How To Maximise The Last 60 Days Of 2020

How to maximise the last 60 days of 2020.

“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning and focused effort.” – Paul. J. Meyer.

2020 has been an unusually challenging year. There have been more disruptions to our routines than ever before, and it has been very easy for many of us to be thrown off-course.

I am a firm believer that with clear intention, planning and focused effort, there is a lot that can be accomplished in 60 days. You can either write-off the rest of the year and wait for 01 January 2021 to roll around, or you can make a commitment to maximising the last 60 days and making a real impact.

If you are wanting to maximise the last 60 days of 2020, here are some strategies that can help you achieve great outcomes.

1. IDENTIFY 2-3 KEY NEEDLE MOVING ITEMS

Before you make hundreds of commitments and fill up your social diary, it is important to first understand your priorities. What are you trying to achieve between now and the end of the year? What are the key needle-moving items that once accomplished, would make you feel as though you’re on top of the world? Ask yourself:

“What are the top 2-3 priorities that I absolutely must complete in the next 60 days?” 

“What are the items which I am feeling the most fear or resistance around?” 

“If this item does not get done, what would be the outcome / impact?”

Ensure that you schedule in time in your calendar to prioritise these tasks. I recommend working on the difficult, important tasks first thing in the morning while your mind is fresh and free of distractions.

2. CREATE STRUCTURE

As Jocko Willink says, “discipline equals freedom.” This may seem counter-intuitive for some, however when motivation dissipates, discipline is what kicks in.

There is real merit in setting a structure that works for you. Structure enables you to be more productive and intentional with your time. It enables you to block out time for focused work and clean rest. You can read more about how I create structure and routine here.

3. BE INTENTIONAL WITH SOCIAL EVENTS

Understanding the difference between busy and productive is essential if you want to maximise the last 60 days of 2020. With festive season fast approaching, it is very easy to fill up our schedules with social events and tasks that aren’t in line with our objectives. That’s not to say you shouldn’t enjoy end of year events, however there is merit in first identifying what are the key 2-3 needle moving items you must achieve between now and 31 December 2020. You can then plug in social events and other ad-hoc requests around those priorities.

Take a conscious, considered approach when it comes to committing to social events. What are the things that really matter to you, and what are some of the things you can forgo? For example, I will say yes to family, a select number of close friends and work-related events that fall on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday evening or Sunday, but no to anything that falls between Monday – Wednesday. I also have a strict no coffee meeting policy, or to meetings that don’t have a clear agenda. This means, I am saying yes to things that matter to me and are in line with my calendar, but no to the things where I derive little value.

HOW TO MAXIMISE THE LAST 60 DAYS OF 2020

How do you intend on spending the last 60 days of 2020? I would love to hear your thoughts, please leave your comments below!