Juggle is a word you will now identify with easily and, hopefully, with a smile. You have lots to do over the next three months - exams, interviews, meeting with friends and discussing what's going on, your hobbies and maybe some travel too, eh?
You know I juggle on a daily basis - sometimes with an imaginary hectic schedule of a million trivial things that may or may not matter in the long run. That's the fun part with routine. With my penchant for lists, I enjoy writing everything down and checking off what I've accomplished, even if it is just clearing up the kitchen sink.
When a lot of things have to be done, be they routine or special, the trick is to prioritize and then focus on the must-do items. Except sometimes, the not-so-important looks a little more attractive. We all go through that.
Have I ever told you how much you've inspired me by the way you handle your to-do list? Especially with your summer holiday homework. The first thing you did on returning home from school was take a sheet of paper and make a list of everything you had to do, allocating dates for each task and also listing what you needed to buy for projects. You also made sure everything was done and packed in the first 15 days of your 50-day vacation so that you could enjoy the rest of your holidays free from stress. I felt secretly proud of you - I would have been a little more laid back considering the time available.
Juggling, for the most part, is considered more of a knee-jerk reaction and not the best way to manage your life. However, it is unavoidable. I consider it a skill. A balancing act. We all manage multiple roles. Each role comes with its own set of responsibilities. Naturally we strive to do our best and maybe even seek to be perfect. With this comes pressure - the feeling of "too little time and too much to do" - since that 24 hour day does not automatically expand to accommodate everything we want to fit in. The goal is to tackle our to-do lists without stressing ourselves out or reaching that burn-out stage.
How can you do this?
Juggle skilfully!
- Decide what you want to achieve in each role you play and how important it is to you. Compromises are a part of life, so spend some time thinking before you decide so that you can manage whatever comes your way comfortably.
- Determine your expectations from each role or situation
- Be flexible to change
- Be prepared to rework your expectations
- Be motivated in everything you do and do it with passion.
- Do not indulge in negative self-talk.
- Seek help when you need it.
- Take stock of your progress
- Simplify as much as you can
- Learn to recognize and minimize the energy spent on non-essential activities
- Make conscious choices
- Celebrate your victories, big and small
When juggling becomes inevitable, do it joyfully as you journey through life.
The trick to juggling is determining which balls are made of rubber and which ones are made of glass.
And the aim is balance.
Here's something to think about:
Love and hugs, J is for Juggle J is for Jam at LifeHacksForHappiness
J is for Juvenile Diabetes tip at LifeHacksForDiabetes
