The week between Christmas and New Year’s is typically a quieter time for business unless, of course, you work in an industry that becomes congested at year end, such as accounting.
If you are working this week, it’s a great time to do some clean up. This doesn’t necessarily mean going through those piles of paper that surround your desk (although we know that physical clutter gets in the way of your productivity).
Rather, it’s a good time to clear out some mental clutter through an exercise that I call keep-delete-add. Simply put, it’s time to think through and clarify these categories in your mind and act accordingly.
+ Keep: What’s working for you? Which processes, systems, and behaviors contribute to your success? Activities that fall into this category can be modulated, if necessary. You can ramp up those that work well and turn down the volume on others. Importantly, know what really works for you and make sure that these elements continue next year.
+ Delete: This is the time to commit to getting rid of what doesn’t work. Based on years of doing this exercise with clients, I know that many of the actions that fall in this category are behavioral, such as bad habits that drag you down. Or, you can think in terms of eliminating old habits that no longer serve you.
Implementing this category may take more mental energy than the other two. As creatures of habit, we tend to hold on to things even if they no longer serve us. In this case, once you have an inkling to delete something, feel free to let go with gusto.
+ Add: What do you want to add to your success formula? This can include everything from selectively hiring employees to adding new/improved software to integrating new habits that will help your self-management. You may not be able to do all your wish list at once, but now is a great time to organize your thoughts.
This simple but effective exercise can be a game changer for you. It’s a good exercise to do before formal goal setting because it clears your mental slate and gives you enhanced perspective as you move forward.
And, with that in mind, I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”
– George Eliot
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