Business leaders share their top motivational tips for working in January
After all the festive fun, it can be really hard to get back into the swing of working. The cold early mornings can make us want to snuggle further into our beds rather than jumping up to embrace a new day of work.
However, in what feels like the longest month of the year, our bank accounts are shouting for us to get back into the office whether we like it or not - and so are our bosses. Whether you do a 9 to 5 or work flexible hours, going back to work after a break can be a daunting challenge.
In hopes of turning this around, some CEOs and company founders have shared their top motivational tips that may help you get through your sluggish day. With these thoughts in mind, working through January may not be so bad.
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1. Build momentum
When you first start your shift it may feel like you have thousands of tasks to do and no way of managing it all. In order to help you get through them, you should become your own cheerleader and acknowledge all of the things you do manage to get done, rather than focusing on the things you don't.
Aidan Rushby, founder and CEO of fintech firm Carmoola, said: "January is the perfect time to focus on small wins. Break big goals into manageable steps and celebrate each milestone. It builds momentum and keeps spirits high during the post-holiday blues. Progress, no matter how small, is the best motivator for the year ahead.
"Momentum is everything in January. Look at what you accomplished last month and find ways to keep that rhythm going. A small action taken now keeps your progress going and makes the new year feel less daunting."
2. Feel a sense of achievement
As daunting as it may seem, getting a handle on your to-do list early on in the year will set you up for having a more positive mindset as the months continue. If you are able to get things organised and work in chunks, then when you add new tasks to your list it shouldn't look as scary.
Jasmine Wicks-Stephens, CEO of Known agency and Faace skincare, explains that motivation for her is highly linked to having a sense of achievement. However, with having two businesses, along with two children, it can be difficult to feel positive when no two days are the same.
She said: "I always have a long to-do list, with lots of different sections, but each day, I take small tasks for that list and break them down into bite-size chunks that can slot into the time I actually have to do them, selecting the things that really are a priority for that day.
"That way, by the end of the working day, I’ll usually be able to tick everything off that smaller list and have a sense of achievement as everything has been completed, rather than being bogged down by the fact there’s always still so much to be done!"
3. Create an 'Ideas Parking Lot'
The festive period allows a lot of us to mentally log off from work, giving our brains the space and rest it needs. This time means that we now have more room for new creative ideas, but we need to make sure that we don't let all these ideas overwhelm us and derail our focus.
Michelle Noel, founder and CEO at Studio Noel, explains that an 'Ideas Parking Lot' is an online project management board where you can quickly add your ideas and what sparked them. This means the ideas are no longer fizzing around your head.
She added: "It allows me to capture the concept speedily and remember it. I then check this board every quarter and assess what I should explore more. It allows me to not get distracted by a new shiny thing and to remember an idea that could be relevant. Instead, it enables me to focus on what needs to be done.
"I then check the Ideas Parking Lot every three months and assess what will help me achieve my goals and objectives. If these align with any, I look into them further.”
4. Carve out time for 'deep-work' sessions
January is the best time to set goals for the rest of the year, but it can be hard to find time to work on them. Barnaby Lashbrooke, CEO of virtual assistant platform Time Etc, advises that you should pick one 'big goal' a month and block out time each day to do deep session work on it.
During your deep session you should work on one task that moves you closer to your end goal. The most important part of these sessions is to eliminate all distractions. Barnaby explained: "Switch off your phone and put it out of reach, pause desktop notifications and set a timer – a little added pressure from a countdown clock can keep you focused.
"Some people find listening to a soundscape or music helps them find that elusive ‘flow state’, but you’ll need to experiment with what setup works best for you. If you’re struggling to concentrate it might be that the task you’ve set is too overwhelming, so break it down into smaller, more manageable parts."
5. Work with your health
It is well known that fresh air, exercise and the endorphins you gain as a result can help you focus and motivate you as well. CEO of Octopus Money Ruth Handcock says that you should combine exercise and work on the times that you are in camera-off meetings.
She said: "I actually listen better when I’m running and I feel refreshed for the next meeting!"
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