How To Make Time for Everything (7 Tips To Balance It All Without Burning Out)

Last Updated January 19, 2025 by Davina Kelly

Feeling overwhelmed by a busy schedule and like there aren’t enough hours in the day? Wondering how to make time for everything without burning out? 

Between your full-time job, side hustles, family and personal responsibilities, it can feel like there’s no way to make it all work without losing your sanity. But it is doable.

With the right mindset, smart planning and systems in place, you can work hard, pursue your passions and still make time for yourself. 

In this post, I’m going to share the strategies I use to balance my full-time job, side hustles and life without running on empty.

Whether you’re trying to grow your career, start a business, or simply stay organised, these tips on how to make time for everything can help you. 

After reading this post, you’ll know how to take control of your time, stay organised and avoid burnout. 

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we will receive a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

If you’re ready to take your time management skills to the next level, check out this productivity masterclass on Skillshare by Ali Abdaal.

It’ll guide you step by step to create a solid plan that works.

You can use my link to try Skillshare FREE for 30 days here. 

How To Make Time for Everything:

1. Realise You Have More Time Than You Think

One of the biggest myths when it comes to balancing everything is that you don’t have enough time.

Trust me, you probably have more time than you realise. 

The trick is figuring out where your time is actually going and how to reclaim it for what matters most. 

Here’s a little exercise to help:

We all have 168 hours in a week. Start by subtracting the time you spend sleeping.

I aim for 8 hours a night, so that’s 56 hours gone which leaves me with 112 hours.

Next, subtract the hours spent at your full-time job. My finance analyst job takes about 40 hours a week which leaves me with 72 hours.

Now, I factor in life admin – such as grocery shopping, cooking, errands, commuting etc so I subtract another 14 hours.

That still leaves 58 hours of free time. 

Even if you’re working more than 40 hours a week, the point is there are pockets of time you can reclaim. 

Now, I’m not saying you need to dedicate all that time to work. Even just 10 hours a week focused on a side hustle or passion project adds up to 40 hours a month. 

That’s basically a full workweek on your side projects and goals. 

2. Shift Your Mindset

Aside from actually finding time, the toughest part of managing a packed schedule is your mindset, not just the clock. 

I had to stop seeing my time as a constraint and start viewing it as an opportunity.

Instead of saying “I’m too busy.” I started asking, “How can I make this work?” 

This mindset shift will change everything and force you to asses how you spend your time.

For example, I stopped binge-watching Netflix after work and used that time for my side hustle.

I also embraced the idea of “done is better than perfect”.

If I waited until I had hours of uninterrupted time to work on something, I’d never get started. Instead, I focus on progress, not perfection. 

When you approach your time with a can-do attitude, you’ll be surprised at how much you can achieve – even in small pockets of time. 

3. Find Your Productivity Sweet Spot

Not all hours are created equal. Have you ever noticed that some parts of the day feel effortless, while others feel hard?

That’s because everyone has natural peaks and dips in their energy levels. 

Some of us are morning people and some of us do our best work at night.

Figuring out when you’re naturally most focused and energised can make a massive difference. 

For me, I’m a morning person. My brain feels sharpest early in the day so I wake up at 6 am most days to work on my projects before starting work. 

This allows me to use my best energy for my goals instead of giving it all to my 9 – 5.

If you’re more of a night owl, you could adjust your schedule by starting work earlier and finishing earlier to free up your evenings to work on your projects.

Once you’ve identified your peak hours, protect that precious time. Use this time for tasks that require focus and creativity.

The rest – like answering emails or running errands – can happen during your less productive hours. 

4. Plan It All Out with a Calendar

Let’s talk about the power of time blocking. If you’re not already using a calendar to map out your days, you’re leaving so much potential on the table. 

Tools like Google Calendar are lifesavers for visualising your week and making sure every hour has a purpose. 

Here’s how I do it: I take my available free time (those 58 hours I found earlier) and allocate it to my side hustles. 

Blogging is my most time-consuming side hustle, so I dedicate about 20 hours a week to it.

The remaining hours go to other projects, like managing my bookkeeping clients, administration, etc. 

I don’t just block off work time, though. I also schedule downtime – yes, I literally block off time to rest and recharge.

If it’s not in the calendar it’s too easy to overlook. 

Here’s how you can do the same:

Break it down: Start by listing out all your commitments: work, side hustles, family time, rest, etc.

Block your time: Assign specific time slots for each activity. For example, Monday evenings might be for creating content and Saturday mornings are for errands. 

Batch similar tasks: Grouping similar tasks together (like emails, brainstorming or errands) saves time and mental energy. 

When you can see everything laid out, it’s easier to stay on track and avoid being overwhelmed. 

Bonus tip: Schedule buffer times for unplanned stuff – because life happens. 

5. Get Organized Like a Pro

When you’re managing a packed schedule, organisation isn’t optional. It’s your best friend.

The more structured you are, the less mental energy you’ll waste trying to figure out what’s next. 

I use Notion to keep my life in order. It’s like my digital notebook where I track everything: schedules, goals, tasks, daily habits and even my workout plan. 

But you don’t need fancy tools to stay organised. A simple notebook or planner works just as well.

I used to use a simple planner like this from Amazon. The key is consistency. 

Break your life into categories – work, side hustles, personal life and make sure nothing slips through the cracks.

When you’re trying to achieve something most people don’t, you need an elevated level of organisation to pull it off. 

Also, prep ahead. Spend Sunday evening planning your week.

Review your goals, set priorities and prep anything you’ll need. Trust me, a little prep goes a long way. 

Turn it into a little date with yourself. I love going to my local cafe, ordering my favourite drink and taking some time to plan out the week ahead.

6. Build a Maintenance Routine

Let’s be real: Working this much can take a toll. That’s why a daily maintenance routine is non-negotiable.

It’s what keeps me from burning out. Think of it like your personal recharge plan. 

For me, this includes things like exercising, journaling, meditating and making time for friends and family. 

I track these habits in Notion, but you can use a habit tracker, a checklist or even just a reminder on your phone.

The point is to make replenishing yourself a non-negotiable part of your day. 

Here’s what you can include in your routine:

Move your body: Exercise is great for energy and stress levels. It doesn’t have to be intense – a 30 minute walk counts.

Fuel your body: Eat foods that nourish you and keep you energised. Meal prepping can save time and money and keep you on track. 

Related: How To Meal Prep on a Budget

Check in with yourself: Whether it’s journaling, meditating or just sitting quietly, take time to reflect and reset. 

Unplug: Give yourself tech-free time to unwind. Read a book, listen to music or just chill. 

When you’re doing something outside of the box like building a business while working full-time – you need to ensure you’re taking time to maintain yourself. 

So, track your habits and stay consistent. Think of it as fuel for your journey. Without it, you’ll run out of steam. 

7. Focus on The Big Picture

When you’re grinding day in and day out, it’s easy to get caught in the hustle and forget why you’re doing it all. 

Stay focused on the big picture – your long-term goals.

Keeping them in sight can be super motivating as it’ll remind you why you’re putting in the work. 

Make it a daily habit to review your goals. You can create a vision board and even set it as your phone screensaver so you see it every day. 

I love this Jim Rohn quote: “If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.”

It’s not just about working hard, it’s about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, working smart and staying consistent.

Remember, this isn’t forever. The sacrifices you’re making now are setting you up for financial freedom, flexibility, and a life you love.

How To Make Time for Everything – Extra Tips for Managing a Crazy Schedule

Automate whatever you can: Whether it’s scheduling your week or using apps to track your finances, automation saves time and brain power. 

Learn to say no: Protect your time like it’s gold. It’s okay to decline invitations or delegate tasks that don’t align with your goals.

Take micro-breaks: A quick 10-minute break between tasks can boost your focus and avoid burnout.

Use the Pomodoro method while working it’ll keep you motivated and include breaks for you.

Celebrate small wins: Every step forward counts. Treat yourself when you hit a milestone – you’ve earned it. 

Check-in regularly: Take time to review your progress and adjust your schedule as needed. Flexibility is key. 

Don’t forget you can try out this productivity masterclass on Skillshare by Ali Abdaal and any other classes FREE for 30 days by clicking here. 

Final Thoughts

Balancing an 80 – 100 hour work week isn’t about cramming as much as possible into every waking moment. 

It’s about being intentional with your time, taking care of yourself and staying focused on your goals. With the right system in place, you can thrive instead of just surviving. 

So, if you’re ready to take control of your time and make progress towards your dreams, follow this plan. Start small and stay consistent, you’ve got this! 

This post was all about how to make time for everything.

Other Posts You May Like:

10 Best Tips To Have a Productive Day and Get More Done

How To Organise Your Life 25 Tips to Boost Your Productivity