Here's how you can effectively juggle multiple deadlines without feeling overwhelmed.

The best way to juggle multiple deadlines is by being organized. In my experience as a leader and someone who became a medical doctor while having two young children, graduating at 24 and with honors, I believe you can do everything, not just everything at once. You first need to list everything that needs to get done, and then rank and prioritize what needs to be done first, second, and third. You need to determine your needs and wants, and then create a plan of action so that you can target each task with excellence and with the specific strategy required all while meeting deadlines. Some leaders can multitask better than others, and this is a combination of nature (genetics) vs. nurture (experience and environment).

Effectively juggling multiple deadlines requires prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance, ensuring you focus on high-impact activities first. Utilize tools like calendars, project management software, and to-do lists to organize and track your progress, breaking down large tasks into manageable steps. Practice regular self-care and time management techniques, such as taking short breaks and setting realistic goals, to maintain productivity and prevent burnout.

Know what matters! By identifying the most important and urgent tasks, focus on your efforts where they were needed most. Categorize your tasks into four quadrants: - urgent and important - important but not urgent - urgent but not important and - neither This clarity allows you to allocate your time more effectively.

I plan my activities on a monthly, weekly and daily basis. Each month - I define the BIG things I want to get done. Usually 10-15. Each week - I set 1-3 smaller tasks needed to get the BIG progressed. Each day - I put the smaller tasks in my diary so I have specific time slots to do them. It works well, and avoids the overwhelm.

Break It Down to Conquer It All Large projects can paralyze us, but there's a simple solution: divide and conquer. Take each mammoth task and slice it into bite-sized chunks. This isn't just about making work manageable; it's about maintaining momentum. Set mini-deadlines for each segment. These act as checkpoints, ensuring steady progress and preventing last-minute panic. As you tick off these smaller goals, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment that fuels further productivity. Rome wasn't built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour. Approach your projects the same way. Small, consistent steps lead to big results.

Break prioritized tasks into smaller, manageable parts, making large projects less daunting and allowing you to track progress more effectively. Set mini deadlines for each part to ensure you're moving forward and not leaving everything to the last minute, helping to identify potential bottlenecks early on and giving you time to adjust plans or seek additional resources.

Creating a WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) used to be a common practice, especially in projects with little to no expectations about innovation. But that practice seems to be fading away, especially in projects with modern, agile methodologies, in a false dichotomy that links the breaking down of tasks to heavy-weight waterfall processes. Plans are not fortune telling, setting in stone a predetermined future, but a living entity that gives a north to the involved talents. In my experience, most successful projects take in consideration their nature and scope (if involves innovation or not) to achieve balance between process and flexibility, with goal focused broken down tasks in the short term, and gradually less detailed in the future.

- Divide large projects into smaller, manageable tasks. - Set mini-deadlines to ensure continuous progress. - Track progress effectively through smaller milestones. - Identify potential bottlenecks early for timely adjustments. - Reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed by tackling tasks incrementally.

Managing multiple deadlines can be daunting, but time blocking is a game-changer. Allocate specific time slots for each task in your calendar, treating them as non-negotiable appointments. Prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, breaking them into manageable chunks. This method ensures focused, uninterrupted work periods, reducing the stress of juggling multiple priorities. Remember to include breaks to recharge. By visually mapping out your day, time blocking enhances productivity, keeps you organized, and helps you stay on top of deadlines without feeling overwhelmed.

Be thoughtful about timings - trying not be too optimistic but also being wary of allocating more time than needed to get to ‘good enough’ - not everything needs to be done to perfection.

Dedicate uninterrupted time to focus on each task, avoiding multitasking, which can diminish the quality of your work and lead to burnout. Allocate specific time blocks to work on tasks, creating a structured schedule that accommodates all your priorities while also allowing for breaks to recharge and stay on track with deadlines.

- Allocate dedicated time blocks for focused work on each task. - Avoid multitasking to maintain work quality and efficiency. - Create a structured schedule to accommodate all priorities. - Include breaks in your schedule to recharge and prevent burnout. - Use time blocking to enhance productivity and stay on track with deadlines.

Know what to delegate: Not every task can be delegated. Focus on delegating tasks that others can handle or learn from, while retaining core responsibilities. Choose the right person: Match tasks with individuals who have the appropriate skills or could benefit from the learning opportunity. Provide clear instructions: Clearly communicate expectations, deadlines, and desired outcomes. Set up regular check-ins to monitor progress without micromanaging. Allow for failure: Be open to new approaches and ideas, which can lead to innovation and employee growth. Provide guidance, not solutions: Offer advice and support rather than taking over the task

- Identify tasks suitable for delegation based on team members' skills. - Empower your team by entrusting them with responsibilities. - Free up your time to focus on tasks requiring your expertise. - Communicate expectations and deadlines clearly to avoid misunderstandings. - Monitor progress without micromanaging to ensure tasks are completed effectively.

Delegation can be challenging, but it gets easier in a culture of Collective Accountability. When everyone is accountable to one another and to tasks, delegation becomes much simpler. Empower team members to be accountable for their key responsibilities and delegate according to those. Also be mindful of ownership and responsibility, as the real opportunity is for team members to take ownership of the work.

Managing multiple deadlines can be daunting, but the key lies in smart delegation. Identify tasks that can be handed off to capable team members, ensuring they have clear instructions and the necessary resources. Trust your team's expertise and empower them to take ownership. By distributing workload strategically, you not only free up your time for critical priorities but also foster a collaborative environment. Remember, effective delegation isn't about offloading work; it's about leveraging collective strengths to achieve optimal results. Delegate wisely, and watch your productivity soar without the overwhelm.

Talk clearly with your team! It's the key to success. Keep everyone in the loop about how things are going. If you see a problem coming, speak up right away. If plans change, let people know fast. Use simple words when you talk. Don't use big words that confuse people. Be honest about good news and bad news. Ask others what they think, too. When you talk clearly, everyone knows what's happening. This stops mix-ups and helps you stay on track.

- Inform team and stakeholders about project statuses regularly. - Address potential issues and timeline changes promptly. - Encourage team members to voice concerns and provide updates. - Maintain transparency to manage expectations and build trust. - Use open communication channels for proactive plan adjustments.

Being able to communicate in a clear, concise and apt manner with your team (1-1 vs group messages, chats vs call, white boarding vs emails, updates on tracking boards) is the hallmark of a high functioning team member. Having this skill would ensure that you do not have to unnecessarily wait on your tasks, set reasonable expectations regarding the timelines during planning meets, the stakeholders are fully aware of your work and time. This would not only help you do your thing without being overwhelmed but also make you an endearing teammate.

Effectively managing multiple deadlines hinges on clear communication. Start by prioritizing tasks and setting realistic deadlines. Clearly convey your workload and timelines to your team and stakeholders. Regular updates prevent misunderstandings and allow for adjustments. Don't hesitate to ask for help or delegate when necessary. Utilize tools like shared calendars and project management apps to keep everyone aligned. By fostering transparency and collaboration, you can manage your deadlines efficiently and reduce the stress of feeling overwhelmed.

Regularly review your progress and adjust your plan if necessary. Reflect on what's working and what needs improvement to refine your approach.

In the midst of multiple deadlines, it's easy to forget to take care of yourself. Self-care is not a luxury...it's a necessity. Taking regular breaks, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that rejuvenate you are essential for maintaining high performance. A well-rested and refreshed mind is far more productive and creative.

Ensure adequate rest, exercise, and relaxation. Good night sleep impacts the day and mood in many ways. Instead of one big break at the end of day, Power of 15-minute walk during lunch to clear your mind is underestimated.

Utilize digital tools: Use project management apps. Set up calendar reminders for important deadlines. Try time-tracking apps to improve productivity. Learn to say "no". To say "no" is about setting boundaries and prioritizing your time and energy. It's an essential skill for maintaining focus on your most important tasks and avoiding burnout.

A leaders' time is always in demand and with that comes multiple deadlines. A really great leader needs to figure out what works for them when it comes to responding to those demands, prioritising their activities, and delegating to others. Some work with lists using pen and paper or their device of choice. Listing out everything that needs to be done and when, then prioritising based on implications if the deadline isn't met. Others may use tasks in something like Outlook. Others yet may ask their 2iC or admin assistant to keep them accountable. Whatever the method, once everything can be seen it is very quick to weed out the noise, delegate (others can be glad of the opportunity to grow), and do.

Regularly review progression and adjust plan as needed. Be flexible and willing to adapt to changes in deadlines or priorities.