Balancing Work, Study, and Development: Productivity Strategies for the Busy Part 3 Candidate

If you’re gearing up for your Part 3 exam, chances are you’re feeling the squeeze—managing full-time work, tackling the study load, and finding time for personal and professional development can feel like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way. With the right strategies and mindset, you can achieve balance, minimise stress, and even enjoy the process.

In this post, we’ll explore practical strategies inspired by six transformational books: Deep Work by Cal Newport, Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal, Atomic Habits by James Clear, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran, and Entrepreneur Revolution by Daniel Priestley. Think of it as your ultimate guide to crushing the Part 3 journey while staying sane.

These books make for an amazing read, when you next have time. However, for now, you can make use of the main takeaways from each of them.

The Productivity Mindset Shift

Let’s start with the most important mindset shift: not all tasks are created equal. Productivity is about focusing on the tasks that truly matter. As no two tasks are made equal, they should not be treated as such. Enter the 80/20 rule, popularised in books like Feel Good Productivity and The 12 Week Year, but mentioned in different forms long before these publications.

The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, suggests that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. For Part 3 candidates, this means identifying the core activities that will have the most significant impact on your success. Instead of spreading yourself thin across dozens of tasks, concentrate on mastering key competencies, reflecting deeply on your career appraisal, and preparing high-quality case studies.

Actionable Tip: At the start of each week, write down everything you need to accomplish. Then, circle the top three tasks that will drive the most progress toward your Part 3 goals. These are your “high-value” tasks—prioritise them above all else. The book 12 Week Year drills further into this practice by starting with a long, medium and short term plan which requires you to take weekly and daily actions to reach that goal.

Mastering Deep Work in a Shallow World

We live in a world brimming with distractions: constant emails, Slack notifications, and the lure of Instagram reels. To prepare effectively for Part 3, you need to embrace Deep Work—Cal Newport’s term for focused, undistracted work that pushes your cognitive limits. This is something that comes up time and again in all the publications we are looking at in this post. Either you call it focused time, deep work, or anything else, the point is simple, time dedicate to one task is time well spent.

The key to deep work is creating the conditions for focus. This means setting aside dedicated time for study sessions, free from interruptions. Newport recommends time-blocking, where you schedule specific blocks of time for tasks like writing reflective essays or reviewing your experience records.

Actionable Tip: Set up a distraction-free study zone. Leave your phone in another room, use browser blockers like Freedom or Focus, and schedule 90-minute “deep work” blocks for undisturbed study. After a bit of practice with 90-minutes, extend to 120 and then 240. This is like a muscle. Practice at each stage. It will be difficult at first, but keep at it and you will be able to get longer and longer block of focused work.

Building Habits for Long-Term Success

Part 3 isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. To sustain your efforts, you need solid habits that keep you moving forward consistently. This is where Atomic Habits by James Clear comes into play.

Clear emphasises the importance of starting small. Instead of aiming to study for three hours every evening (and inevitably burning out), start with just 10 minutes a day. Once that becomes a habit, you can gradually increase the time.

Actionable Tip: Attach Part 3 prep to an existing habit. For example, if you already have a morning coffee routine, spend 10 minutes after your coffee reviewing notes or drafting your professional development plan.

And don’t forget Clear’s concept of identity: rather than saying, “I need to study,” tell yourself, “I am a successful Part 3 candidate.” This subtle shift can have a powerful impact on your motivation and actions.

Networking and Relationship Building

Success in Part 3 is also about people skills. Dale Carnegie’s classic, How to Win Friends and Influence People, offers timeless advice for building strong professional relationships.

As a Part 3 candidate, you’ll need to work closely with mentors, colleagues, and examiners. Carnegie’s principles, like showing genuine interest in others and practicing active listening, can help you forge meaningful connections that support your journey.

Actionable Tip: If you’re working on a case study, schedule a coffee chat with a senior colleague who’s experienced similar projects. Ask thoughtful questions about their approach, challenges, and lessons learned. Not only will you gain valuable insights, but you’ll also build a stronger professional relationship. Having a mentor at this point in time will benefit you gravelly. Get in touch with someone you know has done well in their Part 3 and ask about their experience, challenges and understand what they did well.

Accelerating Progress with the 12 Week Year Framework

Most people set yearly goals—and most of us forget about them by February. That’s why The 12 Week Year recommends treating each quarter as a year. By focusing on shorter time frames, you create urgency and clarity.

For Part 3 candidates, this approach is a game-changer. Instead of vaguely planning to “study more,” break your preparation into three-month sprints. For example:

• Month 1: Self-assessment and workplace experience documentation.

• Month 2: Case study research and drafting.

• Month 3: Finalizing submissions and practicing interview skills.

Actionable Tip: Use weekly check-ins to track your progress. Set aside 15 minutes every Sunday to review what you’ve accomplished and plan the week ahead. Use the study group to keep you true to your weekly targets. Have an online group or meet in person and discuss each other's progress on a weekly basis for maximum accountability.

Thinking Like an Entrepreneur in Your Career Development

In Entrepreneur Revolution, Daniel Priestley argues that we’re all entrepreneurs—whether we’re running a business or managing our careers. As a Part 3 candidate, you’re essentially the CEO of your professional journey.

This mindset shift can help you take ownership of your development. Treat Part 3 as a business project: define your goals, plan your resources, and measure your progress. And don’t forget about personal branding—your portfolio and LinkedIn profile are key tools for showcasing your skills and experiences.

Actionable Tip: Create a professional narrative that aligns with your Part 3 journey. For example, if sustainability is a core value, highlight projects and learning experiences that demonstrate your commitment to this area.

The Power of Systems Over Willpower

Here’s the truth: Willpower is overrated. The real secret to balancing work, study, and development is building systems that make success inevitable. This idea ties together lessons from all six books.

For example, you can use automation tools to simplify your workload, create routines that eliminate decision fatigue, and schedule regular breaks to recharge. As Ali Abdaal emphasises in Feel Good Productivity, rest isn’t a reward—it’s a crucial part of sustained performance.

Actionable Tip: Set up a simple system for tracking your Part 3 progress. Use a tool like Notion, Todoist, or even a paper planner to organise tasks, deadlines, and reflections.

Conclusion

Balancing work, study, and development as a Part 3 candidate can feel daunting, but it’s entirely possible with the right strategies. By adopting a productivity mindset, mastering deep work, building sustainable habits, and leveraging systems, you can turn the Part 3 journey into an opportunity for growth—not just a hurdle to overcome.

The best part? These strategies don’t just apply to Part 3. They’re tools for thriving in your career and personal life long after the exam is over. So, pick one strategy from this post and start implementing it today. Small changes can lead to big transformations.

And if you’ve got your own tips or insights, drop them in the comments or share them with your network. Let’s help each other succeed!