After almost a decade in the corporate world, I learned what it takes to prioritise yourself when work gets crazy. In this post, I’ll discuss methods, tips, and tricks that work for me and might also be helpful for you!
Let’s be real, adulting is hard. Between meetings, emails, deadlines, and pretending to have your life together, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. In a world where everyone seems to be sprinting to the finish line, prioritizing yourself can feel like trying to fold a fitted sheet—possible, but tricky. But here’s the thing: you absolutely have to prioritise yourself.
As a millennial who’s probably been guilted into signing up for more side hustles than there are days in the week, I get it. The grind is relentless, but if you don’t learn how to prioritise yourself, you’ll end up in an existential crisis somewhere between your 6th cup of coffee and a PowerPoint presentation on quarterly targets. So, how do we survive this? Let’s dive into some no-nonsense, slightly humorous, but totally real strategies to help you keep your sanity when work gets bananas.
1. Acknowledge That You Are Not a Robot (Not Yet Anyway)
First things first, let’s kill this myth that we have to be “on” all the time. Newsflash: you are not an all-knowing, all-seeing productivity machine. You are a human with limits, and guess what? That’s a good thing. I know, I know—we live in a culture where people brag about pulling 14-hour workdays as if it’s a badge of honour. But if you’re constantly burning the candle at both ends, your productivity, mental health, and general well-being will nosedive faster than you can say, “I need a nap.”
Instead of feeling guilty for taking a break, embrace it. It’s called self-care, and it’s the most non-negotiable meeting on your calendar. The next time you’re tempted to power through yet another late-night work session, remind yourself: You’re not a robot. You’re a gloriously imperfect human being, and you deserve to prioritise yourself.
2. Master the Art of the Work-Life Boundary
Ah yes, boundaries. The invisible lines that keep your sanity intact. Except, in our over-connected world, those lines are about as clear as a text from your ex at 2 a.m. However, if you’re going to survive busy work seasons, learning how to draw—and stick to—boundaries is crucial.
Start by defining what “off the clock” means to you. Whether it’s silencing Slack notifications after 6 p.m. or refusing to answer emails during Sunday brunch (a non-negotiable for my avocado toast), decide where your workday ends and your life begins. Communicate these boundaries to your colleagues too. If they think you’re available 24/7, they’ll treat you like a 24/7 help desk. Pro tip: set clear, realistic expectations upfront, and you won’t have to apologise later when you’re in a bubble bath instead of joining yet another Zoom call.
3. Prioritise Yourself by Scheduling “Me Time” Like It’s Your Job
We’re all experts at scheduling meetings, right? So why not use those same skills to schedule time for yourself? Put it in your calendar, and treat it like the most important meeting of your week. Block out time for a workout, a hobby, or even an episode of the latest Netflix obsession (hello, “Emily in Paris”). The key is to prioritise yourself by giving this time the same weight you’d give a meeting with your boss.
Here’s the kicker: Don’t cancel on yourself. I know it’s tempting, especially when deadlines loom, but if you start prioritising yourself, you’ll find that the world doesn’t end because you took 30 minutes to do something just for you. Besides, your brain will thank you for the break—and you’ll be much more productive when you return to work.
4. The Magic of Saying “No” (Without the Guilt)
One of the most powerful tools you have in your arsenal is the ability to say “no.” Yes, I said it: N-O. And I know what you’re thinking: “But if I say no, they’ll think I’m lazy/ungrateful/not a team player!” Trust me, they won’t. In fact, saying no to the things that don’t serve you is one of the best ways to prioritise yourself.
Here’s the deal: Every time you say yes to something you don’t have the capacity for, you’re saying no to something that might actually help you—like sleep, or finally getting around to reading that book on mindfulness that’s been sitting on your shelf for months. Saying no is like putting on your oxygen mask before helping others. You can’t give your best to your job or your loved ones if you’re running on empty.
5. Embrace the Power of Small Wins
If there’s one thing the millennial generation has perfected, it’s celebrating the little things. Need proof? Look at how excited we get over finding a decent parking spot. The same logic applies to managing a busy workload. When things get hectic, you won’t always have time for grand gestures of self-care (like booking a week-long yoga retreat in Bali). But you can make time for small wins.
Whether it’s taking a 5-minute stretch break, indulging in a fancy coffee between meetings, or crossing a small task off your to-do list, these micro-moments of self-care add up. It’s not about waiting for that elusive “free time” (spoiler alert: it doesn’t exist). Instead, prioritise yourself by sprinkling small moments of joy and relaxation into your day. Every little win counts, and it keeps you from reaching burnout territory.
6. Stop Glorifying the Grind and Start Glorifying Balance
Hustle culture has done a number on us. We’ve been conditioned to believe that grinding all day, every day, is the only path to success. But let me tell you something: Balance is way sexier than burnout. It’s time we stop glorifying the “always-on” mentality and start praising the art of balance.
What does balance look like? It’s different for everyone, but a good place to start is by reassessing your priorities. Do you really need to say yes to that extra project right now, or can it wait until next quarter? Do you have to attend every meeting, or is that what Slack threads are for? By prioritising yourself and striking a balance between work and life, you’ll find that you’re not only more productive, but you’re also happier and healthier.
7. Unplug, Seriously
I know it sounds cliché, but seriously: unplug. You don’t have to delete all your social media accounts and go live in a treehouse (unless that’s your thing), but take a moment to step away from your screen. In an age where we’re more connected than ever, unplugging can feel radical, but it’s essential for your mental health.
Turn off notifications, log out of your email, and give yourself permission to not be reachable. Whether it’s for an hour, a day, or a weekend, unplugging is one of the most effective ways to prioritise yourself. You’ll be amazed at how much clarity, creativity, and peace come from just being offline for a bit. Plus, no one ever regretted trading screen time for actual face time with their loved ones (or their bed).
8. Delegate Like a Boss to Prioritise Yourself
Sometimes, the best way to prioritise yourself is to hand off tasks to someone else. I know it feels awkward—especially if you’re used to being a one-person army—but delegating is a skill worth mastering. Not only does it free up time, but it also helps you focus on what really matters.
Take a look at your to-do list. Are there any tasks that someone else could handle? Maybe that report can be drafted by a colleague, or that presentation can be polished by your intern. When you delegate effectively, you’re not shirking responsibility—you’re being strategic. Prioritising yourself often means knowing when to ask for help.
9. Learn to Reassess (And Let Go)
We’ve all been there: that one project or task you thought was the most important thing in the world—until you realised it wasn’t. Prioritising yourself also means learning to reassess your priorities regularly. What seemed urgent last week might not be as pressing today.
Take stock of your workload every few days. Are you still focusing on the right things? Is there something you can let go of or push back? It’s not about giving up—it’s about being smart with your time and energy. Flexibility is your friend when things get busy.
10. Prioritise Yourself by Celebrating Wins (Big and Small)
Finally, let’s end on a high note. One of the best ways to prioritise yourself when work gets busy is to actually celebrate your accomplishments. I’m talking about all of them—big or small. Did you meet that deadline? Awesome, treat yourself! Did you manage to get through a brutal workweek without losing your mind? Celebrate that too!
Too often, we get caught up in the “what’s next” mindset, forgetting to acknowledge how far we’ve come. Take a moment to appreciate what you’ve achieved and reward yourself in a way that feels good to you. Whether it’s a long weekend away or a night in with your favourite comfort food, these celebrations are essential for keeping your motivation—and sanity—intact.
In a world where the hustle never seems to stop, it’s easy to forget that you matter too. Prioritising yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. By setting boundaries, saying no when you need to, embracing small wins, and celebrating your successes, you’ll not only survive busy work seasons—you’ll thrive. So next time things get hectic, remember: prioritising yourself is the best investment you’ll ever make. And yes, that means taking that bubble bath guilt-free.
