a meticulous calendar and reminder system and by lumping together similar activities to save time.
going to a meeting in one neighborhood? stack your meetings for the day at that location or nearby. is it near the grocery store? swing by while you’re on your next call.
want to get to yoga but also craving some time with your friends? invite them along.
don’t let convention tell you that you can only do one thing well. if you’re capable of switching gears and are excited to take on the challenge, then don’t let fear of failure or other people’s opinions preemptively stop you.
by beginning to make small adjustments to incorporate things you love, you’ll see the value of an integrated approach.
what’s something you’ve been wanting to do but feel ‘too busy’ for? if you want to take cooking lessons, start writing a blog, spending more time with loved ones, or start a business, you can.
instead of keeping these projects in silos, shift the way you look at your activities and think about effective integration.
invite your friends to take that class with you and write the blog when you’re waiting for your next meeting to arrive.
if you aren’t getting much out of an activity or group you're currently spending time on, consider gracefully walking away to make room for other things.