Write, Reflect, Focus & Repeat
4 Simple Secrets Successful Development Professionals Know That Help Them Avoid Year-End Overwhelm
By Brooke Hein
As the year comes to a close, the positive glow of the holidays can fade as demands increase and it seems there is never enough time. At the Artful Asker, we always talk about creating repeatable systems and how this can help us manage our time, and thus our stress, better.
Here are 4 ways you can avoid year end stress. Make them a habit, almost like “Lather, rinse, repeat”.
Write. When it comes to your to do list, do not try and remember it all. Set yourself up for success and make sure you write everything there is to do in one central place! This is what I call a “brain dump”. Writing a 5-page master to do list that drops to your feet and rolls out the door may seem like wasted time, but I guarantee you will find yourself more focused and successful in everything you do (with a better night’s sleep, too!). As you check things off of your never-ending to do list, make sure you write about it in your Success Journal! Not only does writing about your incredible accomplishments put you in a positive frame of mind, it gives you the ability to see how far you have come. Document it! You ARE amazing!- Reflect. Take a moment to pull out your Success Journal (or start one) and review the things that you have accomplished this last year. It’s crucial to your success to stop and give yourself credit for everything that you are capable of and all of the extraordinary things that you do! Reflect on the people who have supported you along the way, who have impacted your life or who always put a smile on your face. Carve time out of your week and give thanks to these people.
- Focus. It’s important to remember that your donors, your paperwork and those crucial conversations will still be there in January. December is the absolute worst time to try and tie loose ends…for everyone! This month, focus on what really needs to be done. What are priorities and what can wait? Make a list. Strategically postpone certain things for January, a time when things have settled down and you can maintain your authenticity and focus.
Repeat. Every successful and effective development professional knows the importance of writing, reflecting and focusing in order to be successful in the office and in life. They also know it’s important to do these things all year long, not just at year-end. Create repeatable systems and routines to avoid the year-end overwhelm and stress. You will be amazed at how easy it is to replace anxiety and nervousness with peace and joy by simply writing, reflecting, focusing and repeating.
May the New Year bring you incredible success and happiness in everything that you do! Thank you! Invest in joy!
–Brooke Hein, Artful Asker Director of Operations
