10 ways to be more productive and finish 2018 on a high

The closer we get to mid-October, the closer we are to half term. After half term, it’s Halloween, Harvest Festival and before you know it, we’re on the run-in to Christmas.

Many women I talk to set themselves goals at the start of 2018 and now they’re starting to get cross and frustrated because they’ve not achieved them. Yet. The key word is ‘Yet’.

Yet because we still have eight weeks left until the end of the year. (OK so technically, it’s more like ten but as a working mum, let’s be clear … I’m not going to get a lot done once school breaks up).

Eight weeks then to get more productive and finish 2018 on a high – here are 10 of my favourite ways to be more productive and get more done.

1. Get clear on what is most important

   In order to be more productive, it’s essential to get clear on what is most important. If you try to achieve too much, you’ll feel so overwhelmed, you won’t even get started. Focus on just one thing at a time.

2. Make a Daily Nail It list
   

   Every morning before you start your day, write down the ONE thing that you must get done. And then below that, the two extra things that will make a difference. Then anything else you achieve is a bonus. Very often when faced with a long to do list, we feel overwhelmed and demotivated and that slows us down.

3. Write down your weekly goal
   

   At the start of the week, write down (or share with an accountability partner), what your goal is for that week. The one most important goal for you to focus on. Notice the language here … I’m using the word ‘goal’ which means I’m  not asking you to create a task list. Just to focus on the goal for the week. (Get clear on what you want to focus on, and the tasks/To Dos will sort themselves out).

4. Do the hardest thing first 

   It’s really really true. If you leave the thing you’re dreading or that you know is difficult until the end of the day, it gets bigger and uglier in your head. Try the Brian Tracy ‘eat the ugly frog first’ approach.

5. Take regular breaks

   Taking regular breaks might sound like it will eat into and waste your time. However it’s been proven over and over again that regular breaks boost your energy, help you to make more effective decisions and improves your creativity.

6. Book a Pomodoro hour

   The Pomodoro technique is a favourite of mine. If you have a long report to write or a project to organise, book yourself out and have a Pomodoro hour. This is a time management technique designed to keep you fresh and focused.

7. Focus on one thing at a time

   We think we can multi-task but in reality we can’t. Seriously you can’t. You’ll be much more effective if you focus on one thing at a time. And whatever that one thing is … be fully present to that one thing.

8. Schedule in Facebook time

   When you have something important or urgent to complete, how often do we find ourselves wasting time on social media? Give yourself permission to go onto Facebook but set a time limit. (Maybe use your Pomodoro break time).

9. Start saying No

   So many women are brilliant at pleasing others and saying yes to everything that we forget that it is OK to set boundaries and say NO. It’s important to manage expectations and if saying Yes means that you can’t give 100% or it means you’ll end up with no time for yourself or your family, say No.

10. Cut out unnecessary meetings

    Review the meetings in your diary. Are they worthwhile? Are they necessary? Do you need to be there? Are the meetings well managed? If not, don’t go. Don’t unblock the time in your diary – instead use the time for something more worthwhile. If you’re unsure about this one, ask yourself “how important is it for me to be there?” or “could we have this discussion over the phone ?” or “who can represent me and my team?”

Now you have read ten ways to get more productive so that you finish 2018 on a high, it’s time to pick just one of these ways and put it into action.

If you have a brilliant idea to add to the list, add it to the comments below and let’s share even more fabulous ways to get more productive. .

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