How to be Productive & Achieve your Goals by the End of the Year
Time to complete your end-of-year tasks!
With the holiday season and the new year right around the corner, we start to think about what we want to accomplish by the end of the year. The new year is the perfect time to reflect, refresh, achieve the goals we set at the start of the year, and set new goals for the new year. But, towards the end of the year, productivity can take a serious hit and it can be difficult to find the motivation to complete our end-of-the-year to-do list and tasks. However, it can be done!
Here is how to boost productivity so that you can achieve your end-of-year goals and make the few months you have left your best!
Figure out what time you are most productive and stick to it
Working when you feel the most motivated will improve productivity. Forcing yourself to work when you feel sluggish or exhausted will not be the most effective. In fact, you might end up procrastinating further and wasting time. Whether you work better early in the morning, just after lunch, or in the evening, find the time that works for you. Once you know this, plan exactly what you need to do, and how much time you have to do it, and then focus all your energy on working hard during that time.
Note: When planning your day make sure you make time to sleep. If you prefer to work early in the morning, then go to bed earlier at night. If you work better in the evening, then give yourself more time in the morning. Sleep is extremely important for your well-being and productivity levels.Plan days for specific tasks
To make your tasks more manageable, plan out your days. Sit down with your weekly or even monthly planner and schedule specific days for tasks. Delegating larger tasks for days where you have more time and smaller tasks for busier days will ensure that you are setting realistic goals and dedicating an appropriate amount of time for tasks to be completed. It is also helpful to see on each day or week what you need to do and when you need to do it.Create lists
Whenever you don’t know where to start or have so much to do that it’s all jumbled in your mind, write it out in a list. Organise the list in order of importance, quickest to longest task or easiest to hardest. Detail exactly what you need to do so it’s easier to determine your steps rather than being vague and spending time thinking about what you need to do and how you’re going to do it. Once you have a list of tasks, plan how you’re going to approach each task. This will make the task easier to complete and it won't make the thought of doing these tasks so overwhelming.Time to manage your tasks
Many people start to lose inspiration and motivation when they spend so much time on a task. A way to be the most effective and stay motivated is to use a timer. Using a timer to plan how long you should spend on a task has proven to be very effective. Not only does it let you know how long you need to spend on a task, but it will give you a countdown until the end of the task so you don’t feel like the work is going on forever. If you complete your task before the timer is up, you will feel a sense of accomplishment, further motivating you to complete your tasks and meet your goals. Start with 5 minutes and slowly increase the time, e.g. a 5-minute workout, 5 minutes routine, reading for 10 minutes, clean for 15 minutes, work for 20 minutes. Once you get used to this habit, you will be able to work for longer periods of time. It will also make the task seem less stressful and daunting because you have a start and end time.Romanticise your tasks
We all have tasks that we don’t enjoy, whether that’s studying, cleaning, working out or just sitting at the computer doing work, but there are things we can do to make the tasks enjoyable. Create a work playlist and play your favourite music, light candles, put your favourite show on in the background or wear cute lounge clothes if you’re at home and get dressed if you have to go out. All these steps, even though they seem simple, will motivate you, improve your mood, and make you feel like the main character (because you are the main character!)Create a space that allows you to work
Right space, right mind. Rid yourself of any distractions so that you give your full attention to the task. Move your phone away from your workspace, create a relaxing atmosphere, have a dedicated workspace that tells your brain it is time to work, or if working at home is too distracting, then find a café or library that allows you peace to work – you’ve made all the effort to go out so you’ll want to make it worth it. Create a space that helps you to focus and motivates you to get work done.Reward yourself when you complete a task
It's simple, you’ve worked hard, so show yourself some love. Make a delicious meal at the end of the day, make plans with friends, or have a self-care day on your day off, stop by that coffee shop on your way home, eat some treats, have a glass of wine, or go out. Do whatever will make you feel good after working so hard. It’s important to do this because acknowledging your own successes reinforces your positive habits, positively improves your mood, and boosts self-esteem.Productive boredom
When you feel like there is nothing to do, there is actually always something to do; prep for the week, read, start working on tasks that were meant for other days, go out and run errands or simply enjoy the break and give yourself time to rest so that when you start working on your to-do list the next day, you are refreshed, reenergised and ready to go. When you feel bored, use that time to be productive - your future self will be grateful that you did!Remind yourself that it's okay to rest and have a break.
It’s great to be productive during the day, but it’s just as important to make time for yourself so that you can feel mentally and physically your best when you have work to do. Working non-stop all day will cause you to feel rundown, uninspired, and burnt out. Over time, the constant grind can harm your mental and physical health. It's important to work hard but always find time for yourself and for your health. Whilst you are working, schedule breaks, time to eat, time to relax, time with loved ones, and find time to give your mind a rest and recharge before your next steps.Dream big but remember that for you to do your best you need to be at your best.