A new year brings new opportunities for a fresh start. At the start of every year, we set resolutions for ourselves but somehow we never feel completely accomplished by the end. Think of 2016 as your chance to change that – 365 unwritten days await you to start the New Year on the right foot. We’ve come up with a helpful list of tips to make productivity and your New Year’s resolutions more achievable than ever.
Set goals you can keep
The key to almost any goal is to aim for an outcome that is truly attainable. This year, start with resolutions that you know you’re capable of, like quitting a nasty habit or joining a gym, rather than starting with the life-altering decisions like moving to a new city or quitting your job. By doing so, you set a tone for how the rest of the year will unfold. Schedule tasks in your “Someday” list on Any.do to remind you of those future ambitions on a consistent basis. Make goals for yourself that are within reach and success will follow.
Break old habits
Say goodbye to your old way of doing things that get in the way of productivity. Start eating breakfast, or set your alarm an hour earlier instead of snoozing and missing those morning jogs you’ve always said you’d do. Making these small changes that you never considered might be the reason you aren’t productive until after lunch and can give you time and energy to accomplish everything on your task list and more.
Minimize interruptions
Life will throw you many obstacles, so it’s best to be prepared for the unexpected. Manage unnecessary interruptions in your life by focusing on what is urgent and learning to say no to interferences. Come up with ways to eliminate distractions in day-to-day interactions, as well as distractions that get in the way of your broader goals. It can be as simple as turning off your phone during meetings or as complex as reevaluating life choices that are getting in the way of your ambition.
Be flexible
Remember that not everyone operates on the same schedule and learn to adapt to those around you. Use the Any.do Moment in the morning to go through your tasks for today. This will help you see what you need to do so you can plan your tasks around your other meetings and plans for the day. This small change will ultimately benefit your relationships in a substantial way and allow you to achieve more in the process by allowing yourself to be flexible and therefore open to new opportunities.
Think positively
Start the New Year with a positive outlook by living in the moment and enjoying the little things. According to an article titled, “How Positivity Drives Productivity” by Caroline L. Arnold for The Huffington Post, “A 2011 research study by Thomas Straube of the University of Muenster and another by Go Okada of Hiroshima University concluded that exposure to negative words impairs the formation of memory associations critical to productive work.” Rid your vocabulary of “regrets” and “should haves,” and focus more on what you can improve on and how you can make your life more gratifying.
Arnold, Caroline L. “How Positivity Drives Productivity” The Huffington Post. July 17,2014 (2014).