4 ways to stay afloat when holding down multiple jobs

4 ways to stay afloat when holding down multiple jobs4 ways to stay afloat when holding down multiple jobsThere are a handful of reasons why someone might have multiple jobs, with the need for extra cash or an outlet to express themselves through a side projecthigh up on the list.Either way, running back and forth between part-time positions and events can be a huge stressor. If this is your lifestyle, heres what to do to stay on top all your commitments.1. Know whats on the books this weekIts best to be crystal clear on whats in store so you can plan accordingly.In an article for The Muse, Avery Augustine writes that if you dont pay attention to when you have to work, as well as your social calendar, things you didnt see coming can sabotage your productivity.She continuesTo help keep your priorities straight (and your sanity intact), take a few moments over the weekend to think through your schedule for the week. For example, maybe theres a meeting or happy hour you want to attend o n Wednesday night, so youll need to shift the majority of your evening work to Monday and Tuesday.Augustine adds that planning things out will help you decide about last-minute obligations and say no if you have to, and that you will have the capacity to work more efficiently and squeeze in fun.2. Get a handle on your moneyKeeping up with what youre making in more than one job takes attention to detail, but you can take specific measures to work toward fiscal stability.A Monster article mentions how financial discipline is extremely important when you work for yourself. The article then continues, featuring advice from Sara Horowitz, founder and executive director of the Freelancers Union.A rule of thumb is for every dollar you take in, 60 cents goes into your checking and 40 cents goes into savings to pay your taxes, she told Monster.You should also look into low-cost group health insurance plans in your state.3. Remember, different jobs = different skillsTake comfort in the idea t hat having multiple jobs means more opportunities to hone your various crafts.In a Huffington Post article, John Rampton writes that having positions of different natures is great. Since you arent repeating the saatkorn task at each one, you will have more energy, he writes.He continuesOne job will use a certain skill set and another job will use another. Even if you work both jobs in the same day, youll likely have much more energy than if you only did one job. Sometimes a mix of a physical job and a desk job is just the mix people need in order to work many hours in the day.4. Be clear on when youre free and when youre notOnly you know how much time you have, so if you dont want to give it all away, be strategic about your availability. In other words, you work hard, and dont let people gobble up all your time.In a Lifehacker article, Eric Ravenscraft replies to a reader who says that hes just graduated college and is working 60 to 70 hours weekly at various part-time positions. T he reader asks how to avoid getting burned out and crushing his eignung for a steady job in the future.One of Ravenscrafts tips is to set boundaries and stick to them, writing about how both supervisors could want all of your time, so he has tochoose how much to dedicate to each.He later continuesWherever possible, decide your availability for one job and adapt the other around that schedule. Work one during a normal 9-5 shift and fill in the gaps with the other, or only do one on weekdays and save the other for weekends. If youre more of a freelancer, make sure each of your managers know your boundaries and stick to them. If you can, you should also set aside at least one day a week where you work neither job.Ravenscraft adds that setting aside time is crucial because it creates a middle of the week and an opportunity to tend to what you need to at home.Staying focused on your schedule, thinking about what youre gaining from each job, and taking ownership of your time and money are key to thriving under the pressure of working multiple positions.