Whether it is a few days before the New Year or January has already begun, it isn’t too late to have the most productive year ever. And it isn’t about doing as much as you can, working non-stop, and not having a life. For a productive year, it just requires a little planning and balance.
Stop Repeating the Same Mistakes
You know what they say: Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results, is the definition of insanity. If you want to be more productive than you have been before, then you have to do things differently. Take some time to figure out what you have been doing that isn’t working, and do it differently. Don’t just keep repeating the same pattern, the same mistake. If you have been trying for years to complete a goal in one specific way, then it isn’t working. Try something else!
Treat Productivity Like Progress, Not Perfection
Productivity is not something you learn and can master on day one. It is a way of making progress toward your goal, doing a little more each day. Everything you achieve in life is a process, through a matter of small steps that slowly get you to what you’re trying to achieve. Think of productivity in the same way. It isn’t about working as much as you can, doing as much as you can non-stop. It is about making small choices that gradually improve how much you do.
Take Time Off
Working more hours than anyone you know is not going to make you more productive, even if you think it gives you bragging rights. There is nothing heroic about working your fingers to the bone. Make sure you are planning for regular breaks, days off, and even vacations. This is especially true if you work for yourself. It can be harder to take time off because you feel like you are always working, whether at home or not. You need to plan for times of the day when you take breaks and days of the week when you are off.
Adapt and Change When Necessary
The most successful people are the ones that are aware of what is working, and what isn’t, and make changes when necessary. If this past year taught us anything, it is that we can’t predict everything in life, and we need to learn how to adapt to change. When the most unexpected thing happens, how well-suited are you to change direction, while still being productive? This is something to work on if you want the most productive year ever.