3 Planning Hacks for the Multi-Passionate Girlies
As multi-passionate people, we tend to have a lot going on. Consider this your little reminder that you can do it all—when you set your intentions and create systems that support both you and your goals.
I too have tons of ideas, projects, and to-do’s swirling around in my head. Historically, organizing and planning is what kept me grounded. Lately, though, I’ve found myself needing to readjust my personal systems to stay on track and actually get things done. What used to work isn’t cutting it anymore, and I’ve been exploring new ways to approach planning.
I’ve always been obsessed with planning, even since the 4th grade (sheesh)! But I’ve learned that even the most thorough agenda can’t always help you get it together. The way I plan now is so different than before because my lifestyle and interests have evolved. For example, back in school, simply jotting down what I needed to do in a planner was enough to keep me on track.
But when that structured routine ended, so did my feeling of control. Grad school and life afterward are nothing like that—there’s no built-in system, no checkpoints. It’s all up to you. *cue the spiraling* These days, writing things down isn’t enough, especially when there’s multiple projects going on at once. I’m still figuring out systems help me stay productive while staying true to my natural flow. In the meantime, here are three organization hacks that I’ve found helpful.
3 Tips for Planning & Staying Organized
1. Use planning methods that work for you (Basic, I know, but hear me out)
Planning is essential—there’s no way around it. But what I’ve realized is that planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. You have to find methods that work for you and your lifestyle.
Do you need a giant planner with daily, weekly, and monthly sections? Or maybe a simple notepad works better for jotting down ideas? Do you prefer setting reminders on your phone and using your calendar for time blocking? Personally, I use a mix: I journal to visualize what I want, time-block tasks, and sometimes use a digital planner instead of a physical one.
Tip: Be realistic. If you’ve got 20 things on your list, don’t try to do them all in one day! That’s the fastest way to feel unproductive. Break your goals into smaller, manageable tasks and tackle them one day at a time.
If writing things down is your thing, grab one of my free digital weekly planner templates. Once you sign up, you’ll have access to all the free planning and journal tools!
2. Cycle Syncing (Yes–we talk about our cycles around here, friend.)
Cycle syncing can be a game-changer when it comes to planning your life. This method involves prioritizing habits and activities around the different phases of your monthly cycle. Since our hormones fluctuate over a 28-35 day period, there are natural highs and lows in how we feel—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
For example, your energy levels (and motivation) will vary throughout your cycle. During certain phases, you might feel like taking on the world, while during others, rest is the best move. Cycle syncing is a great way to dedicate specific times to handle different tasks for your many projects (for example: coming up with new ideas, executing, finalizing, etc). Personally, I plan my most demanding and creative tasks when I’m feeling energetic and really lock in toward the end of my cycle.
What I love most about cycle syncing is that it encourages rest! During the first part of your cycle (the menstrual phase), when your hormone levels are low, it’s a perfect time to reflect on your achievements and rest up before diving back in. This reflection time is also great for deciding what direction to go in next. Maybe you’ve made great progress on one goal and you’re ready to pivot into one of your other interests—resting allows you to take a step back and let the next steps come to you.
I’ll share more about cycle syncing in future posts, so stay tuned!
3. Use AI to Automate (Because if you can’t beat’em, join’em.)
In recent years, AI has become practically unavoidable, and it’s not just for tech companies anymore. I use AI to streamline both my work and personal life. For instance, I use ChatGPT to help me plan meals, create workout routines, and even brainstorm both professional and creative project work.
Think of AI as your personal assistant. It can take care of small, repetitive tasks, freeing up your time for things that require more focus. Once you start using AI tools, there’s really no way you’ll lose!
Curious about how AI can help you? Stay tuned for future posts where I’ll dive deeper into how I use it to keep my life together!
We’ve all got a million things competing for our attention. The best way to keep it all together without burning out or feeling overwhelmed is to create systems that work for you. By taking the time to add a little structure, you’ll get to everything you want to do—one step at a time. Remember, figuring it out may take some time. It may not happen overnight, but we got this!
Did any of these tips resonate with you? Let me know some strategies you use to stay organized!
