How to Prioritize Your Time and Accomplish Your Goals Every Day

Learn simple, effective strategies to take control of your time, even if life feels chaotic and overwhelming.

Ever feel like you’re juggling a million things and still getting nowhere?

You wake up with a plan, determined to check those tasks finally off your list. But by the end of the day, it’s the same story: everyone and everything comes first, and you’re left with nothing accomplished. Meanwhile, everyone else seems to be crushing their goals, sharing wins like they’ve got it all figured out.

Image generated with AI by the author using Midjourney

I’ve been there.

Here’s how my days looked at one time: My daughter played basketball for both her school and AAU, which meant endless trips to the gym. My son was into music and sports too, all while the hubs worked a lot of overtime, so I was the full-time chauffeur, cook and chief wrangler. Then, there were church activities, community commitments, and my remote full-time job to juggle. Everyone’s got something on the calendar that needs your oversight.

And in the middle of all this, I was trying to start a business. But every time I sat down to work on it, I was either too exhausted or didn’t have the mental wherewithal.

Struggling with staying consistent?

You start off strong with goals, motivation, and a vision of what success looks like. Then…life happens. Momentum fizzles. And before you know it, you’re back at square one, staring at those same untouched goals.

Feeling frustrated because nothing’s getting done?

The days fly by, and that ambition you once had fades away. You keep telling yourself, “If only I had more time, I’d totally crush it.” But that elusive “someday” never seems to come.

And to make things worse, you watch everyone around you hit win after win, launch their businesses, and crush it online. And you’re thinking, “Wait…don’t I have the same 24 hours too?”

Here’s the truth: You don’t need more time. You need to prioritize.

You’ve probably tried all the usual solutions. Maybe you’ve tried the latest productivity hacks, downloaded the latest apps, or binged YouTube videos on getting things done. But despite all that effort, it’s the same outcome: no progress.

Here’s what most people get wrong when trying to stay consistent:

1. They focus on perfecting the wrong things—like spending hours tweaking their daily routine.

2. They try to cram everything into a single big chunk of time, thinking they can magically catch up on all the lost hours.

3. They rely on motivation alone, and when that fades (which it always does), they hit a wall.

The results? Not good.

• You feel overwhelmed because you’re biting off more than you can chew.

• Frustration builds because you can’t keep up the pace.

• You’re tempted to quit because it feels like you’re failing, again and again.

I used to be stuck in that loop, too.

There I was, running in circles, chasing new dreams but never moving forward. I knew I had the potential to build a business, but I couldn’t seem to make the pieces fit. And it frustrated me to no end.

The problem wasn’t time—it never was.

It was that I was not prioritizing MY time. Once I started focusing on using my 24 hours better, everything changed. Putting my commitments into the mix was what I needed.

Here’s what I learned: It’s not about needing more time. It’s about managing your priorities.

So here’s my best, no-fluff advice:

1. Show up messy. Consistency doesn’t mean perfection. Stop waiting for the perfect day or the perfect energy. Just show up, even if it’s messy, even if it’s only for 15 minutes.

2. Create non-negotiable habits. Decide on a few core tasks that are non-negotiable. These are your essentials, and they get done regardless of what—no excuses.

3. Stop blaming time. Time isn’t the issue. How you use it is. Instead of wishing for more hours in the day, make better use of the ones you’ve got.

Here’s a friendly reminder: You control what you say “yes” and “no” to. If something isn’t serving you or helping you reach your goals, it’s time to cut it out.

So why does my advice work?

Because I’m not offering you a magic formula or some unattainable dream of finding more hours in your day. I’m being real. We’re all human. Life gets messy. But small, consistent steps add up over time. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to keep moving forward.

Let’s Get Practical: How to Take Control of Your Time

1. Identify your essentials.
   Pick 2-3 non-negotiable tasks every day. These are the core things that, no matter what, you will get done. Make them manageable, so you can realistically fit them into your day.

2. Block time intentionally.

   Use time blocking, but with a twist. Instead of packing your day to the brim, leave room for life to happen. Give yourself buffer time for unexpected events, but protect your priority time like it’s sacred.

3. Use the 15-minute rule.

   If a task seems too daunting, break it down into just 15 minutes of effort. It’s better to do something small and keep the momentum going than to do nothing whatsoever.

4. Say no more often.

   Look at your current commitments. Are they aligned with your goals? If not, it’s time to start saying no. You need to protect your energy and your time.

What you shouldn’t do:

• Don’t keep waiting for “more time.”

• Don’t rely solely on motivation—it won’t always be there.

• Don’t feel guilty for setting boundaries around your time.

Here’s What You Really Want:

• To feel like you’re in control of your day, instead of letting the day control you.

• To make steady, measurable progress toward your goals.

• To stop feeling guilty of not “doing it all.”

And guess what? That’s all within your reach. It’s not about chasing more time—it’s about prioritizing what matters and taking consistent, small steps forward. So stop making excuses and start making things happen.