Around this time every year, I take a look at my schedule and work habits to see where I can improve particular pockets of productivity. It helps me realign my schedule with my mission and start the year off with a fresh slate.
It’s also something I recommend to all of my clients, too! Taking a look at where you’re wasting time and finding ways to maximize your energy and productivity can help you reach new heights and achieve new goals.
If you want to go into 2025 feeling fresh and ready to take on a new year, read through the following strategies to maximize your productivity. Then, pull out your planner or schedule and find where they would work best for you!
Start Each Day with a Plan
You know that saying, failing to plan is planning to fail? It’s pretty cliché, but it’s also pretty true! Without a solid plan, it can be easy for your day to go off the rails.
Invest in a well-designed daily planner or digital calendar to help you plan your tasks and activities. Seeing them all out on paper will help you go through and prioritize them by the matter of importance and develop deadlines to focus on must-do and high-impact tasks first.
Set SMART Goals
We all have big goals and dreams, right? But how are you going to achieve those big goals? With actionable steps, of course!
Write down your big-picture goals, and then make them more achievable by breaking them down into smaller tasks. Follow the SMART goals guideline – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.
Eliminate Distractions
Distractions are normal! But they could also be pulling you away from the things that really matter. Identify your biggest daily distractions and then develop a plan to eliminate them from your day.
If social media pulls your attention away, change your settings so you don’t get notifications. Are unnecessary meetings clogging up your schedule? Establish a workflow that will minimize them.
Look into Time Management Tools and Techniques
Struggling with time management is nothing new, and luckily, there are a ton of really great tools and techniques out there to help you make the most of your day!
Consider implementing practices like the Pomodoro Technique, time blocking, or the Eisenhower Matrix to effectively manage your time, creativity, and brain power.
There are some great apps to help you, too. Some of my favorites include Toggl Track, Forest, and RescueTime. All of these apps will help you document your time so you can see where you’re procrastinating or wasting time.
Delegate What You Can
Delegating tasks isn’t just for work! You can also delegate home-related tasks that take up too much time. If you don’t have time to cook healthy meals, consider joining a meal service. If laundry is overwhelming your schedule, send it out to be washed and folded.
If it’s a task that is taking your time away from money-making activities or rest, and you have the ability to outsource it, do it!
Reach Out for Support
If you’ve been trying to make a change and find a way to maximize your productivity, but nothing seems to be working, don’t be afraid to reach out for professional help. Sometimes, a well-trained, non-biased perspective can help you find the little loopholes and details you’re missing.
If you need help designing your perfect, productive life, reach out! I’d be happy to work with you one-on-one to create a plan to help you find the success and happiness you deserve!
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