There is something about a new school year that feels like a fresh start. Perhaps it’s the annual ritual of buying brand new school supplies, the ones with no scratches or scribbles, or the rapid changing of the seasons.
Whatever it is, it seems odd that we let this new beginning pass without making a change for the better. So in the spirit of fresh starts and making changes for the better, this is a list of new habits to try for back to school:
#1: Sunday Start – Get organized BEFORE Monday morning to give you the best start to the week. Things to think about Sunday night include upcoming meetings and deadlines, key objectives and tasks, and work support systems, like meal planning and household prep!
#2: Focus Forward – Don’t give in to the temptation of trends. Everywhere you turn, there’s a new bright shiny object promising easy success with little effort. Focus your energy and effort on concrete steps that move you forward in your business.
#3: Healthy Start – Put yourself first by starting your day with a healthy breakfast. It’s easy when you get into the swing of things to ‘forget’ to eat something healthy until your afternoon sugar crash has you reaching for your favorite junk food. Don’t leave it to chance – fill the fridge with quick, easy-to-prepare breakfasts!
#4: Fit In Fitness – Either work a workout into your schedule or find creative ways to work it into your day, but whatever you do, do SOMETHING to stay in shape. Don’t leave it until the weekend – promise yourself 20 minutes a day EVERY DAY!
#5: Reinvest in You – Take regular time-out to sharpen your own skills. Read informative books and blogs, research new learning topics and mastermind with other entrepreneurs or a coach. Learning is an investment that will pay dividends for your lifetime,
#6: Maintain Order – Remember, it’s easier to maintain something than it is to get there after you’ve fallen behind! Get in the habit of ‘maintaining’ a clear, clutter-free workspace, an empty inbox and a doable to-do list.
#7: Finish What You Start – Get in the habit of finishing whatever tasks you start immediately. That means no taking ‘breaks’ or switching to another task with the promise of finishing it later. If you start doing it, finish it (or don’t start it to begin with).
#8: Master Your Time – Use your calendar to gain control over your time and avoid falling victim to time bandits by scheduling in everything you want to accomplish that week, including the time you intend to spend tackling your task list.
#9: Measure Your Efficiency – Pay attention to how much time each type of task takes you, looking for tasks that could be handled more efficiently. Is there a gadget or widget you could use to make the task simpler or is it something that you should just plain outsource?
#10: Be Present – Avoid the temptation to multitask to get more done and promise yourself to be present in each and every moment, whether it’s that client meeting or your child’s baseball game.
