- Grace Novak
Looking for Balance

While I'm certainly not new to time management and managing a workload along with having a job, graduate school is another beast altogether. I'm already a stressed person pretty much around the clock no matter what I'm doing, but I'm always looking for new ways to manage my stress or see it in another perspective.
I have a lot of thoughts when it comes to the work week and how we, in American culture, treat working and leisure in general. But when it comes to me personally, I'm still getting to know my perfect balance of work and free time that results in maximum productivity and happiness. I find that I'm the kind of person who likes to work a lot especially when it's meaningful work, but I do NEED my down time to recharge and healthy ways to internalize my projects and tasks.
Now that I'm trying to plan shoots, hire actors, write screenplays, read articles, all while working at my internship, I'm looking to re-establish how I handle being overwhelmed. After doing some research, I've decided on some ways to better deal with my workload for the next three years in graduate school (and the years beyond).
Do one thing at a time
Write everything done
Don't make mountains out of molehills – everything is doable and will get done
Focus on the solution, not the problem
Set clear boundaries for the day (don't work after/before a certain time in the day)
Take the time to do what you love to do
Ask yourself: what is the most important thing I can do right now?
Be here – connect with the present moment
Stop trying to do things perfectly
Just take care of today
Get enough sleep, eat healthy & exercise