Hey! Welcome back to DBverse! Today’s article is for the busy bees like me, that want to do everything but do not know how. Let me give you a few tips I use to manage everything on my plate (trust me, it’s a lot!).

I was initially planning to post this article some days ago, but I had some issues with it so I am very sorry that I couldn’t post it! However, I am here now and everything is fixed!

Without wanting to have a very big introduction to this one, it is important to normalize a busy schedule. And I don’t only mean those that we see on social media, associated with fashion or studying. Yes, those exist too! But a typical 9 to 5 with a second job, or studies after it exist too. And it’s fine and so courageous of anyone following this path! Working, learning, cooking, even existing, trust me. Sometimes everything is too much. And it’s more than okay to not have it all figured out. Even if your day looks empty, you don’t need to know every single thing that’s going to happen (you can’t)!

However, there is one thing you can do. And that is to think of ways from which you can maximize your productivity throughout the day. As a student, I still sometimes need to pull all-nighters, or study for days on end without a break. But how do I not burn out? I will tell you. But first of all, before you attack me, the way everyone learns is different. Some people do it in some hours, but I happen to need some more hours!

Let’s try to create a plan to follow through, every single day, to set ourselves up for success.

1. You want to have a nice schedule for your day: Working (or studying) from 9am to 5pm is not your timetable. Of course adjust those times to whatever suits you. And ideal schedule for your day would look like:
   – time you wake up ☀ [duration: 1h] why so long? have that morning routine your way! make that coffee, enjoy the view, stay in bed for a little bit longer. You do not need to rush every time!
   – time to get ready 👚 (or add another habit: for example exercise/stretching) [duration: 15 to 30 minutes]
   – working/studying time [duration: custom]
   – have your meal, cook, relax 🍳 [duration: up to 2h] It’s been a long day and you deserve some rest!
   – task 1 📙 (work or study) [duration: custom]
   – break 🏙 [duration: dependent on the time you work/study for]
   – task 2 and the list goes on, until you’re satisfied for the day!
   Reminder: the duration of these tasks is just a recommendation! Feel free to change it up!

2. To have that nice schedule, you need a to do list ✅: Now here’s the thing. Design your to do list for the week. That does not need to be detailed. All you need to do is write down some basic tasks you need to get done during the week. Maybe that is 5 tasks, 10 or 20 tasks 📃. Depends on how heavy your day/week is.
   
   Here’s the trick though: making a to do list is easy. Listing down everything you need to do, that’s fine. Some things however, are more important than others. Next to each of your tasks for the week, add an importance❗ tag. Distinguish which tags are those you absolutely need to get done for the week. That will make the sorting out to your timetable way easier.
   
   Make sure to separate lengthy tasks from each other. You need to work with a clear mind and definitely not worry about other things, to maximize your focus. (Want to learn how? Keep an eye on my blog this weekend!)
   
   Another important thing is to schedule rest days! I understand that most of us, including myself, do not have the luxury to have such days in a week. However, it is very important to ensure that at least twice a month we give ourselves a well deserved day off, where we do anything except from studying or working. Eat out, have fun, party, or just netflix and chill all day. (not me daydreaming right now).

You with me yet? I’ve got some more tips to share with you on how to make the most out of your day, while also enjoying it. So, keep reading!

3. Include mini rewards in your day: How does this work? Let me tell you. First of all, having a super busy day with millions of tasks to complete, doesn’t exactly sound enjoyable. That is why it is very important to reward yourself in long AND short days! Those rewards can be from very simple to more special things! Let me give you a list.
   Starting off with simple things:
   – A cup of coffee ☕ made with love [the simplest, yet most rewarding of all if you ask me]
   – A mini (or not) snack 🍩 [that can be anything you love and enjoy, from fruits to crisps!]
   – An episode of your favourite series/kdrama/anime (we’re all inclusive here!) ▶
   Note: I do not recommend movies, since they are lengthy, and they take up loads of our time. Schedule a movie night (or series marathon for that matter) on your day off so that you keep yourself on track!
   – Flowers 💐 [I don’t know how, but personally flowers make me appreciate life a little bit more. They add the colour all of us are missing sometimes!]
   – The list goes on with whatever you like!
   Reminder: I didn’t mention this, but scheduling some time off for the week to meet your friends, be with your loved ones or your partner should 100% be in your timetable. If you feel like you cannot make it, make it an appointment. Living life with those who value us the most is the best reward all of us can give to ourselves.
   
4. Keep yourself accountable: While this might seem as the most difficult thing to do, it’s actually pretty simple.
   We all have a planner for everything, don’t we? That might be a messed up calendar, or a very aesthetic and organized journal 🗒 . Or nothing at all. Whatever of these, I want you to do something right now. Take a piece of paper, and separate it into 2 segments. Doesn’t need to be fancy. Write down on the first segment what you accomplished today. On the second segment, what you wanted to get done. And now magic. Compare. Maybe you’ve done it all! Maybe you missed out on some tasks. Whatever the case, it is not important if you got 50 things done, or 0 things done.
   
   What’s important is what you can improve at. Write down what you can do better the next day. Maybe your problem was your time management? Distractions? Tiredness? Whatever that is, note it down. On that note, adjust your timetable accordingly! (Careful: Only do that if you missed on very important tasks).

I believe that this is it for today’s post! Want more tips💡? Then make sure to subscribe here! Knowing what you think about this post helps me grow. Make sure to comment your own tips and your thoughts in the comment section below ⬇!

Tomorrow’s post will focus on focus 🌟 . (I think that sounds ridiculous 😂) Applied not only to students but for working individuals as well, I will be giving you an in-depth analysis on how to focus for a long period of time without burning out while also being the most productive you can be⚡!

On that note, remember. It’s okay if you don’t have it all figured out! You don’t need to follow a perfect schedule everyday to have balance in your life. This is just a recommendation for the majority of people, which are able to work like that (including myself!). What matters the most, is how you feel and how YOU can make the most out of YOUR day YOUR way. It’s your life after all! Be the best version of yourself, FOR yourself.

I’ll see you on the next post, tomorrow afternoon. Until then, I am proud of you! 😊

With lots of love ❤, Evelyn.