Juggling it all in a crisis - tips for making it work

We’re all juggling something, whether that’s parenting and running a business, having to work while caring for vulnerable family members in lockdown, or just making sure we’re maintaining the housework, our jobs, and our relationships all while managing our own mental wellbeing.

It’s true that many of us were experiencing this juggle before COVID-19 but the global pandemic has added more to our plates, and working from home - although great in lots of ways - has for many of us exacerbated the feeling of having to do a million things at once. 

My own juggle struggles involve caring for my two small daughters while trying to stay on top of work, a doctorate, and my own mental and physical health during this strange new normal. And like many people, missing family and friends during lockdown just added a whole new emotional layer to deal with. 

There have been some positives to life changing though. I commute far less, which is a bonus. I get to see my family more as I’m home more. I’ve been able to go to the gym with my husband, which I love to do, and haven’t been able to do since before the birth of my oldest child.

So here’s what I’ve learnt over the last six months. It’s OK to feel overwhelmed sometimes, but acceptance, agility and resilience are key to managing the juggle in the long run. Below are some tips for making it all work without feeling swamped.

Get clear on priorities

Take a breath and think about what is most urgent for you to concentrate on right now. What needs to be done as soon as possible and what can you park? I subscribe to the rule of three, a productivity principle that suggests choosing your top three focus points for the day and committing to getting those done - anything more is just a bonus. This will help you prioritise more effectively and really consider the outcomes that are most important. You can also choose your top three focus points for the week, month, and year, which will segment your goals into manageable chunks. And if you end up getting more than three things done - great!

If you’re struggling with priorities you’re not alone. Here’s an Instagram post from June (image above), where I had to massively re-prioritise my life, and make some tough decisions about what to continue and what to drop in my working life.

Separate each task

Doing one thing at a time instead of constantly jumping between several tasks is a great way to be more productive, as you then channel all of your energy into one thing and do a better job, more efficiently. It can also be more satisfying, as it allows you to tick things off as you go. Learning how to switch between each priority is also important. Maybe it’s simply taking a few deep breaths before going from work to the children, booking a virtual catch-up with a good friend between tasks, or forcing yourself to switch off with a coffee or exercise to help refresh you before your next activity. 

But don’t be too rigid - life is messy, and sometimes multitasking is necessary (image above!). Are your kids demanding your attention during a meeting? Has something really urgent come up that suddenly trumps your to-do list? Accepting that you won’t always be able to follow your plan to a T and letting yourself be agile when unexpected circumstances arise will help you be kinder to yourself.

Have a growth mindset

You won’t get things right every time, and some days will feel like a complete disaster, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Every challenge is an opportunity to adapt and grow if you have the right perspective. After a new experience, ask yourself: “What did I learn from this situation?” “Have I gained a new understanding?”. Actively doing this will help you get closer to figuring out what works for you and your routine, and what doesn’t. When you have this “growth mindset”, failure doesn’t have to discourage you or act as confirmation that you can’t do something, but can instead allow you to work on getting better.

Here's a video that can help if you're interested in learning more about developing a growth mindset.

Embrace your emotions

Embracing your feelings will help you weather the ups and downs and tackle hurdles as they come. During times of instability, like the one we’re collectively living in now, it’s normal to swing between emotions quicker than you’re used to due to pressure and an uncertain environment. Being aware of this can help you harness your emotions to make the best decisions. For example, whether you’re anxious or excited in a given moment can completely change how you deal with events or what actions you decide to take. Being in tune with how you’re feeling can help you consciously put off making rash decisions, or it can empower you to take that leap that you’ve been putting off.

Seek support

The word resilience can bring to mind an image of weathering a storm alone - but none of us can do everything all by ourselves. Creating a good support network is actually one of the biggest factors of resilience. It can look like talking to your partner about how you share parenting duties, communicating your unique circumstances to your colleagues and managers so that you can work flexibly as a team, or leaning on friends and family when you need emotional support. If you’re struggling and feel like you don’t have anyone to talk to, professional support like therapy can also be an incredible help. Even if you feel like you’re the one supporting other people - as a caregiver, a parent, or a friend - it’s important to remember that you need people in your network too, so that you’re strong enough to be there for others.

This video may help if you feel like you want to focus on enhancing your resilience.

Tips and advice

I would really like to hear about your juggle experiences. What are your tips for juggling everything in your life during a pandemic?

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Mindset Matters is a series of LinkedIn articles to help you thrive in your career.

Ready to take the next step and build your resilience? Explore videos (coming soon), courses, tips and resources over on Resilience Edge.

For 'behind the scenes' insights, check out my Instagram account: gemma.leigh.roberts.