Aristotle said these very famous words, we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.

We are still at the beginning of a new year. A year alive with possibilities. Have you set out your word and goals for the year that lies ahead?

If you know your goals for the year, have you divided them into quarterly, monthly and weekly goals?

Why is this so important? Anna Runyan from Classy Career Guide said in one of her newsletters, you need to master your time and how you see productivity. This resonated deeply with me. I am a master procrastinator and a very #99 person. With this mindset I can’t pursue a year of excellence.

When I write this blog, I am rather writing it for myself than for anybody else. We all have the same 24 hours in a day and 365 days in a year. What we do purposeful and intentional in that time is what sets us apart in this world.

Here are five strategies that you and I can implement in this year, that we can live a beautiful and purposeful year.

Have a plan

• As asked above, what is your goals for the year that lies ahead of you?
• How are you going to achieve those goals?

If you don’t have a purposeful and intentional plan, you will just do any task that comes along.

You need to define your goals, very clear and very specifically. Once you are clear about your goals, you need to add them to your calendar, add times to those goals, so that you know when things needs to be done and that you will be able to track your progress.

Remember to celebrate even the smallest of victories.

Please have a look at my resource page. Here you will find a daily planner. You need to fill in the day. Set an intention for the day. Add your morning and evening routine. Then add all the important task and appointments for your day.

Know your priorities

Once you have defined your goals, establish what is the most important tasks of your day. These tasks and priorities should bring you closer to your goals for the year. Once you know your priorities, you can establish the attention, energy and time each priority needs.

Being a mother, my first priority is always my family. Family is also a value in my life. Every decision I make, is weighed against the priority and value of my family.

My second priority is growing my business. Business is not a value in my life, but excellence is. If my business is going to suffer because of other opportunities I will weigh the pros and cons of my choices.

I need to decide then what is urgent and what is important. There will always be urgent tasks, but the important tasks is the ones that should get your attention.

Where your mind goes, your energy flows. Use your energy on the tasks that will bring you closer to your goals and word of the year.

You are in charge of your time

Have you ever heard yourself say, I don’t have enough time in the day? Ugh, I have caught myself numerous times using these exact same words.

We need to use our time more wisely. And that is why it is important to have goals and priorities, otherwise you will just do stuff for the sake it.

We need to become purposefully productive and quit the busyness of life. We all have the exact same minute in every day. How is it that some are more important than others?

They focus on the important tasks. They take charge and responsibility for their time. They are diligent about spending time wisely.

You need to decide what is important and where your want your attention and energy to go.

Create a routine

Having a routine create a safe and sacred space, where your mind, body and soul can relax, because it knows what is coming next.

Have a look at this blog where I discuss in detail about the value of having a routine.

Plan your week

When you go into a new week knowing exactly what needs to be done, it creates the space for purposeful productivity. Have a day, maybe a Friday afternoon when you can have a weekly review.

• Take a look at your calendar or planner, did you accomplish all the goals you set out to do?
• Clean up, organise and get ready to start a fresh new week. Clean out your inbox and delete unnecessary texts, clean up your desk and office. Make sure you are ready for a new week.
• Create a to do list for the following week. List the Top 6 tasks that need to be done in order to bring you closer to your goals. Focus only on priority and important tasks. Schedule it so that it is ready for the week.

Remember we all have the same amount of hours in our days. We all have busy lives and people who are dependent on us. Make the most of the time you have by being purposefully productive, know where you focus and manage the tasks that needs to be done to bring you closer to your goals.

Sonika Krüger is first of all a mother. She is the owner of Flourish* by Sonika, a Life Coach and a teacher.

Flourish* focus on motherhood, lifestyle, personal growth and time management. She shares from her own experiences.

She is available for training and speaking engagements.

Please follow Flourish* by Sonika on Facebook and Instagram.

I would love to hear from you, please share your thoughts, ideas and comments with me.