Life is messy – have you noticed this? One big, wibbly and wobbly mess of stuff. It always ebbs and flows and chops and changes. In the Old Testament in the Bible, the ancient nation of Israel used to observe a year of Jubilee. This was a year, every 50 years, if I remember rightly, where everything reverted back to its original family/clan ownership. In part, this was about resetting things back to their original position. Every year, as part of my annual planning, I like to take some time to reflect and instigate the productivity and focus reset.
Throughout the last 12 months a lot has happened. In every period of 12 months, a lot happens. As I reflect, I often find that my focus has shifted. Looking back, I find that my productivity has become a little muddled. So, the productivity and focus reset.
The Focus Reset
This is the most important part. In the reality of life, the things we give our time to are often not the most important things. This is normal. The purpose of the focus reset is to conduct a course correction. What this means is either shifting our current focus to be more in line with out intended focus, or amending our intended focus so it is more up to date with our new and refined priorities. Have you been working more and spending less time with your family? Now is the time to course correct. Has your exercise or diet shifted from what you had intended – course correct. Perhaps you have a new goal in life or circumstances have changed – well then its time to update your intended focus.
The focus reset is an essential part of keeping our actual life aligned with what is important.
The Productivity reset
If the focus reset is all about making sure the planned route is still taking you to the right destination, then the productivity reset is all about making sure the vehicle you travel in is going to get you there. I have talked before about Killing the bloat and pruning the branches. Key parts of any productivity reset. But, there is a bit missing. If your productivity system is what guides you day to day, you have to be sure that it has the capacity to direct you to focus on what matters. For example, if you rely too heavily on a task manager, this may not be enough help you when it comes to building relationships with family and friends.
So, think about what it is that matters to you and what is important. Then ask a very simple question – how can my productivity system direct me to give that time and focus. If the answer is that it cannot, then the productivity reset is needed to provide that capacity, somehow.
As we approach the end of 2023, now is the perfect time, as we consider planning 2024, to engage in the productivity and focus reset.
