I don’t know about you, but it was nearly impossible for me to be proactive at work last year.
Every week, I would map out my game plan and color-code my calendar. But when I tried to set things in motion, I faced ten-foot barriers that would force me to change direction. I’d have to reschedule meetings, push deadlines back, and reorganize my life because of all the twists and turns. Pivoting became my life, and it was taking over every part of it.
When I think back to 2020, it was like trying to survive the Tour de France blindfolded. By the end of the year, I was worn out, and I was in no mood to organize my 2021 goals. Being proactive was the furthest from my mind. In many ways, I didn’t even want to dream about new projects.
When January 1st entered the scene, I crawled back under my covers and hoped for the best—or at least a year that would be more predictable with less pivoting.
You want to be hopeful for this year, but a part of you is afraid of another year filled with more barriers and you’re tired of trying to survive the chaos. You’re not alone.
Over 100,000 businesses have permanently shut their doors because of Covid-19.[1] Start-Ups aren’t getting a second chance.[2] And according to Pew Research, one in four adults still have a hard time finding money to pay their bills.[3]
This reality is not the most inspiring for those of us who are business leaders. If anything, it feels like the grim reaper is right around the corner to destroy our dreams and add us to the rising number of failed companies.
Being proactive is one of the most challenging things to muster right now. But it is one of the most imperative traits that we need to embrace.
If you want your business to succeed in 2021, you need to be proactive at work. It won’t be easy, but it will be a lot easier with these 4 practical habits that I’ve put together for you. These tools will make all the difference for you and your organization.
Let’s get started.
1. Want to Be Proactive at Work? Don’t Be Busy
Repeat after me: only do what is necessary—no more and no less.
If you’re anything like me, as soon as January 1st comes along, you cram in all your five-year goals into one packed year. You love seeing your schedule filled. But being busy isn’t the same as being productive. Being proactive requires you to take a step back, reevaluate your priorities, and actually take things off of your plate before adding new goals.
The brain is not designed to always operate at full capacity twenty-four hours a day.[4] It needs a break. If we’re constantly immersing ourselves throughout the day with frivolous tasks, then we don’t have time to concentrate on our goals.
This year, I’m taking a break from the chaos and learning to do fewer tasks with more investment.
Think of it this way. Planning takes time. It’s like painting an apartment. Before you can add color to the drab walls of your living room, you have to plan and prep the area. The same is true for being proactive at work.
2. Stop Trying to Run Everyone’s Race
If you want to direct the narrative of your life, you need to take a step back and get rid of the clutter. Figure out what you can delegate and then, focus your energy away from the distractions. Not every email needs a reply, and not every job is right for you.
Shakespeare said it best,[5]
“To thine own self be true.”
These six words need to become your mantra.
If you want to reach your goals this year and be proactive, you need to walk forward with laser focus. If you compare yourself or your business to the next big thing, you won’t contribute anything except a lesser copy of yourself and your organization.
Stop looking around. Your purpose is not to run the race of someone else. If you want to be proactive at work, you need to stop comparing yourself to your neighbor and stick to running your own race. It’s the only way that you’ll win.
3. Make “Essentialism” Your 2021 Word
When you’re figuring out your 2021 goals, take time to weigh the cost. Ask yourself if it’s worth the investment. Being proactive means that you take into consideration all the variables before cementing your goals.
Before you map out your plan or get crazy with those highlighters, ask yourself these two questions:
- Will this goal help create balance in my life?
- Will this goal produce a return on investment?
If you can answer a resounding “yes” to both of these questions, then take these ideas and write them down on a piece of paper.
After you’ve compiled a list of 15 to 20 ideas, take a new sheet of paper and break it into two columns. The first section should contain a list of goals that take priority. These ideas would fall under the umbrella of being trend-related and financially profitable.
The second section should contain a list of goals that will increase your social proof and promote your priority goals. This column drives traffic and promotes awareness of your business and your product.
After you’ve compiled this list, break it in half and cut it down to three goals in each section. Three is the perfect number because it gives you leeway to pivot and bend if you need to make changes throughout the process.
The two excellent tools that have helped me develop a schedule of essentialism are Hilary Rushford’s Elegant Excellence Journal[6] and Jill Konrath’s book, “More Sales. Less Time.”
Both of these tools have helped me focus on what’s important, make the best decisions for my business, and make a profit without sacrificing my health.
4. Order the Same Latte
When you look at the greats in the business world, they all encompass one thing: simplicity.
If you minimize your choices and stick to the basics, you’ll have the ability to save time and focus your energy on decisions that require your creativity. Keeping up with the latest fashion trends not only sacrifices your time but also sacrifices your budget.
Remember, it’s not about looking successful. It’s about making choices that give you the ability to be successful.
Here are four things that you can do to save time to make you more proactive at work:
- Buy multiples of the same outfit and mix and match throughout the week.
- Order the same drink each day from the same coffee shop.
- Prepare meals at the beginning of the week for lunch and dinner.
- Set your alarm for the same time each morning, including weekends.
It’s impossible to be proactive if you feel rushed. But if you follow the four tips that are listed above, you’ll gain more time in your schedule and have more energy to lead your business and operate with a well-organized game plan.
Final Thoughts
I think the majority of us are tired of feeling like we’re contestants in Survivor. After all, who wants to be filmed while living in the woods and surviving off of bugs and tree bark?
All kidding aside. This past year has been challenging. But we can learn a lot from these past twelve months.
If you want to be proactive, simplify your schedule, focus on your path, only take what you need, and be purposeful with your time and energy. Being proactive is not about filling up your schedule. It’s about creating balance in your life.
I know it seems daunting right now, and many of us are still trying to figure out how to pay this month’s rent with spare change from the couch. But if you take the time to prepare and figure out what’s a priority this year, you’ll not only meet your goals, you’ll enjoy the journey.
You have all the tools you need to be proactive at work. Now, go map out your 2021 goals for the year!
More Tips on How to Be Proactive
- 4 Proactive Strategies to Build a Social Life
- Are You Proactive or Reactive?
- Pro-Active Steps to Prevent Procrastination
Featured photo credit: Campaign Creators via unsplash.com
Reference
| [1] | ^ | Fortune: Nearly 100,000 establishments that temporarily shut down due to the pandemic are now out of business |
| [2] | ^ | New York Times: Start-Ups Are Pummeled in the ‘Great Unwinding’ |
| [3] | ^ | Pew Research Center: Economic Fallout From COVID-19 Continues To Hit Lower-Income Americans the Hardest |
| [4] | ^ | Entrepreneur: 4 Ways to Be More Productive, Not Just Busy |
| [5] | ^ | BBC America: 45 Everyday Phrases Coined By Shakespeare |
| [6] | ^ | Elegant Excellence Journal: Elegant Excellence Journal & Workshops |
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