Now that the holidays are over and the dust has settled, the time has come where we must get back into the mindset of work.

 

While it will certainly be a struggle for some, it’s a great chance to be proactive and prepare to take on the year in style, and work towards some of those much sought after new year’s resolutions.

 

It’s Sunday afternoon and you’re beginning to get the Monday fever. With no clear plans for the evening in sight, why not take the free time and begin preparations for your working day?

Firstly, take a seat and consider all the possible things that you might need for tomorrow. A healthy salad to fuel your body during tomorrow’s afternoon lunch? Fresh, ironed out clothes? Well now’s the time. Benjamin Franklin once said, "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail".

Secondly, start with the big rocks. Do the hardest/longest task first and once that is out of the way the easier/smaller tasks will begin falling into place. This is a natural motion that keeps you going and keeps you productive.

Thirdly, repeat this step every night before work to keep yourself productive and ready for the following day. This method reduces your stress and helps you manage time better.

You’ve mastered the three basic steps to being prepared, now it’s time to turn it up a notch and practice managing your time. Judging by the 21st century standard you’re most likely working a 9-5/6 job, which means you get back home at around 5pm or 6pm, and have a few hours to kill before its time for bed. In that spare time, you can fit in an hour or two at the gym,  have an evening meal and prepare for the next day, or if you’re clever you would have prepared for 2-3 days in advance. Afterwards you have a few hours to spare to yourself, whether it's on Netflix or other recreational activities.

Now this may sound simple on paper, but it isn’t. It takes strong willpower and dedication to maintain a healthy, time kept routine. Many people call this living from weekend to weekend, and it gets easier the more time you spend practicing it.

Steady now, you’ve been working hard for quite some time now, so don’t forget to give yourself some holiday. Not everyone’s psyche is designed to outlast the grind so remember it’s okay to cut yourself some slack and book time off, a week or two off never hurt anybody.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you get through 2018. On a positive note, don’t forget to fit your new year’s resolutions in-between all that free time!