By: Pauline Hackemann

It's hard when you have to wear many hats. One minute you are in a meeting at work making big decisions, the next you are at home in an apron making dinner and 2 hours later I am in my studio making art or applying for a grant. I admit that it is hard to juggle so many hats, but if you have to, want to, need to for whatever reason, here are some tips. I have juggled a higher education teaching job, a successful art career, yoga practice and workouts, a part time PhD, cooking from scratch 6 days a week and redoing an entire house.

1. Make lists: Just the act of making a list will help alleviate some of the overwhelmed feeling you may have at all the tasks that need to be done. You can make several types of lists under heading son separate pages in a notebook, or put it on a large white board, always in view = whatever works best for you. Make sure your lists are accessible when you need them One list could be for the house, such as shopping, take the dog to the vet, call the doctor about that bill that did not have the correct insurance info on it, etc. Other lists are for your other hats. For me, this is often broken down further into art making ideas, practical things, and grant deadlines.
2. Set aside specific time for the tasks: Create certain times, or days or evenings or week= ends, when you will complete these tasks. Share them with your husband even and explain that I need Saturday afternoon to do xyz on this list so can you take the kids if you have to. If the tasks are regular, try to find a way to make time for these. Get a relative to babysit, or get involved in a mums group that trades babysitting time once a week if money is tight. If there is no Mum's group perhaps think about starting one. This is especially important if your kids are young and not in school yet. Or, get work done while your kids nap. If they don't, consult our reading list in order to set up a routine for them
3. Make your way through the tasks: Check off the items as they get done. This works magic on my stress level every time and helps me realize how much I did get done, instead of worrying about what I still have to do.
4. When you get overwhelmed: Do an activity that helps focus - for example go for a walk, get some fresh air or exercise (you can take baby walking in the stroller or go to a gym with child care) then go back to step one (1). And make that list!
5. Remember that you can only do one thing at a time: Concentrate on one small thing if need be but BEGIN simply starting with something will make you feel better. So even if the list is long, begin one of the tasks and aim to check one thing off your list.
6. Prioritize: Think to yourself if you had to pick the utmost important thing what would it be? Do you REALLY need to check your facebook page or write a long e-mail to a friend? Don't let the internet lead you to procrastinate and stick to the task at hand.
7. Reward yourself: As an incentive, tell yourself, that if you get XYZ task done, you'll allow yourself to upload those pictures onto your photo website or you'll lie down for a nap, or have that cookie, or glass of wine, or call a friend.

8. Create a routine: If you set up a regular chunk of time for specific tasks every week, this will help you get things done. This way you can think to yourself on Monday, that I will do XYZ on my days - Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It will also help you feel less overwhelmed.

9. Lastly: Get organized. Make sure your space and your house is organized, It will help you feel focused. Buy storage items, or a filing cabinet and get rid of clutter. Make sure things are put away file them or shred them make time for this kind of space maintenance and you will feel better and it will help you focus. I believe strongly that surroundings effect work and productivity. This includes your computer. Develop good organizational habits, such as filing items away in your computer's filing system. I like to create files with the year's date and in that file I make new files or if it is one item, I simply put it in there inside my computers disk, not on the desktop where it will add to clutter!

Rome was not built in a day: Remember that success is always the product of years of hard work and perseverance. If you hear of a young music band, you might think they just began, when in fact they have been touring for a decade - so persevere - great success takes great effort, honesty, integrity and a deep seated belief in your ideas.

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