No matter who you are or what you do — from a college intern to a CEO at a large company–we are all juggling multiple priorities. As summer winds down, many people find themselves prepping for the busy fall season. While you can’t magically eliminate everything on your to-do list, as amazing as that would be, you can make it feel more manageable. Here are five tips that have helped me stay organized when life gets busy.

1. Rank Your Priorities

Decide your priorities before  every emergency decides them for you. 

When deadlines pile up and your schedule feels overwhelming, it is often tempting to make everything your top priority. While this is an understandable reaction, trying to make everything equally important often leads to unnecessary stress and does not allow you to do your best work.

Instead, take a few minutes at the beginning of a new project, week, or season to identify where your priorities lie. This helps to shift your response from panicked to prepared when those priorities suddenly clash. 

2. Take the Time to Get Ahead

If you know a busy day, week, or month is coming, prepare for it in advance.

Getting ahead doesn’t take away any of your responsibilities, but it can make them feel less overwhelming in the moment. For me that usually means making a detailed to-do list with reminders on my phone, adding every meeting and event to my calendar, and setting reminders for important deadlines.

It can feel counter-intuitive in the moment because your first instinct is to just jump into doing everything or using time off to simply rest. However, investing a few minutes into preparation can save hours of stress later by helping you stay organized and avoid last-minute surprises.

3. Assign Time Limits to Your Tasks

When your to-do list feels endless, estimate how long each task will take and assign it a time limit. 

Choose one task, set a timer and give it your full attention. When the timer goes off, stop and reassess before moving on. 

This approach helps keep you focused on making meaningful progress and prevents multitasking. It also helps you use small pockets of free time more effectively. Instead of spending five minutes switching between projects, you can complete a quick task that moves you forward in your list.

4. Have an Organized System

Organization is about more than just making lists. It is about creating habits you can rely on to help you through your day. 

When life gets busy the small tasks can easily build up or slip through the cracks. Having a consistent system where you check back on tasks helps prevent that from happening. 

Whether it’s reading and clearing your inbox at the end of the day, checking tomorrow’s calendar reminders, or checking a weekly task list each Monday morning, small routines can make a big difference. A dependable system gives you the confidence that important details won’t be forgotten.

5. Make a List

Sometimes the simplest tools are the most effective.

This can also be a part of ranking your priorities, or can be a daily or weekly part of your routine. Whether you prefer a paper planner, a whiteboard, a digital calendar, or reminders on your phone, find a system that works for you and use it consistently. Writing down your tasks clears your mental clutter, helps you stay focused, and makes it much easier to keep track of everything during a busy season. 

Staying organized doesn’t mean you’ll never feel overwhelmed, but having a plan can make even your busiest seasons feel much more manageable. By identifying your priorities, creating reliable systems, and keeping an organized task list, you’ll be better equipped to handle whatever comes your way this fall.

Life is a work in progress.

Reflection is a paramount part of that progress. It breeds opportunity. Reflection allows you to reinvent, reimagine, renew and realign yourself, your relationships, your business. It is cleansing and invigorating.

Thinking about our immediate past allows us to get to the heart of who we are and imagine who we can become.

Reflection is challenging.

To think deeply or carefully about something gives it meaning and purpose. Purpose is powerful.

This year on the Porch we found peace in reimagining our priorities, lessons learned and focusing our energies on the people we love.

We hope our reflections encourage you to take inventory of your own heart and mind as 2022 approaches.

Chief Rocker Julie Porter

I am so blessed to work with a team whose passions intersect with mine. My team members – new and old – bring different perspectives and invaluable ideas. Our clients’ energy and drive to keep moving forward despite all the obstacles they’ve faced this year is invigorating.

In addition, my children are the food that fuels my soul. Nothing brings me joy quite like seeing the excitement on their faces as they enjoy the activities they love.

Oh, and time at the beach. Time at the beach revitalizes me.

Rock Star Vanessa Hickman

On a family trip we learned about lighthouse keepers – their lifestyle, purpose, and job. The number one priority was to “keep a good light” by tending to the wick ensuring it burned as brightly and cleanly as possible. Over the years, this task became easier with electricity, but even then, it was an around-the-clock gig with dire consequences if the light went out.  

My crew applied this to 2021. We were able to help, serve, support and care for friends and family by letting our light shine. So the year has illuminated opportunities to burn a little brighter. And, we will carry that sentiment into the new year and hopefully burn as brightly and cleanly as possible in 2022.

Lil Rock Maria Gregorio

As I look back on my 2021, one reflection trend comes across loud and clear: I need to spend time with people more than I thought.

I’ve always thought of myself as an introverted person, a human turtle if you will. But the personal highlights of my year – taking a trip to Seattle on a whim with my best/oldest college friend, visiting Disney World for the first time with my husband’s family, meeting my Big Brothers Big Sisters mentee for the first time in-person after a year of Zoom meetings – all of them are moments of in-real-life, human contact.

As a result, my 2021 was a year-long reminder that, while I love whiling away my time, leisurely reading a book or watching makeup tutorials on YouTube, I also love and need to be with my favorite people.

Intern Trey Harrup

When I graduated school, all I could think was go, go, go. First, I wanted that dream job. Then, I wanted that financial security. Overall, I wanted the life I envisioned for myself, and I wanted it as fast as I could get it. But good things take time.

But one of the best lessons I have learned this year is that not everything has to be so fast paced. We need to slow down and be present right where we are. No one starts and reaches their max potential without a little time.

Swiss Army Rock Lea Ann Allen

Reflecting on 2021, I see a re-adjustment in my definition of what normal means. This “new normal” for me means work is now something that I do around my life, instead of living my life around my work – as had been the case for my entire career in this creative business. I am learning to try to not define myself by my work. What I do is not who I am. Productivity is not my purpose.

In 2022 I will actively seek out ways to replace “doing” with “being”. I’m so fortunate to be a part of Front Porch Marketing. This company has been ahead of the curve on remote work, and this idea of organizing your work around your life.

Rock Enthusiast Natalie Rosga

For me, 2021 was a year of embracing the chaos. It is still a work in progress. But, isn’t progress, not perfection what we should strive for?

I’m a person who likes structure. I love a plan for the day, a to-do list, and tidiness. None of which fit into your daily lifestyle with little ones! I’m learning to give myself grace and live in the moment. The dishes, laundry, and piles of toys can wait. (At least until they go to bed.) Go outside and swing, play hide-and-seek a million times, build the fort, and make the cookies or the art project that is ultimately going to be a hot mess. They’re only little for a little while, so I’m going to soak up every minute that I can!  

Fellow Rocker Romania Johnson

2021 has been a year of growth and re-invention. This year has forced reflection on values, morals, accountability and technology. I strongly believe and practice that everything happens for a reason. We just need to find the lesson in it all. If you think about it, there’s something to be learned from everything.

I’ve learned that when you stop learning, you stop growing. I’ve faced many challenges over the years. At 50 years of age, I began to lose my sight. I decided to get a degree in something and figure out how to re-invent myself. I had to put in the work because what you put in is what you get out. No shortcuts here.

I’ve also learned that I’m stronger than I thought and I’m capable of doing anything with hard work and determination.

Rock Collector Alison Moreno

This year I found that I was able to see the positive in challenges put in my path. I, too, had to embrace the chaos as our house warm torn apart to repair many (and I mean many) plumbing issues. It was overwhelming.

Though my family didn’t have a place to eat, we had more meals together than in the past. It was fun to eat in strange places – Bedrooms, the yard, etc.

Everything eventually came back together beautifully, and all is at peace in our home (besides the teenagers). The progress continues!

Intern Carson Allen

2021 reflection shows that this year has been a tremendous year of growth for me. I picked up two remote jobs working as an intern at Front Porch Marketing and as a social media manager at a startup. Working at Front Porch has been a blessing, I’ve gained so much experience working with clients. The work feels meaningful and makes me proud to have it on my resume. With every new assignment I feel like I’m breaking down another barrier. I am forever thankful for being a part of the team

Media Rocker Christine Finnegan

2021 was a year of renewal and loss for me. Both of my sons graduated college. As my beloved boys started the next chapters of their lives, I lost my mother. Her voice of reassurance and love are inextricably embedded within me.

Our Reflections Challenge

Surround yourself with those you love. Be present in the present. The gifts you will receive are invaluable.

As you look to 2022, we challenge you to reflect on your priorities, your purpose, and your passions. First, focus on what energizes you. Then do more of that. Be still and be in the moments you have with those you love. After all, there is an abundance of joy that arises from chaos. So embrace it. Most importantly, give yourself grace and go for progress, not perfection.

We wish you peace, love and joy this holiday season.