Staying Productive After the New Year
There’s always something refreshing about a new year that makes us want to reboot, revamp, and set new goals. As the calendar pages turn and the days suddenly turn into weeks, the focus we originally set on our resolutions can be lost in our hectic schedule.
Whether your goals are focused on your family and friends, a career, or general self-improvement, we could all use a little push to make sure we’re holding ourselves accountable.
Now, four weeks into the year, have you checked in on your progress? If you need a nudge in the right direction, our tips will help you keep the promise you made to yourself.
STAY POSITIVE AND FOCUSED
There will be good days and bad days, don’t be too hard on yourself. As long as you continue to keep your goal in mind, acknowledging that you will persevere through the days of little, to no motivation, positivity will continue to push you through. Don’t panic, this won’t happen overnight.
WAKE UP EARLY
There is a lot to be said about setting that early alarm. Quite morning hours, when no one else is up and moving, can be a really productive time. You’re also more alert when you’re energized from a good sleep, so utilize the alone time!
DIVIDE YOUR GOAL INTO TASKS
Pick apart your resolution by dividing it into small tasks that can be completed over time. Breaking down a big goal into small portions makes it easier to manage.
CREATE A LIST
We all love lists (at least we do here at H&L!). Take the tasks you created above and make a list, pin that up where you see it each day. Crossing off a line item after it’s completed is not only satisfying but rewarding, you get to visually see your list come to completion.
ANALYZE YOUR TIME & SET DEADLINES
First and foremost, analyze your time realistically. The first way to fail is to set an unrealistic goal. Then, set small deadlines for the list you created. It’s always easier to accomplish a big goal, with small wins. So, follow your progress by setting milestones that are easy to track with either a weekly or monthly check-in.
SHARE YOUR IDEAS
Share your goals with close family members and friends. It’s proven that when you’re constantly being asked by others about a task, you are more likely to complete it. Also, take the criticism and opinions of others during this process. What someone says can cause you to ask yourself questions you never thought to ask before.
LIMIT DISTRACTIONS
Do this by de-cluttering and cleaning your workspace. This can mean keeping a hypothetical clean slate in your mind to work on relationships in your life, an organized gym space to complete a self-improvement goal, or a tidy office or desk to launch your next career move. Keeping space clean and neat can create an environment of no distraction.
DO IT YOUR WAY
It’s always smart to have knowledge of how others succeeded in a similar goal. Hold onto those success stories in the back of your mind, but make sure you are doing things your own way. Keep in mind that there are many ways to succeed at a common goal! Make sure your way works for you.
TREAT YOURSELF
Celebrate your wins, no matter how small they may be. The satisfaction and excitement of progress is a positive push in the right direction!
