Juggling a traditional job while managing a side hustle can feel like a constant balancing act. If you’re anything like me, you’re wearing multiple hats and switching between different types of work all day long. One moment you’re in a meeting, the next you’re handling admin tasks, and then you’re brainstorming content. It can get overwhelming quickly, leading to burnout and a lack of focus.

But here’s the good news: with the right strategy, you can manage your time effectively and maintain balance, even with multiple responsibilities. The key is time blocking and theming your days—a method I’ve found incredibly helpful for staying productive and focused over the years. Here’s how to do it:

1. Theme Your Days with Flexibility to Minimize Mental Switching

One of the best ways to stay productive while juggling multiple roles is by theming your days. This means dedicating specific days or blocks of time to particular tasks, which reduces mental fatigue and allows you to focus deeply on one thing at a time. For example, I might designate:

• Admin Day for emails, scheduling meetings, and behind-the-scenes tasks.
• Meeting Day for client calls, team meetings, and catch-ups with collaborators.
• Content Creation Day for writing, video recording, and research.
• “Flex Day” for catching up on unfinished tasks, sleeping in, enjoying a longer break, or pursuing new ideas.

By theming your days, you can set clear expectations, maximize focus, and avoid the mental exhaustion of constantly switching between different types of work. However, it’s also important to build in flexibility. 

2. Designate Specific Days for Personal and Spiritual Housekeeping

In addition to managing your work tasks, it’s essential to carve out time for personal and spiritual reset. Without these moments of reflection and organization, life outside of work can quickly feel overwhelming and chaotic. By setting aside specific days for personal and spiritual housekeeping, you can create more balance and clarity in your life.

For example, I dedicate certain days to focus on:

• Personal Housekeeping: This is the time I spend tackling life-related tasks like organizing my home, scheduling personal appointments, updating financial records, or catching up on chores I’ve been putting off. By dedicating a day to these responsibilities, I ensure they don’t pile up and create stress throughout the week. Plus, it helps me keep my space clean and organized, which brings peace of mind.
• Spiritual Housekeeping: Sundays, for me, are a sacred time for spiritual reset. I use this day for personal reflection, goal review, and spiritual growth. Whether it’s journaling, or simply taking a moment to express gratitude, this reset helps me recharge for the week ahead. It’s my way of clearing mental clutter and making sure I’m spiritually grounded as I step into a new week.

By dedicating time to both personal housekeeping and spiritual reset, you’ll feel more organized, centered, and ready to take on the challenges of the week, both in your work and in your life.

2. Incorporate Time Blocks with Margin

When you’re juggling multiple roles, time blocking is a game-changer. Rather than keeping your schedule wide open, set specific times for each task or project. This creates structure, but it’s also important to leave margin—extra buffer time between tasks. This allows you to breathe and not feel rushed.

For example, if I have a time block for content creation, I might set aside 1-2 hours in the morning to research and draft content, followed by a break or a reward (like a quick snack or a few minutes on social media). Time blocks with built-in margin help me stay fresh and avoid feeling overwhelmed. I’ve learned that if I don’t allocate enough time, or if I schedule too many things back-to-back, it leads to anxiety, overwhelm, and a drop in performance.

Having that space between blocks gives me the chance to reset, recalibrate, and approach each task with renewed energy and focus. It’s not about grinding through your entire to-do list in one go—it’s about giving yourself time to do each thing well.

6. Use Templates to Streamline Tasks

If your like me, your mind works best when things are categorized, labeled, and anchored. Whether it’s email responses, content calendars, or project workflows, templates save you time and mental energy.

For example, I create templates for recurring tasks like client communication, social media scheduling, and even some emails. This reduces the amount of decision-making I need to do and allows me to work more efficiently. Having a structure in place—like a content creation template or meeting agenda template—ensures I don’t waste time reinventing the wheel every time a task comes up.

Managing multiple hats—whether it’s a full-time job, side hustle, or other responsibilities—can be overwhelming, but with the right strategy, it’s entirely doable. The key is to theme your days and time block effectively, while also giving yourself the flexibility to recharge and reset. By following these simple hacks, you can make sure you’re spending your time in a way that supports both your work and your overall well-being.

Remember, productivity is not just about checking off a long to-do list—it’s about working efficiently, staying focused, and finding balance in your day-to-day life. With the right tools and mindset, you can create a routine that works for you, allowing you to thrive in both your traditional work and/or side hustle.