The 3 most productive ways to jump start 2013
The first few days of a new year are exciting and inspiring. Everyone wants to jump start 2013 and get going. The gyms are full, the offices are busting with momentum and the goals are set all over town.
So, it may come as a surprise that I suggest you move with caution, instead of sprinting right out of the starting line. Take a few days to really analyze what you will be sprinting to in order to successfully jump start 2013. Here is what I suggest:
Stop production. I know you’re excited to start on those projects you decided to take on a few days ago. But before you do, ask yourself the following questions:
How long will the project take?
Do I have the available time to make it happen?
What is the ultimate purpose of me completing this project?
Will it get me closer to my ultimate goal?
Take inventory of your year. You may have done this already in the last days of 2012 but if you haven’t, make sure you do before moving on. Journal specifically on these questions:
What happened in 2012 that pushed you to be braver, stronger and more productive?
What events disappointed you and how did you learn from them?
If you don’t already have a journal, buy one and use it exclusively for this purpose. It’s great to go back every year and see how much you’ve evolved.
Who do you want to be in 2013? There is a distinct difference between setting goals for the new year you can check off as completed and choosing how you want to feel in 2013. In a world where everything moves at lighting speed, we value projects and tasks more than feelings.
Instead of making a list of things to accomplish, make a list of how you want to feel. While doing this exercise, I discovered I want to feel at peace, I want to feel in control of my decisions and I want be grateful. Knowing that will help me make decisions towards becoming what I want to feel, instead of what I want to check off.
As you jump start 2013, remember that productivity is not only about fast accomplishments and to-do’s but about clarity and focus. The more time you take to find clarity, the more productive you will be. What better day to do that than today?
Happy New Year! May 2013 be your most productive year! Don’t forget to leave your comments below. I love to hear from you.
