Make each day the best possible

We can take such a routine approach to our work that each day achieves little. But success comes from even small but consistent and systematic daily improvements. Here are tips.

Have a goal for the day: Not all goals have to be long term. You can and should have a clear goal for each day. It will give you the focus you need and the reference point from which you can decide how you handle tasks.

Decide how you’ll judge the day: Know how you will assess whether the day has been successful or not. Have a ‘dominant’ result in mind so that as you determine from the start what activities will deliver this so that you make enough time to do them.

Standardise the routine activities: Whatever your core daily tasks are fix specific times each day to do these. For example you could decide first thing in the morning to check mail from your manager as there are likely to be things you have to act on urgently.

Take challenges in your stride: You may plan everything meticulously but expect that not everything will necessarily go exactly according to plan. Manage things to go well but build in some slack for troubleshooting for when things threaten to go off track. Don’t be immobilised by unexpected obstacles or waste time complaining.

Be disciplined and decisive: Don’t let distractions take over. Identify where the timewasters and what I call side-trackers are and nip them in the bud. Don’t linger when you have a decision to make. Take it or postpone it if you must but don’t ‘camp’ on it and leave things hanging without a good reason.

Do a review: Use the last 10 minutes of each day to reflect on what went well, what didn’t and why. What could you have done differently to get even better results that day? Pat yourself on the back for what was achieved and use what you learn about what you can improve to make tomorrow better.

Now take action: What one thing can you do to improve your day?