5 Tips to Help Manage a Busy NYC Schedule

Once the holidays are in full swing, life can be pretty manic in the Big Apple.

Having a jam-packed schedule – whether it’s primarily for business, social events or a combination of both – is part of the typical New York City lifestyle. So once Thanksgiving hits and the holidays are in full swing, the last part of the year can be a pretty manic period. When it comes to juggling everything on your plate, organization is key, and these five tips will keep you on your toes while preventing stress from getting the best of you.

If you spend a good amount of time commuting by train or bus, use that time wisely to work on your to-do list.

2. Prioritize.
Before you map out your game plan for tackling a busy schedule, pinpoint the most important tasks in your to-do list as well as any mandatory events you need to attend. Be sure you have enough time for the most essential errands and functions. Paying bills or working overtime on a business presentation may not be as fun as decorating your apartment for the holidays, but getting the critical tasks out of the way first will reduce the amount of stress you’ll have later. Then you can enjoy the good stuff like checking out the many holiday window displays or the decor at Rockefeller Center.

You need some time to enjoy the good stuff like the decor at Rockefeller Center.

3. Plan Ahead.
You can’t always control what gets thrown your way at the last minute, but planning ahead helps you stay organized, for the most part. If you know you’re going out of town for the holidays – or any time of the year, for that matter – figure out what you need to finish ahead of time and get it done. 

Do you need to hire a pet sitter for Fluffy or Cujo? Are there any reports that need to be completed before you leave the city so your co-workers won’t be struggling while you’re on vacation? Think about as many details as you can ahead of time, and add items to your to-do list as needed.

Plan ahead if you need a pet sitter.

4. Space Things Out. 
Few things are as stressful as having so much to do that you don’t even know where to start. In order to prevent a total meltdown, do your best to space out important tasks and deadlines so you have time in between for a quick breather before you move on to the next one. A quick hour break between appointments can be enough to recuperate, even if you use that time for a more menial task such as doing laundry or something more pleasant like taking a walk along the High Line.

The High Line is a fantastic spot to decompress.

5. Learn to Say “No.”
Never underestimate the ability to say “no” to people. If you’re short on time, there’s nothing wrong with kindly turning down an invitation to a cocktail party with people you hardly know, or an out-of-the-city high school reunion you couldn’t care less about (traveling takes even more time). 

One of the worst things you can do when you’re already handling a busy schedule is to overload yourself with more obligations, simply because you’re trying to please everyone. 

Your time is valuable, so don’t be afraid to cut out the less important bits from your life for the sake of your mental health and wellness, as well as your personal happiness. Tourists flock to New York to enjoy the city this time of year, so if you’re a local, you should be able to enjoy it just as much.

Learn to say “no” so you can take in all the city has to offer.