Three Things To Make Work Your Work Life Easier Before the Year’s End
Friday, October 10, 2014
So many of us get caught up in the beginning of a new year that the opportunity to close the year out right is left on the table.
As much as Jan. 1 presents a new beginning, it may also leave many with regret about what was NOT done in the prior year. To avoid dealing with a “regret hangover” on New Year's Day, start thinking now about what can and should be changed, or accomplished, before the year's end.
Here are three challenges to take on before the year's end. One is a habit you can change today, this moment. One is a new habit you can start next week.
And the final is one that can be nearly perfected in the course of the next 82 days.
Today: Stop Living Out of Your Inbox
The little ding we receive an email arrives tells our brains to get excited. That little notification gives the brain a squirt of dopamine. Dopamine is a compound in the brain that gives us satisfaction. So even though email may not be the most productive thing to do, brain chemistry leads us to think otherwise.
Studies have shown that nearly 80 percent of email is unnecessary and American workers spend 30 percent of the work week dealing with it.
Working out of the email inbox is one of the least effective ways to get the most important work done. It keeps workers focused on tactical issues and other people’s priorities rather than focusing on our own.
Your three quick steps you can take a break this habit today.
1. Turn Off Your Live EMail Feeds
Rather than being notified every time a message comes in, focus on the most important work. Get to email after the important work is done.
2. Establish Certain Times That Email Gets Checked Each Day
By doing so it will become less of an “ongoing distraction” and more of a managed work task, once the critically important work is done.
3. Change Perceptions
Remember that email is largely other people’s priorities in your inbox. Treat it accordingly. Unless both priorities align, focus on your work projects with the highest rate of return.
Next Week: Stop Hating Monday
Monday gets such short shrift and it’s hard to find a person who doesn’t revile its arrival. And really, it’s not really Monday’s fault, coming on the heels of the weekend and all that.
However, hating Monday sucks a lot of time and energy that can be better spent focusing on the week’s goals. And, it certainly doesn’t make Monday any better.
Next week, learn to stop hating Monday. Try these tips to make your Monday more welcome and loved.
1. Get A Plan For The Week
Monday’s a fresh start, so get a fresh plan. Create a road map for what the week looks like, and build some serious momentum first thing Monday morning. One way to do this is to block Monday morning for being focused and primed for the week.
Avoid Monday morning meetings, as they tend to break down momentum and distract attendees with all the work they are not getting done!
2. See Friday, Now
Once there’s a plan in place, visualize that plan being accomplished. Think of how it will feel on Friday when the plan for the week is wrapped. This will help end the week on a great note, and, make next Monday’s arrival much less dreaded.
3. Plan A Positive Monday Event
Avoid Monday blues by planning something to look forward to. Maybe it’s the perfect time to break out that new outfit, put fresh flowers on the desk, or schedule lunch with a favorite mentor. Putting a “win” in Monday’s column will make it much less dreadful.
By The End Of This Year: Kick Procrastination To The Curb
One of the biggest productivity killers – cause of late work nights, and stress-inducing agents – is procrastination. But there’s still time this year to beat this workplace gremlin.
Waiting to the last minute means there’s no room to go the extra mile. It creates unwanted stress, pressure, and frustration. It’s going to take some time to work on this one, but with 82 days left in the year, it’s doable in 2014.
1. Schedule Your Priorities
Studies show we are far more likely to do something if we actually schedule it on the calendar, and assign a time to do it. Take the most dreaded tasks, and commit to a time to get them done…or at least started.
2. 20 Minute Tracks
Identify a completely dreaded task, and commit to giving it 20 minutes of uninterrupted time. Don’t look up. Don’t check email. Don’t check the mobile.
Once the 20 minutes is up, take a five-minute break, get a treat, and then start again.
Try this: Pick a task you’ve been putting off, and work on it for 20 minutes without looking up. Take a short, five-minute break, and then do it again. This will help form new habits that will, over time, enable great productivity and satisfaction.
Mark Twain said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” Get started with a 20-minute exercise, and see what happens.
3. Get An Accountability Partner
Accountability partners share goals and progress, motivate and encourage. For any habit you’re attempting to kick – but especially for procrastination – an accountability partner can be a huge asset.
Ask them to remind you of stated goals, check in with you regularly and remind you of your goals. Changing big habits can be hard to do alone. Feeling accountable to sharing progress with another person can help make a huge leap forward.
Yes, we all love setting those new resolutions for the blank slate of the New Year. But why not close out 2014 with some great new habits under your belt?
Banner Photo Credit: iStock
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