As we head in to a new month it's time to review, reflect and plan.
Returning from a Summer break when you've had time off to relax and reset and the start of a new term, is the perfect time to reassess where you are and what you want.
Whether you want to improve your professional life, complete a personal project, or simply organise your daily life, here's how you can make the most of the coming month.
Sunday is a good day to review and plan for the coming week and as it's also the first of
the month, review and plan your month.
Set aside some time, grab your planner and start with ...
Review and Reflect
Before diving into September, take a few minutes to reflect on your past month's achievements and challenges.
- What worked well?
- What
could be improved?
- What do you want to change or do differently this month?
Use this time to refine your strategies and set your key focus for the month ahead. Organise your thoughts and get clear about your
priorities with daily and weekly planning. (Find out more about how to plan your week HERE).
Prioritise with Purpose
Identify the most critical projects or activities that will move you closer to your long-term objectives and allocate your time and energy accordingly.
You probably don't have time to do everything you want to do, so remember the 80/20 rule—focus on the 20% that will give you 80% of the results, and if you need to, delegate or eliminate the rest.
Plan Your Month
When you plan month by month, you're able to create more realistic and achievable goals and it feels less overwhelming. Take your goals for the year and break them down into actionable steps and set milestones and a timeline for each month.
Use digital calendars, project management apps, or good old-fashioned planners (digital or paper) to keep track of your important projects, deadlines, appointments, and commitments. Having a roadmap for the month gives you structure, clarity and purpose, so you’re less likely to procrastinate when you know where you need to focus.
Build Your Daily Habits
Establish daily habits that will enable you to set the tone for a more productive
day. Whether it's your morning routine, daily planning or managing your wellbeing, find activities that help you manage your energy and motivation throughout the day.
Patience, practice and persistence is key. By building good habits into your day, you'll enhance focus, reduce the stress of
overwhelm and feel more in control of your time.
Find time management strategies and methods that resonate with your working style and integrate them into your daily routine. For instance Pomodoro, Eisenhower Matrix etc.
Minimise Distractions
It’s not easy staying focused when you’re constantly getting distracted or being interrupted.
Identify and take steps to minimise any potential distractions that stop you being productive. Whether it's email, message notifications, social media, or a cluttered workspace, Create a distraction-free work environment that works for you, so you can make the most of your productive time.
