The new year is here, and while the promise of a fresh start can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming and stressful. Taking care of yourself is paramount during this time. Fighting off stress and anxiety isn’t easy and it can take a toll on your body and your state of mind, so the first thing to do is make sure you’re healthy. After that, Productivity Ninja planning and organization will help you have a great first month of 2017 that leads to a great and profitable year.
Here are a few of the best tips on how to do just that.
Exercise Daily
It may sound difficult, considering how busy work can be when you’re juggling new projects and trying to keep customers (and your employer!) happy, but it’s important to find ways to get in a workout every day. Just thirty minutes of getting your heart rate up each day can help you feel better and stay in good shape, and the bonus is that exercise is a mood booster. Working out can release hormones in your body that make you feel energized and happy, so take a brisk walk during your lunch break, or take up yoga in the morning before work.
Enlist some help
No one can do everything on their own, so don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help now and then. Remember, we might be Productivity Ninjas, but at the end of the day, we’re all humans – not superheroes. Whether it’s from a colleague for a work-related issue or from your spouse or an outside source for something around the house – you won’t regret enlisting some aid to take a bit of the burden off your shoulders.
Prioritize and organize
Make a list of everything that needs to be done and go through it carefully, prioritizing urgent tasks, and moving items that can wait until later in the month or even next month. This will help you prioritize your responsibilities and make the most of your time.
Investing in a good planner can help you, as well. Write down every plan you have for the next few weeks, in detail, and manage your time well. Of course, if you know time management is an ongoing difficulty for you, you may want to enlist the help of a professional by signing up for time management training. The cost of the training will be paid off quickly as you learn to get more done, more efficiently.
Eat well
It’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves when the days are long and busy, but it’s imperative to eat well and avoid skipping meals. Breakfast, especially, is important in giving you the energy you need to get through the day. If you’re rushed for time, set out everything you’ll need for breakfast the night before and pack a healthy lunch for the next day. Tuna, nuts, avocado, whole grains, baked chicken, and steamed veggies are excellent choices when you need a pick-me-up during the day.
What are you doing to guarantee a smooth and successful year? Have you thought of signing up for Time Management Workshops, Email Etiquette Training or giving your meetings some energy back through our Facilitation Training?
By Julie Morris