January is a hectic time of the year. Back to work after an extended break. House is likely to be chaos as the decs come down. Cupboards and fridge are full of less than optimal foods.
But this first week back is more important than you think and how you set yourself up is pivotal for progress over not only January, but for the rest of the year.
So here’s a quick post outlining the three most important steps you should take to ensure you have a solid foundation to build on in 2025.
(Bonus video at the end).
1 - Clear the cupboards.
This extends to the fridge, the freezer and anywhere else those left over xmas treats might be lurking.
And before you cry food wastage, I not suggesting you through everything away. There’s family, friends, food banks that would love to to take these things off your hands.
Failure to eliminate these high sugar, high cal foods now means extend the period in which we’re not progressing.
2 - Master the morning.
I’ve fallen victim to too many presses of the snooze button. Sitting in bed scrolling. Not wanting to face the bitter cold that lies beyond the duvet.
But if this week, you can get into good habits in the morning, it greatly increases your chances of sticking to the plan later in the day.
In fact, a study showed that we’re 30-40% more likely to have a productive day if we have a consistent morning routine.
Get out of bed at the same time every day. Keep phones out the bedroom, adopting alarm clocks instead. Having your breakfast, brushing your teeth, getting that morning walk in.
All these things, done at the same time every morning, contribute to you getting into a pattern of behaviour first thing.
3 - Plan your week out.
Yep, I know, I sound like a broken record. You’ve heard me pipe on about this way too much.
But I recently went back and adjusted my own weekly/daily schedule and since I went back to work 6 days ago, I can’t tell you how much more i’m getting done.
Just sitting down to write these posts in circle community seemed impossible last year.
But I’ve been through my google calendar meticulously. Starting with all the essentials. Family time, gym, meal prep, 1-1 sessions, feedback videos.
Then finding 30-60 minute blocks for the little things, like getting my walks in, writing blog posts, creating content, editing, podcast stuff, messaging clients back.
I’ve even blocked out set windows for breakfast, lunch, evening meal.
Here's an example of today looks...
My day has been running like clockwork and it’s been glorious. I can’t reccomend google calendar (or variations of) enough for mapping out your week in this way.
It’s been a game changer and something I’m continually updating as work and personal life develops.
Yes some days don’t go exactly to plan, things crop up, certain tasks overlap into others. But I have a blueprint that I’m able to fall back on at any point.
If you can implement the three things above, as of this week, you’ll be off to a fantastic start in 2025!
Ryan
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