Some mornings I wake up and say, I’ve got this, and other times ask, What am I doing? Balancing a full-time job in tech, part-time MBA at Stern, modeling, blogging, startup consulting, and social life at times feels like balancing on a tightrope and never knowing when I will fall off. But despite the chaotic nature of it all, it’s also one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had.
Working with all of this takes a lot more than being a good organizer — it takes flexibility, endurance, and a bit of grace towards myself when things don’t quite go the way I want them to. And let’s be realistic, there are a whole lot of times when I do feel uncertain or unhappy, and that’s fine.
I want to share a rough outline on how I manage my time and continue moving forward, even when it feels like everything is pulling me in a million directions.
1. Embrace Uncertainty and Imperfection
The first thing I’ve learned is that uncertainty is a natural part of the process. There are some days when everything goes smoothly, and I’m like a superhero. But there are also days when things don’t go as planned. I miss a deadline at work, struggle with a class project, or am tired from my side hustle. I’ve learned to just accept that the uncertainty or the dissatisfaction is going to be part of it, especially when you’re taking risks in other areas of your life.
It’s so easy to get caught up in a cycle of “I should be doing more” or “Why am I not satisfied with what I’ve accomplished?” But the thing is, perfection doesn’t exist. We’re all trying our best, and the only thing that really matters is progress.
For instance, with my MBA, there are moments when I have too much to do, and I start questioning whether I’m actually learning something valuable or whether I’m doing it all wrong. But I’ve come to understand that it’s not about being totally satisfied with everything. It’s about consistency.
When those moments of uncertainty hit, I remind myself that it’s alright not to have it together. It’s alright that I can tell myself I can do better. Uncertainty usually leads to growth if you’re willing to embrace it and let yourself have the time to learn from it.
2. Prioritize What Truly Matters, But Let Go of Perfection
Trying to be everything to everyone is a trap that I have fallen into more times than I care to count. I thought that I had to do it all flawlessly, be it writing the ultimate blog post, acing every MBA test, or getting each photo shoot perfect. But I have learned that striving for perfection in everything is not feasible and, honestly, draining.
Instead, I attempt to focus on what is most essential in each phase of my life. For example, when it’s time for exams, my MBA takes the center stage, and I permit myself to set my modeling and blogging aside for a while. Similarly, if I have a large project at the office, I may not blog as often, and that’s perfectly fine. What I’ve learned is that balance doesn’t mean doing everything all at once. It’s about giving the right amount of energy to the right things at the right time.
And the great thing about it: I’ve learned to be content with not being perfect at everything. Some days my blog entry might not be as good as I want it to be, and that’s okay. Some days my photoshoots might not be as fabulous as I want them to be, and that’s okay too. It’s all about persisting, even if I’m not completely happy with what I get.
3. Apply Time-Blocking — But Know When to Adjust
Being busy means time management has to be totally essential. I apply time-blocking heavily to organize my day. With Google Calendar, When2Meet, and Notion, I schedule time for work, learning, content creation, and socializing. Time-blocking works most of the time, but flexibility is key.
There are those days that just don’t work out as planned. Maybe I have some unplanned work emergency, or maybe I’m on fumes mentally and need to reschedule a study session. Adaptability is all part of it. I’ve learned that worrying about it is pointless. Life is going to occur, and you sometimes just have to roll with the punches and do the best you can.
What gets me back on track when everything feels like it’s nuts is to think about the big picture. Okay, today might not have gone exactly as planned, but I remind myself that tomorrow is another opportunity to get going. I commemorate the wins — no matter how small — and trust that things will balance out in the end.
4. Accept That Downtime is Needed — Even When You Feel You Don’t Have Time for It
During the hustle, I once felt that downtime was something I couldn’t do. I felt that if I wasn’t working, learning, or creating content at every moment, then I was wasting time. However, I have realized that breaks are not only important — they are needed.
When I am burned out or mentally foggy, I take a step back. Whether that is a walk around the block, a couple of minutes of exercise, or just watching my favorite TV show, taking a break is how I reboot. Resting is not the productivity nemesis, but a necessity in remaining effective at whatever it is that I am working on.
But here’s where the doubt sometimes creeps in: There are moments when I feel guilty about taking a break. I wonder if I’m falling behind or if I should be working harder. But I’ve learned to remind myself that burnout is far worse than a day or two of rest. By giving myself permission to take time off, I actually return to my work feeling more refreshed and creative.
5. It’s Okay to Be Unsatisfied — As Long As You’re Moving Forward
Let’s talk about that frustrating feeling of discontent. I catch myself wondering if I’m doing enough, if I’m moving as quickly as I’d like, or if I’m even living up to my full potential. There have been moments where I’ve wondered if the effort I’m putting into my MBA, blogging, and professional life is even getting me closer to my ultimate goals.
And guess what? That feeling is entirely normal. It’s fine to be unhappy. Actually, it’s a sign that I am challenging myself to be better. Growth doesn’t occur when we are perfectly happy. It occurs when we feel we need to better, to learn, to do more.
But the truth is this: satisfaction doesn’t always arise from grand achievements. It is usually the small wins — finishing a difficult MBA assignment, achieving a new milestone on my blog, or just getting through a high-stress week — that are most satisfying.
So, when that dissatisfaction makes its presence known, I remind myself to work with it instead. Instead of seeing it as a negative thing, I accept it as a part of what I’m going through. I’m getting where I need to go, no matter that I’m only going one infinitesimally small step at a time. Every step counts.
6. Reflect & Celebrate Your Wins, Big and Small
One of the greatest routines I’ve made is reflecting back on my gains and celebrating my wins — regardless of how tiny or grand they are. When each week concludes, I set aside a time to look over what I have accomplished. All right, so I may not have completed all the things I had on my list, but I look at what I actually did accomplish and give myself credit for it.
This has grounded me more and lessened my feeling of being overwhelmed. Instead of lamenting all the things that went wrong, I’d rather focus on what went right. Small victories count, and highlighting those instances out reminds me to stay motivated and cheerful.
Final Thoughts: Be Kind to Yourself and Keep Moving Forward
At the end of the day, the most important thing I’ve learned about balancing so many hats is this: It’s okay to feel uncertain, unsatisfied, and sometimes overwhelmed. Life doesn’t have to be perfect, and neither do I. What’s important is that I keep showing up — even on the days when I’m not feeling my best.
Balancing all of these things is a work in progress, and I will continue to learn and grow as I go along. If there is one thing that I’ve learned, it is that you don’t have to have it all together yet. Keep going, enjoy the small wins, and be gentle with yourself when things don’t go as planned.
At the end of the day, this journey is about progress, not perfection, and I’m learning to appreciate every step of the way.