Balancing Life and Work: Time Management Tips for Young Professionals
Hello fellow hustlers,
Balancing work, life, friends, fitness, and personal goals often feels like a never-ending game of Tetris. Having worked in sales and management consulting, I know the reality of burnout all too well. It’s not fun, and it's definitely not sustainable. So, let's talk about some time management tips that helped me make the most of my days and can protect you from burning out.
Time Blocking Baby
Time blocking isn’t a new concept, but it’s a game-changer when applied to all aspects of your life, not just work. If you're new to it, time blocking means dedicating specific chunks of time to particular tasks. For example:
9:00am-10:00am - Journalling and meditation
10:00am - 12:00pm - Creative thinking
12:00pm - 12:30pm - Lunch
12:30pm - 1:30pm - Walk and gym
1:30pm - 4:00pm - Collaboration and workshopping
4:00pm - Log off
Why it rocks:
Intentional Time Allocation: Be more deliberate with how you spend your time.
Increased Productivity: Focus better during each block.
Enhanced Work-Life Balance: Allocate time for self-care, socialising, and recharging.
For me, time blocking has been a game-changer, helping me feel more in control, which as a Virgo, is essential. It also calms my anxiety and stress. If you haven’t tried time blocking, give it a go using your favorite calendar app or productivity tool. I can also share a template for my time blocking process if you’d like!
We Only Got 2 Minutes
If it takes 2 minutes do it now. Don’t let small tasks pile up and cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Instead, make a commitment to yourself that when a tasks pops up that you know will take 2 minutes or less you do it immediately. It can replying to a quick email, cleaning up your desk or making your bed.
Embrace Tech
Gen Z, there's no excuse not to use technology to enhance your daily productivity. I use Notion, OneNote, Google Calendar, and Trello to keep track of tasks, goals, and deadlines. Find a tool you enjoy using and stick to it.
A word of caution - set up your tech to help, not hinder, by minimising alerts and notifications. Designate specific times to check apps.
Self-care is a Non-negotiable
I talk a lot about self-care including in another blog post here on my website and that is because it is so important and also so overlooked by young people today.
Following on from tip 1, block out time in your calendar for self-care. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, it can be taking a bath, lighting a nice candle or taking your time with your daily skincare routine.
Do not ignore or de-prioritise self-care.
Say No
This is something I am still trying to get better at. But saying no is a superpower.
It would be great if you could do absolutely everything but the reality is no one can. You need to be intentional with how you spend your time and confidently decline certain requests if they aren’t a priority, will stretch you too thin or will simply tip you over the edge. Saying no can feel like you’re disappointing someone, but in reality people who love you will appreciate you protecting your energy.
Balancing life and work is a journey, not a destination. It’s about finding harmony in your daily grind and enjoying the ride. With these tips, you’re well on your way to mastering time management and living your best life.
Until next time,
💼✨
G