By Moira Dunne
Who can believe we are in the 2nd last month of 2018? If you want to end 2018 on a productive high it’s time to focus on what you can achieve.
What are the key things you planned to do this year? What have you not started? What is the most important thing to prioritise in the next 6 weeks?
What Do You Want To Achieve?
With a little planning this can be your most productive time this year. Finish the year on a high and then move into 2019 feeling really positive and productive. Firstly evaluate any existing goals. Are they still important, still relevant? Which is the best one to focus on this year?
Then ask yourself these questions:
- What will it look or feel like to achieve the goal?
- What work do I have to do?
- Do I need help or input from anyone else?
Make A Plan
Plan what you need to do by breaking your goal into smaller sub-goals. Brainstorm each sub-goal to list out the actual tasks required. This can be done simply with using post-it notes, creating a Mind Map or using a Work Breakdown Structure.
Start looking at the tasks to see what can be done when. Are some tasks inter-related? Can you identify milestones or achievements along the way so you can tell you are still on track?
Map your tasks into the weeks left in November and December using a planner like our 2018 Q4 Template.
Don’t Over Plan
Be realistic about how much time you have to work on your goal. You are probably already busy so where and when can you create “extra” time?
Build in some slippage because life will inevitably take over and throw some unexpected things at you.
Be practical. We can’t treat December like a normal month because of all the Christmas activities. So aim to finish your plan mid-December.
Measure & Track Progress
What will change when you achieve your goal? What will be new? Will you start doing something you haven’t done before? Identify some measurable targets and track these.
Capture the date you complete things to compare your Target Time with the Actual Time. If you miss a Target date does it have a knock-on effect on the remaining Targets? Readjust your plan as required.
Acknowledge What You Achieve
By prioritising and planning out your goal you have a higher chance of achieving it. Celebrate if you do end 2018 on a Productive High! And even if all the work does not get done you will have completed more than if you had no plan at all.
And because of your plan you know exactly what tasks are left. So you are more likely to complete this work early in 2019.
Find What Works For You
Like all our productivity tips at beproductive.ie we recommend that you: 1) tweak our suggested approach to find what works best for you and 2) stretch yourself so you can achieve new things.
So I hope you end 2018 on a Productive High. Let us know how you get on. And of course please share any other ideas, tips or tools in the Comments below.
