No matter how great your career, if you drop the ball at a crucial time, that error may haunt you forever. Ask people about baseball player Bill Buckner, and out of his entire 22-year career they’re likely to mention Game Six of the 1986 World Series, when a ball rolled between his legs, allowing the Mets to win.

With so many things demanding your attention, how you can you avoid missing something crucial? Adopt these habits:

• Write everything down. Don’t rely on your memory alone to track your commitments. Use a to-do list and a calendar.

• Don’t over-commit. If you pack your schedule, you will leave no room for last-minute demands on your time. Leave at least a third of your day free for unexpected work.

• Slow down. When you rush, you are more likely to make errors.

How do you keep from dropping any of the balls you are juggling?