How to "Do It All" Without Sacrifice: My Realistic Guide to Time Management
My approach to realistic, balanced productivity.
Here’s my five-step system for doing it all without the sacrifices that often come with “hustle culture.”
1. Define Your Non-Negotiables
First and foremost, identify what you’re not willing to sacrifice. For me, these non-negotiables fall into three categories: health, connection, and joy. These are the pillars that keep me balanced and energized.
Health: Getting enough sleep is a priority for me. In college, I was lucky to get three to five hours of sleep each night, which left me exhausted and depleted. Now, I aim for seven to eight hours every night, even if it means an early bedtime. This habit keeps my energy up and my body healthy.
Connection: Since moving in with my partner, I’ve realized just how fulfilling it is to prioritize relationships. We make time to have dinner together every night, and on weekends, we’ll have a “pastry run” or spend a day doing our own things but in the same space. Staying connected with friends is another priority. I aim to spend time with them once a week, whether it’s over brunch or a long walk. These connections feed my happiness and ground me through the week.
Joy: I used to believe that every activity needed a purpose or a goal, but now, I’ve rediscovered the value of having hobbies just for fun. For me, this means reading novels, exploring historical fiction, and riding horses. I used to ride professionally, but now I do it purely for enjoyment. I make it a point to schedule time for these joyful activities because they remind me that life is about more than productivity.
My non-negotiables include:
1. Time to read fiction (I love fantasy, historical fiction, and a bit of romance)
2. Time to move my body (this includes pilates classes, riding horses, etc)
3. Spending quality time with my friends and family
2. Embrace "Hobbiting" Time
Inspired by the carefree lifestyle of hobbits (yes, from The Lord of the Rings), “hobing” time is my dedicated, unstructured space in the week for unwinding. This is my time to be creative, relax, and enjoy the moment. Whether it’s cooking a good meal, learning a new craft, or hanging out with friends, I make sure to have time that’s just for me.
One way I nurture this hobbiting time is by exploring new skills without any pressure. Right now, I’m having fun with illustration classes, rediscovering the joy of sketching without any goal beyond my own enjoyment, and even taking up knitting again after a 12 year hiatus.
5. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
This last one is key. I’ve muted accounts and unfollowed creators who make me feel like I’m not doing enough. If you’re constantly comparing yourself to others, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters to you.
I want my channel and content to encourage, not pressure you. You don’t need to be juggling a PhD, a job, and a side hustle all at once, and if my content ever makes you feel that way, please remember that it’s okay to do less. As long as you’re happy, healthy, and fulfilled, you’re doing great.
Final Thoughts
Finding a realistic approach to productivity isn’t about sacrificing everything you love; it’s about prioritizing what truly matters to you. By defining your non-negotiables, creating time to just “be,” reducing multitasking, lowering your expectations on hard days, and avoiding comparison, you can create a routine that feels balanced and fulfilling.
I hope these tips help you find a sustainable rhythm in your life. Remember, you don’t have to do it all perfectly; you just have to do what works for you.
Thank you for reading, and remember to protect your joy, health, and connections as you pursue your dreams.
Horses and time in nature is crucial to my mental health and wellbeing.
3. Limit Multitasking and Context Switching
One major productivity killer is jumping between tasks, especially those that require different kinds of focus. When I’m constantly switching between dissertation work, job tasks, and content creation, it drains my mental energy fast. Here are two strategies that help me stay focused:
Time Blocking: Instead of rigid time blocks, I now extend them to allow for flexibility. This way, if a task takes longer than expected, I’m not scrambling to switch contexts quickly.
Priority Options: Some days, I’m just not in the mood to work on a specific task. I build flexibility into my week by setting “priority options.” For example, I work on my dissertation four times a week, but I allow one day to focus on a different task if I need a mental break. Having options makes my schedule feel less rigid and helps me manage energy levels.
When I need an extra push to finish something, I lean on community support. Joining co-working sessions with friends or using body doubling techniques has been a lifesaver for my focus.
4. Lower the Bar When Needed
Some days, showing up is enough. I’ve learned that lowering the bar on certain tasks can make a big difference in my overall energy and productivity. Instead of aiming for a perfect outcome, I focus on making consistent progress—even if that’s just two sentences in a writing session or a 20-minute check-in with my project.
Another thing I remind myself: Just because I can doesn’t mean I should. There are many things I could do, but I’ve learned to say no and set boundaries so I can invest time in things that genuinely matter, like hobbies, relationships, and self-care.
