It’s not too late to organize some useful resolutions for 2012 and get them into play. Want to make your work more productive? Just stop doing these six things:
1. Taking on unprofitable work.
We’re not talking about pro bono or other volunteer effort, we’re talking about projects, clients, etc. that cost more in time and trauma than they generate in dollars. Your mental health has value, too, you know. If you aren’t going to be fully compensated, just say no.
2. Pretending your business doesn’t need the cloud.
It’s here. Get with it, or be prepared to step out of the way or be trampled by your smarter and more up-to-date competition.
3. Adhering to pointless priorities.
Just because you’ve always done something doesn’t make it the most profitable thing to do. Put everything on the “priority table” and then think about which activities are actually important, given your scheduling time frame. Are your traditional “obligations” a valuable expenditure of your time or merely senseless habits? Prudent time management applies to both your professional and personal life.
4. Trying to absorb every piece of new information out there.
Being well-informed is certainly good, but no one needs to know everything. And, face it, even if you read yourself blind there’s just too much out there. Besides, it’s not all about work. Being “well read” includes non-business content, and reading can be very relaxing, allowing your mind to go somewhere else for a while. So pour yourself a glass of wine, put your feet up . . . and unsubscribe to all but the most critical business publications.
5. Letting technology rule your work day.
Believe it or not, you do not have to open your email the second an icon pops up. You can’t ignore colleagues because it’s rude and potentially risky if they actually need your attention. But waiting to check messages every couple of hours is plenty timely while letting you maintain concentration and be more productive.
6. Spending so much time on social media.
One of the big trends for 2012 is cutting back on social circles and overall social networking activity. It’s not going away, people just want to regain control of their lives. You should, too. So be trendy and embrace “less is more.”
Do some of these ideas make you nervous? Try them and see what happens. 2012 could be your Year of the Big Ah-Ha.
