Being organized will help you stay on top of all tasks without being overwhelmed.

New managers, welcome to the big leagues! You’ve earned your stripes and now it’s time to lead the team. While the journey ahead may be challenging, there is one key piece of advice that I’d like to share with you: Being organized will help you stay on top of all tasks without being overwhelmed.

Gone are the days of leisurely sipping lattes, scrolling through your newsfeed, and taking an occasional catnap at your desk. (Or, maybe those days never existed for you in the first place.) As a manager, you’ll be juggling a million tasks, from meetings to deadlines, from hiring to firing, from coaching to mentoring. And it’s easy to feel like a plate spinner, trying to keep everything going while avoiding a big, messy crash.

But, here’s the good news: You don’t have to be a plate spinner. You can be a maestro. And the key to your success is organization.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Make a to-do list - It’s simple, yet effective. Write down all the tasks you need to complete and prioritize them based on importance and deadline. Cross off items as you complete them, and adjust your list as needed.

2. Use a planner - Whether it’s a physical planner or a digital calendar, use it to keep track of appointments, meetings, and deadlines. This will ensure that you never miss a beat and that everything is on your radar.

3. Delegate tasks - As a manager, you don’t have to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks to your team members and trust them to get the job done. This will free up your time to focus on more important tasks and will also help develop your team.

4. Keep your workspace clutter-free - A cluttered workspace can lead to a cluttered mind. Take a few minutes every day to tidy up and file away any loose papers or items that are cluttering your desk.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to stay on top of all your tasks without feeling overwhelmed. And, as you continue to grow and develop as a manager, you’ll find that organization becomes second nature.

So, go ahead and tackle your to-do list with confidence. You’ve got this! And remember, if all else fails, just take a deep breath and pour yourself a cup of coffee. You deserve it.