6 Hacks To Get Ahead In The New Year

It’s my favorite time of year. Everyone’s plotting their fresh start, dreaming big, and setting goals. Ahhh – it’s a great place to be. But not everyone knows how to take advantage of what can feel like a slow ramp up to the New Year. So, for anyone who wants to get off to a running start accelerating your success, here are six hacks you can put to use immediately.

1. Do a brain dump.

You know all that chatter in your head outlining all the things you need to take care of? Dump it out. All of it. Errands, bills, work obligations, family engagements … Write it all down on a piece of paper. Then divide everything into two buckets: 1) what you’re going to do now and 2) what will wait until later. That’s it. Get it out of your head, make a decision, and move on. That’s a skill successful people master.

2. Post content.

Right now, everyone is looking for inspiration. Take advantage of early 2017’s captive audience by posting some great content that will benefit your personal brand, company, or side hustle. Get writing!

3. Go after the big dogs.

Who are your dream people? When I say “dream people,” I mean: Who are those people out there who, if you knew them, could definitely help accelerate your success? It’s more than likely that many of those people are just a few circles removed from your personal network. The new year often provides some time you normally don’t have before everyone is truly back in full swing, so use this window to craft a plan to get in contact with your dream people. If you need guidance on where to start, here is how to draft a great outreach email.

4. Stop and smell the roses.

One of the biggest secrets to success is gratitude. Truly reflecting on the abundance of valuable people and things you already have in your life and truly feeling the immense joy that comes along with recognizing this. Being grateful is a habit to master every single day, all year round. And while you’re giving thanks for what you already have, don’t forget to reach out to those special people who’ve helped you along the way. Maintaining great relationships with people who can support your growth can make all the difference when it comes to building both personal and professional success.

5. Strategize.

I once read that a key to success is having the ability to focus while others are distracted. This is spot on. While most people interpret Thanksgiving or December 1 as the time of year when they should begin checking out, some of the most successful people I know recognize that this break can actually be the perfect time to double down. Take some time to strategize how you can set yourself up to have a strong January.

6. Finally, stop working.

Yeah, I know – I seem like a hypocrite right now. But trust me. What I’m saying is not counterintuitive. There is an important reason holidays, vacations, breaks, and other respites exist: You are a human being, not a machine. Sorry to break it to you, but you (and I) weren’t built to go nonstop. Adequate rest and time to recharge is vital to your long-term sustainability and overall creativity and productivity. It’s been recorded time and time again that the most successful people master turning work off and on. So once you’re done with hacks one through five, make sure you unplug, relax, and reflect. Spend time with your loved ones – because without them, life just isn’t all that great anyway, no matter how successful you become.

Image courtesy of Yemi Adewunmi

A version of this post originally appeared on Medium. It is adapted and republished with permission. Follow @mandelash on Twitter for more advice.