It’s September. A new season is on the horizon, the year is more than half-way through. Summer vacation is just about over, school is now in session. Besides the start of a new year, I noticed that many people like the concept of fresh start for this month as well. And if people are looking for a fresh start, I can’t help but wonder what happened between the start of the year to the end of the summer that a hope for change will come with the start of this new season?
Sometimes we just need to recharge the batteries we already have
As I was wrecking my brain trying to think of new services I could offer through my social media marketing company, new relationships I wanted to build with the people I’ve been exposed to during my summer networking, new recipes I want to attempt to cook for the upcoming holiday, and a new short-story to outline since inspiration hit me while I was dreaming one night; I decided it was best to revisit some of the goals I made at the start of the year. I was on a fast track to doing busy work when I seriously needed to excel at the work I had already started. It was more important to tie up any loose ends (and there are plenty of them) and readjust some goals that were just too unrealistic for now or no longer a priority in my life.
At the start of the year I was irritated because I was always tired and felt I was running around in circles with goal completions never feeling anything of importance was getting accomplished. I started writing out a to-do list at the beginning on each week using my favorite productivity app Evernote (ok I slip up from time to time) and decided that the only way to know if I was being productive was to literally write down everything I did at the end of each work day. This method has really helped me feel more productive versus busy and now I’m at least aware of time wasters.
Taking a look at my weekly track record made it easier to “secretly” conduct my own version of a personal monthly review. If I’m dissatisfied with my monthly review or feeling that the steps I’m taking are not lined up with the goals set in each my 6 slices of life, I know it’s time to make a change. I have no interest in being busy it irks me almost as much as being bored. I ultimately strive for better work/life balance even though I’m not certain the scale will ever equal each other in weight.
What are some methods you use to be more productive and less busy in life and business?
Flickr Credit: Berna
Hi Lynn,
I know the feeling of running around in circles. It can be very stressful. As you said taking a break from it all from time to time is a great way to recharge but even more important may be just focusing on what’s going to get you to your ultimate goal. I’m finding that instead of accomplishing a lot of little goals that don’t necessarily add up you should just focus on the few things that are going to get you where you want to be and go after them full force. It’s the power of concentration. Sounds simple but few people actually approach business that way. It may not lead to success every time but I guarantee that everyone who is successful has gotten there by concentrating their efforts on the handful of things that has taken them to where they are now.
Jim, you are so very right. Focus on handful of things that can make big moves is def the way to go. At the same time, I believe confidence is a major determining factor in whether we take the big plunge or get our feet wet in the kiddie pool 😉 either way there has comes a point when you have to step up to the plate and swing regardless if you hit a home run. Thanks for commenting!