Is this year going by fast or what?  I feel like I just got used to writing 2010, and here we are in December already. 

While there may be a temptation to coast through to the finish line, there are some things that we can do to wrap up 2010 strong.  Read on for three unique tips – the kind of tips that you probably would not expect a productivity consultant to share.

1)      Put things off until 2011

Yes – you read that correctly.  What can you put off until 2011?

December is an unusually busy month when we consider the urgency to wrap up projects, the extra holiday events and the reduced number of workdays. 

Focus is more important than ever at this time.  Identify your top goals and focus your efforts there. Go with the ‘less is more’ mentality, knowing that you make the biggest impact with your top tasks. 

2)      Sort – don’t do

Productivity is all about getting things done.  Paper-shuffling, updating lists and general organizing does not get things done.

However, investing some time in organizing now can set us up for a very productive 2011.  We save time when we can immediately put our fingers on critical information.  We stay more focused when there are fewer piles.  And we reduce our stress when we have a good system to track all of our outstanding tasks.  (There’s nothing worse than the nagging feeling that I am forgetting something.)

If you are able to block off some time for organizing, you will achieve your biggest impact by:

  • Getting your email inbox under one screen
  • Establishing one central To Do list
  • Organizing your office

Click to view We’re Due for a Simple Productivity Tip  for more tips.

3)      Just say no

You know how the saying goes: “too much of a good thing is a bad thing”.  The holiday season is no exception.  This applies to business (see tip #1 above) and pleasure.

Protect your downtime and you’ll end up enjoying the holidays even more.  You don’t need to go to every holiday gathering.  You don’t have to take advantage of every holiday sale.  And you don’t need to bake everything. 

Take a break and recharge your batteries.  Going for a walk and catching up on your reading is (counter-intuitively) a really productive use of time.  It means that you will be rested and rearing to go for a strong 2011.

All the best over the holiday season!

Ann