Been There. It’s Not Fun.
Hopeless. That’s the word I remember most from when I was drowning in work. No matter how much I did, the pile never got smaller. Delegating? That just meant more meetings, more explaining, more work. And no one really got how busy I was.
If you’re nodding along, trust me—you’re not alone.
Most of us don’t want to spend every waking hour thinking about work. We just want to clock in, do a great job, and then enjoy a relaxing evening at home. But somehow, work has a way of creeping into everything.
Here’s the hard truth: The work will never end. Even if you clear your inbox, knock out a big project, and cross everything off today’s list… tomorrow, there will be more.
But here’s the good news: You don’t have to live in a constant state of overwhelm. There are real, simple ways to take back control. Let’s get into them.
1. Prioritization: Focus on What Actually Matters
Ever feel like everything is important? That’s the fast track to burnout.
Here’s how to flip the script:
- Sort your tasks using the Eisenhower Matrix. You’ve got two categories: urgent and important. Not everything urgent is important. (A last-minute Slack message? Probably urgent. Actually important? Debatable.)
- Pick the highest-impact tasks. If something moves the needle in a big way, it goes to the top of the list.
- Use the Rule of 3. Every morning, pick three things you’ll get done. Just three. If you get through two out of three? That’s still a win.
Real Talk: I once spent months working on a new product, convinced it was the thing that would change my business. Meanwhile, I wasn’t promoting my bestsellers—the ones actually making me money. I had to step back and prioritize. The new product could wait. My business running smoothly? That couldn’t.
2. Time Blocking: Because Multi-Tasking Is a Lie
Time blocking is exactly what it sounds like—dedicating a block of time to one task. Not three. Not five. Just one.
And before you say, “But I’m great at multi-tasking,” let’s be real. You’re just switching between tasks super fast—and probably exhausting yourself in the process.
- Batch similar tasks. Writing? Do all your writing at once. Admin work? Same thing.
- Schedule deep work time. No notifications, no distractions, just focused work.
- Give yourself buffer time. Ever finish one task and immediately jump into another? That’s how burnout happens. Give your brain a sec to breathe.
My go-to tool for this? The Workday Planner. It helps you lay out your tasks in a way that makes sense—so you actually stick to your plan.
3. Task Management: The To-Do List Will Never End, and That’s Okay
The sooner you accept that, the sooner you can stop feeling like you’re always behind.
The trick isn’t about completing your to-do list. It’s about managing it.
Here are some methods worth trying:
✔ The 1-3-5 Rule – A simple method to structure your day with one big task, three medium tasks, and five small tasks.
✔ The Kanban Method – A visual workflow method that helps you track progress by moving tasks through different stages (To Do → In Progress → Done).
✔ The Ivy Lee Method – A classic prioritization technique that helps you focus by listing six tasks, ranking them, and tackling them one at a time.
Also, let’s talk boundaries. Your job is a paycheck, not your entire identity. If your to-do list is bleeding into your personal time, it’s time to set some limits.
4. Managing Distractions: Reclaim Your Focus
I’m an Apple girl. I’ve got the phone, the MacBook, the watch—they all ping, ding, and interrupt me constantly. And if I let them, I’d never get anything done.
Here’s what helps:
🚫 Turn off notifications. Just do it. You don’t need real-time updates on every email.
💬 Batch your communication. Set times to check messages instead of responding all day.
🔕 Use Do Not Disturb. Seriously, it’s life-changing.
⚡ Pro Tip: If you work in an office where people love the “Hey, got a sec?” approach, try this: Keep a notebook open, act super focused, and say, “I’m in the middle of something—can I circle back later?” Works like a charm.
5. Reflection & Adjustment: Make Your System Work for You
Here’s the thing—there’s no one right way to be productive. The best system is the one you actually use.
- Check in with yourself. What’s working? What’s not? Adjust as needed.
- Celebrate wins. No, really. If you finish a big task, acknowledge it.
- Keep tweaking your process. Productivity isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress.
Final Thoughts: Take Back Control
Feeling overwhelmed at work sucks. But the right systems can make a huge difference.
Start small. Pick one thing to try today—maybe it’s the Rule of 3, maybe it’s turning off notifications. Test it out. See how it feels.
And if you’re looking for a planner that makes all of this easier? Check out The Workday Planner. It’s designed to help busy professionals (like you) take back control of their day—without the overwhelm.
Now go take back your day. You’ve got this.
