What do you do if you're struggling to juggle volunteer work and a full-time job while launching your career?

Remember to plan your schedule with open breaks to spend time with family and the volunteer team while completing tasks based on priorities. This approach makes your day more productive. I recently learned about John Maxwell's Key to leveraging the law of priorities, which is called the Pareto Principle or the 80/20 principle, during a leadership degree program. In simple terms, it involves focusing on the 20% of the most important things that will deliver "80% of the return we are looking for," as John Maxwell puts it. Therefore, prioritizing is essential to find time to work, start a business, spend time with family, attend college, and volunteer work.

If you're struggling to juggle volunteer work, a full-time job, and launching your career, prioritizing tasks is crucial. Start by assessing all your commitments and setting clear priorities. Create a schedule that allocates specific time blocks for work, volunteering, and personal activities, ensuring you include rest. Delegate tasks where possible and learn to say no to avoid overcommitting. Look for ways to integrate your career goals with your volunteer work, and regularly review and adjust your schedule to stay aligned with your priorities. By managing your time effectively, you can balance your responsibilities without becoming overwhelmed.

"No" is a good word. Saying "no" to things like "not now," or "I need to spend time with my family," or "I need better time to prepare," or "I am studying" provides healthy responses to keep you focused on your volunteer work. Also, remember that showing up prepared is better than saying yes and showing up disorganized. It's good to volunteer for events that fit your schedule. You'll be better able to serve others than if you try to volunteer at too many events. Good volunteer members and leaders know how to do this well, and their followers respect them.

Managing your time to meet a goal that will help advance your career and enhance your performance is essential. It's better to break up large tasks into small, manageable pieces, rather than trying to tackle everything at once and then feeling overwhelmed and giving up. Instead, increase your pace towards your life's vision by scheduling small time increments to achieve small accomplishments that will logically lead to the finish line.

Seeking support can be immensely helpful in juggling volunteering work and a full-time job. Reach out to colleagues, friends, and family for assistance and advice; their encouragement and practical help can lighten your load. Additionally, communicate with your volunteer organization and employer about your commitments—they may offer flexible schedules or shared responsibilities. Joining a community of volunteers can also provide emotional support and practical tips for managing your time effectively. By seeking support, you can create a network of resources that helps you balance your duties and maintain your well-being.

Allowing yourself some time off volunteering is also okay. Volunteering is not everyone's cup of tea, and it is important to choose the right organisation to dedicate your time and efforts to. Sometimes it may be something completely different to your career path, but if it brings you satisfaction and joy, you should pursue it. Volunteering is all about giving back to the community selflessly, so draw on personal experiences and go where you feel like you are making an authentic impact. Periodically ask yourself if your role is fulfilling, and if not, don't be afraid to take a step back and seek meaning elsewhere.