Here are 12 habits for a productive year. These are all about working smarter and not harder.
We need to not only set goals but get things done too! These are the habits I have made and I use myself to accomplish something.
The first thing we need to do is stop procrastinating! Here is a whole blog post on how to stop doing that.
Habits for a Productive Year Video:
Productivity Habits for the Whole Year
The most important way to be productive is to use your time wisely! Also, something that most people forget is to schedule downtime and breaks.
It is hard to be productive if you never get a break! And it is easier to be productive if you have a limited time to get things done.
1 Use Calendars
Using a calendar is the best way I stay organized and plan out my time. I like to use a large whiteboard calendar that is easy to see and write important reminders on.
Using a monthly planner is what keeps me micro-organized and productive each week. The night before I am planning out my day I like to think about what needs to get done and what I would like to accomplish.
There is a difference! The needs are things like appointments or tasks that must get done like paying a bill. Things I want to accomplish can always get moved around depending on how important it is.
I normally limit myself to 3 tasks I want to get done per day. This way I have a chance at actually getting something done.
2 Productive Over Perfection
If you want to get something done then it might be time to drop trying to be perfect. Done is always better than perfection.
I have heard so many people say they are too worried to start something because they won’t do it right. Just start whatever it is that you want to do and then you will be one step closer.
3 Avoid Being Busy
Being busy takes up too much time. What is being busy? How many times a day do you check things that don’t really need to be checked.
With social media and computers, it is easy to check things constantly. Like our emails, bank accounts, credit cards, FB, Instagram, and everything else. When in reality we don’t need to be checking these things several times a day.
4 Cut Out Unnecessary Things
When I decided to get really serious about my business I decided to take a close look and where my time was going. How much time was being wasted on TV, social media apps I didn’t need, driving places I didn’t really need to go and so much more…
Cutting out all the unnecessary things gave me more time to focus on what I was trying to get done.
I get comments from people saying they don’t have time to declutter, but if you make time for decluttering you will gain even more time from all those items you no longer have to deal with.
5 Organize Workspace
An organized workspace makes getting things done faster and easier. You don’t have to waste time searching for lost items. No more sifting through all the paper and mess just to delay what you really need to do.
Spend some time and get your workspace organized first and it will be way easier to accomplish your goals.
Reduced Stress: Clutter and disorganization can contribute to feelings of overwhelm and stress. By organizing your workspace, you create a visually pleasing and calming environment that promotes a sense of control and reduces stress levels.
6 Reflect on the Previous Year
At the end of every year, I like to look at what my goals were at the beginning of the year and see what needs to be changed. Were my goals reasonable? Did I accomplish what I set out to do?
Reflecting always helps me to set my goals for the next year.
7 S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Setting S.M.A.R.T. goals is an effective approach to ensure your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting S.M.A.R.T. goals:
- Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve. Be specific about the desired outcome, focusing on the “what,” “why,” and “how” of your goal. Avoid vague or generalized statements. For example, instead of saying, “I want to exercise more,” specify, “I want to go to the gym three times a week for strength training and cardio workouts.”
- Measurable: Establish criteria to measure your progress and determine when you’ve achieved your goal. Use quantifiable indicators to track your success. This allows you to assess your progress and stay motivated. For example, if your goal is to increase your monthly sales, specify a target number or percentage increase.
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Attainable: Ensure that your goal is realistic and attainable. Consider your available resources, skills, and time commitments. While it’s good to aim high, setting unrealistic goals may lead to frustration and discouragement. Set goals that challenge you but are within reach with effort and dedication.
- Relevant: Align your goal with your overall objectives and values. Make sure it is relevant and meaningful to you. Consider how the goal relates to your long-term plans, personal growth, or professional development. Ensure that pursuing the goal aligns with your values and aspirations.
- Time-bound: Set a specific timeframe or deadline for achieving your goal. This creates a sense of urgency and helps you stay focused and motivated. Set a realistic timeframe that allows for steady progress. For example, instead of saying, “I want to learn a new language,” specify, “I want to be conversational in Spanish within six months.”
By applying the S.M.A.R.T. framework, your goals become more defined, actionable, and achievable. Writing down your S.M.A.R.T. goals and regularly reviewing your progress can enhance your clarity, motivation, and overall success in reaching your objectives.
8 Vision Board
A vision board is a powerful tool that can help you get more accomplished by providing visual representation and clarity of your goals and aspirations. Here’s how a vision board can support your productivity and success:
Visual Representation: A vision board allows you to create a visual representation of your goals, dreams, and desires.
Clarity and Focus: Creating a vision board requires you to clarify and define your goals. This clarity helps you stay focused on your objectives and avoid getting sidetracked by distractions or less meaningful tasks.
Goal Visualization: Regularly looking at your vision board and visualizing your goals can activate your subconscious mind and reinforce your commitment to achieving them.
Positive Mindset: A vision board filled with images and quotes that inspire you can create a positive mindset and reinforce a belief in your ability to achieve your goals.
Accountability and Tracking: Your vision board can serve as a source of accountability. By regularly reviewing your board, you can track your progress and assess if you are taking the necessary steps toward your goals.
Subconscious Reinforcement: When you expose yourself to the images and words on your vision board consistently, you send positive messages to your subconscious mind. This repetition helps reprogram your beliefs and thoughts, aligning them with your desired outcomes and increasing the likelihood of taking actions that lead to success.
Remember, a vision board is a tool to support your efforts. It’s essential to combine it with consistent action, goal setting, and planning.
9 Word for the Year
Choosing a theme word for your year can provide focus, direction, and intentionality to your actions and goals.
My word for this year is “growth”. I want to grow my knowledge, and business, grow muscle, just in general grow all things good, grow my own food and so much more. I purposely picked a word that could apply to all aspects of my life.
Remember, the chosen theme word should resonate with you personally and reflect your unique aspirations and values. It should inspire and guide you, reminding you of your intentions and helping you stay focused on what truly matters to you.
10 Brain Dump
A brain dump is a technique where you transfer all the thoughts, ideas, tasks, and information swirling in your mind onto paper or a digital document. It can be a highly effective tool for improving productivity in several ways:
Mental Clarity: A brain dump helps clear your mind of mental clutter. When I write everything down it helps me to relax and focus on one thing.
Organization and Prioritization: Once you have all your thoughts and tasks on paper, you can organize and prioritize them more effectively. You can group related items together and determine which tasks are most important or urgent.
Stress Reduction: When your mind is constantly trying to keep track of numerous tasks and ideas, it can lead to stress and anxiety. A brain dump helps alleviate this stress.
Idea Generation and Creativity: A brain dump is not just for tasks; it can also be used to capture ideas, insights, and creative thoughts.
11 Use Silent Hours
Using the silent hours of the day is the best way to get things done especially if you work from home or have kids around while trying to be productive.
I am a stay-at-home mom to three boys and I also work at a creative job from home that takes over 40 hours a week. This is how I get everything done.
Anything that doesn’t need quiet or a lot of concentration I do when my kids are there playing next to me. This could be tidying the house, cooking, filming, cleaning, and laundry. The things that take more time I like to use the silent hours of the day.
Most of the time my boys go to bed at 8 pm so I work from 8 pm till 11 pm in the quiet of the night. Sometimes I will switch that around and wake up at 5:30 am and get some computer work done.
I also take advantage of all the time when my boys are at school and or napping. These quiet times are for when I need to think and plan out my videos and blog posts. And any time where I need to not get interrupted.
12 Reward Yourself
It is very important to reward yourself and your accomplishments as you are achieving them. Take a few minutes to reflect on everything you have accomplished and give yourself a mental highfive for getting it done.
This reward system helps us to stay motivated and not get discouraged!
I hope these 12 habits for a productive year help you to stay motivated and get more done.
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