If you feel like your life seems too overwhelming and everything around you happens too quickly and chaotically, you’re not alone. A study shows that 60% of people don’t have enough time to get everything done in the day. [1]
To help you overcome the feeling that “I can’t manage all the things on time,” we’ve created a simple yet effective checklist. This checklist will also help you reduce stress and finally start moving forward. Save the tips and start making small but meaningful changes.
How to get your life together: An 11-step checklist
When you dig deeper into these practical steps, we recommend trying them right away. You’ll notice the first results really quickly and feel more in control.
1. Understand where you are now
Well, the crucial first step in the journey of getting your life together is to analyze what happens to you and why you might feel overwhelmed. Whether it’s because of work stress, personal relationships, serious life changes, or simply a lack of direction, pinpointing the root cause is essential.
We’ve prepared a list of self-reflection questions that may be useful if you want to regain control. Here are 3 specifically tailored questions you can start from to gain deeper insight into your current situation:
- Which parts of your life are you finding the most difficult to handle, and why?
- What habits do you stick to that may increase the level of stress and chaos?
- If you could change one thing about your current situation immediately, what would it be?
This may help you highlight aspects that need your attention the most. After that, you can begin changing the situation instead of simply feeling nervous and lost.
2. Set short-term and long-term goals
Now, it’s time to take action. According to the Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, “Goal setting can increase performance for many reasons, including a focus on goal-relevant activities and increased motivation for the task.” [2] To put it simply, if you want to reach something specific, it can be rather helpful to set a goal beforehand.
- First, we suggest you write down all the goals you want to achieve. Don’t try to rationalize them or think about practical steps in the first step. It’s better to let yourself journal.
- Next, pick a few goals that matter most to you. It’s better to choose them from various life areas (e.g., work, health, relationships, etc.) Trying to do everything at once can feel overwhelming, so concentrate on what’s most important right now.
- Then, break them into short-term and long-term goals. For instance, the first ones can involve “meeting KPI goals for this month at work” or “losing 4 lbs.” The second ones may be rather “to get a promotion within a year” or “to reach my ideal weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”
- Finally, list specific steps to get your life together. Researchers state that setting SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals leads to greater goal attainment. [3] For instance, you can say something like, “I will exercise for 30 minutes five times a week and track progress in an app. I can start with light workouts, and gradually increase intensity.”
Thus, if you want to focus on what really matters, it’s better to add some clarity. We recommend creating a step-by-step to-do list to start small and gradually reach bigger achievements.
3. Establish a routine that boosts your productivity
Once you’ve set goals and identified specific steps toward positive changes, it’s better to focus on what you do daily. According to the World Economic Forum, “Routines can support cognitive functions, boost your health, and provide social opportunities.” [4] Thus, if you’re on the way to getting your life together, this is one more step to success.
Think about the first three things you do when you wake up. If you scroll through your phone and stay in bed until 11 am, it can make you feel exhausted. On the other hand, if you start the day with drinking water and stretching, it can boost your energy. Consistent schedule is key to personal growth.
It’s better to identify what works best for you and craft a to do list for a day accordingly. Remember that routine isn’t about being strict, but about having a plan that always helps you feel more focused.
4. Build healthy habits and approach self-care seriously
It is also vital to have a balanced diet, drink water, sleep enough, and take time for yourself if you want to get your life together. The research proves that a healthy lifestyle is the factor impacting productivity. [5]
Thus, if you want to build a successful career or simply have more “me-time”, take care of your health first. Here are a few small steps to start from on your self-care journey.
- Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day
- Practice mindfulness or try meditation
- Disconnect from screens for a certain time before bed
- Find time for doing things you love
5. Stay active
If you’ve ever googled “How to get my life together?” you probably know that staying in shape is one of the most common pieces of advice. This is because consistent physical activity significantly reduces the risk of chronic diseases and has a positive influence on people’s mental well-being. [6]
It may sound obvious, but simple things such as taking a walk, stretching for a few minutes, or doing a quick workout in the morning can make a big difference. Of course, sometimes most of us don’t want to wake up earlier to exercise. Yet, you can always take a deep breath and think about how it can change your reality even in a year.
6. Limit distractions and get more disciplined
Studies prove that self-discipline enables people to live their lives in a well-ordered manner. [7] Thus, if you want to achieve success and get your life together, learning to be more organized is a must.
While doing sports regularly is a part of discipline training, it shouldn’t be limited to this. Here are a few more ideas to become better without distractions:
- Keep your environment tidy
- Avoid multitasking
- Limit screen time
- Turn off notifications
- Avoid time-consuming activities (watching TV, playing computer games for too long, etc.)
7. Get your finances in order
Well, it’s time to take a hard look at what happens in your wallet or, maybe, with your credit cards. While a lack of finances may cause a desire to take control over your life, even a quick thought about money can feel overwhelming.
In this case, improving your financial literacy is key. To reduce the stress connected with this aspect, start with something simple.
- Analyze how much money you earn now and how much you need to live without worries.
- Track your expenses and optimize them.
- Focus on paying off high-interest debts (if there are any).
- Once you’ve paid all the debts, concentrate on saving regularly and building a cushion for unexpected expenses.
- Maybe, find an additional source of income if you feel that it isn’t enough.
Of course, all these tips may sound simple but seem difficult to turn into life. Yet, in reality, if you stick to a clear step-by-step plan, you have a high chance of achieving success much faster.
8. Shift to a positive mindset and practice gratitude
If you feel overwhelmed by everything happening around you, maybe it’s time to change perspective. Focusing on negative things and dwelling on what could’ve done better requires too many resources that you can spend on self-care and personal growth.
Numerous studies, particularly the one published in Psychological Bulletin prove that the happiest people owe their success, in part, to their optimism and positive outlook. [8] The first step to approach things more positively can be concentrating on small wins.
While life is moving forward and constantly changing, you may list your achievements in the Breeze’s tracker and share them on social media or with friends. Shifting from “Why did this happen to me?” to “What have I learned from this situation?” can help you be more grateful and get your life back together.
9. Set boundaries and limit communication with toxic people
Self-care isn’t only about what things you do but also about what people you surround yourself with. Building strong, meaningful connections and networking are the best ways to reach exponential growth.
Think about different people you communicate with daily or have some kind of relationship with: loved ones, co-workers at your job, your friend group, and even family members. They can make your life more challenging, or, vice versa, help you live longer and healthier (the research proves). [9] So, to make your life more organized and meaningful, it can be a good idea to do the following:
- Stay in touch with people who make you feel happier, inspire, and boost your energy level.
- Learn to say “no” if you don’t want to do something.
- Prioritize self-respect and clearly define what behavior toward yourself you consider normal and what isn’t.
- Stop people-pleasing and thinking about what others will say, rather focus on your future.
10. Take care of your mental well-being
Negative thoughts and stress can have a significant impact on our lives and job efficiency without us even noticing it. [10] So, if you’re struggling to manage everything at once, maybe it’s time to concentrate on what happens inside.
Journaling and mood tracking with Breeze can help you spot patterns on what is stressing you out. As such, you can avoid specific situations and change your life in a way to feel better emotionally.
11. Reach out for professional help if necessary
Emily Mendez, M.S., Ed.S, comments, “A therapist can help you identify what things in your life are causing you to feel overwhelmed. They can help you develop appropriate coping skills to manage the stress. Therapy can also help you build resilience and minimize episodes of stress in the future.”
How to get your life together FAQs
At what age do people get their lives together?
There’s no definite age when all people find the sense of life and start following the right direction. Instead, each one’s story is unique and special. Moreover, from time to time, all of us can have moments of overwhelm and frustration (even if our lives seem pretty organized in general).
It’s better to compare ourselves to who we were yesterday. If your relationships, career, and mindset change and develop, you’re moving in the right direction.
What is the Get Your Life Together book about?
While there are dozens of books that provide helpful advice on how to reach a better future, Get Your Life Together(ish): A No-Pressure Guide for Real-Life Self-Growth by Julia Dellitt is the one often mentioned. The book suggests reward-based challenges for self-improvement and step-by-step instructions on how to take care of your health, find a sense of life, and reach a better future.
Yet, this isn’t the only one we can recommend. There are also other books that can support you and lead to a lasting change in your life:
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Lead from the Outside by Stacey Abrams
- Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
How to get your life together as a student?
There isn’t a big difference in getting life together as a student, adult with a career, or teenager. The principles of taking better care of yourself, having a consistent schedule, choosing the right friend group, and staying physically active are common.
If you need more tips on how to find your life purpose, realize what to do next, or make better progress at searching for a job, read your article I Don’t Know What to Do With My Life. It will help you gain clarity and set achievable goals.
Where do I start if I feel completely lost?
Imagine yourself in 10 years. Where do you want to be, and what kind of person do you want to become? Sometimes, human nature makes us too scared to dream big. Still, when you think globally without fear of falling, you open yourself up to new opportunities.
On the other hand, you can always create a list of what you don’t want to do and get rid of this stuff in your life. This way, you’ll already make huge progress in making your life better.
Is it too late to get my life together?
It’s never too late to begin. The number of people aged 65+ who keep working is now 2 times higher than in 2000, and it continues growing. [11] People aren’t afraid to take on new opportunities and pursue their dreams at any age, and you shouldn’t be an exception. Every step forward brings you to the life you want.
How do I stay motivated when trying to get my life together?
Emily Mendez, M.S., Ed.S, suggests her ideas, “Many tools and tips can help us get back on track when overwhelmed. Here are my favorites:
- Ask for help — Let close family and friends know that you have been feeling overwhelmed.
- Strengthen your boundaries — Not having strong boundaries is something that can cause you to feel overwhelmed.
- Change what is within your control — For instance, if you are constantly stressed because of your commute, consider taking an alternative route to work.”
What are the key habits to help me get my life together and reach personal growth?
To make progress and create a consistent routine, you need to constantly care for your well-being — both mental and physical. Except for the habits mentioned above, you might need to:
- Read and learn something new regularly
- Keep your living space clean and organized
- Spend time in nature
- Step out of your comfort zone
Sources
- CBS News. “6 in 10 say they don’t have enough time to get everything done in the day”
- ScienceDirect. “Goal setting and raising the bar: A field experiment”
- ScienceDirect. “Applying SMART Goal Intervention Leads to Greater Goal Attainment, Need Satisfaction and Positive Affect”
- World Economic Forum. “Establishing a routine can have huge benefits for your life. Here’s 5 ways to do it”
- ResearchGate. “The Impact of Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors on Productivity at Work: A Factory Example”
- ResearchGate. “Significant Positive Impact of Regular Exercise on Mental and Physical Health”
- ResearchGate. “Self-Discipline: An Important Concept, Advantageous to the Individuals in all Communities”
- Psychological Bulletin. “The Benefits of Frequent Positive Affect: Does Happiness Lead to Success?”
- Harvard T. C. Chan School of Public Health. “The importance of connections: Ways to live a longer, healthier life”
- ResearchGate. “Wellbeing and productivity: a review of the literature”
- Centre for Ageing Better. “Almost one million more workers aged 65 and above since the millennium, new analysis reveals”
