As the holiday months start to wind up, we can all feel that 2021 is starting to wind down. Take a peek back at your list of goals and resolutions you made for this year. Are you as far along as you’d hoped you’d be on accomplishing your 2021 goals? If not, have no fear! You still have 60 days left in the year to make as much headway as possible. Using January 1st, 2022 as the goal mark, your last 60 days of the year start on November 2nd, 2021. Finding the right frame of mind to focus these last 60 days of the year takes focus and productivity.
We have 10 tips to boost your productivity and reach those lingering goals in the last 60 days of the year.
1. Set your alarm clock for an hour earlier each morning.
Who couldn’t use an extra hour every day to knock out some goals? Start setting your alarm for an hour earlier than you typically wake up. Don’t hit snooze and use that extra hour to be productive toward your remaining 2021 goals.
2. Drink more water.
Avoid that afternoon slump by making sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day. Lack of hydration can lead to a foggy brain, feeling tired, and a lack of motivation. I’m all for a quick jolt of caffeine to bring you back to life but staying hydrated can do so much more for your productivity.
3. Decide on the goals you want to finish before the end of the year.
Take a red pen to your list of goals and strikethrough any you’ve already completed. Then, be honest with yourself as you examine the remaining goals. With a blue pen, circle the goals you can absolutely achieve by the end of the year. Then, take a yellow highlighter and mark the goals you can reach 50% completion. The remaining goals need to go. I’d recommend using the removed goals as your jumping-off point for 2022 goals.
4. Make your plan.
Now that you know exactly what lies ahead of you for the remainder of the year, make an actionable plan with the goals you know you can attain at least a 50% achievement rate or higher. Looking at a calendar, plot out those remaining goals into smaller tasks across the last 60 days of the year. Use those smaller tasks as appointments with yourself. Don’t quit, cancel or push tasks down the line.
5. Find a support buddy.
Having a partner to keep you accountable and motivated is a great way to ensure you get yourself to the finish line. Ask a friend or family member to participate in the last 60 days challenge with you or simply as a friend to be your supporter who regularly checks in on your progress.
6. Schedule “unfocus” time, too.
It’s not possible to stay focused and on the task at all times and doing so can actually have the reverse effect. Take some time to figure out what your “unfocus” time will include. Maybe it’ll be a walk without music or a podcast, an adult coloring book, a meditation or yoga class. The sky is the limit for unfocusing time, as long as you take enough time to power down your brain for a bit and avoid taking in any information from outside sources.
7. Introduce a new podcast or audiobook on a topic relevant to your goals.
No matter what goal you’re trying to achieve, there is a podcast or audiobook out there on that exact subject. Do some digging and find something to listen to that aligns with your biggest end-of-year goal. For instance, if one of your end-of-year goals is to start or finish writing a book, there are a multitude of great podcasts available for writers. You can also read or listen to a large library of books on writing.
8. Dedicate time to journal your progress.
Sometimes, when we get to the finish line, we forget about the effort and perseverance it took to get us to our completed goals. Take some time to journal your goal progress during the last 60 days of 2021. Then, if you’re feeling behind in 2022, you can turn back to your progress journal and remind yourself that you are capable of completing your goals and resolutions.
9. Celebrate small wins.
When you complete a task, or a series of tasks, allow yourself to celebrate these small victories! Bribing ourselves with small gifts and treats can oftentimes be all the motivation we need to succeed.
10. Don’t quit!
No matter what, keep pushing until the very end! You may just surprise yourself with how much you can still accomplish between now and when the clock strikes midnight for January 1st, 2022.
Need help setting writing goals for 2022? Don’t miss our New Year’s resolutions section!
