Around this time last year, I wrote this in my diary because I was overwhelmed and desperately needed change.
For years, I thought that hustling harder was the key to success. If I just did more, launched more, and worked more, I’d finally feel on top of all of my plans and ideas.
That’s not what happened. Business grew but looking back I know I could have done it faster and that I’d be way ahead of where I am right now.
In the end, I felt unmotivated with a to-do list that looked like a novel.
So last year, I flipped the script, wrote this diary post and I stopped trying to do everything and focused on streamlining what really mattered and felt good.
Usually after January and February have passed, I get a little time to reflect on what worked well, what I can improve on what I won’t be doing again so here’s where I got to with last year’s review…
- I stuck to not using up my Monday’s for admin and marketing related stuff.
This made such a difference to my client workload. I got it done and in between I could get these little bits and bobs done for my own business. - I worked less but accomplished more.
Not because I magically discovered more hours in the day (if only!). It was because I rested more and gave myself time to look after me which could be why I wasn’t constantly ill last year.
Simplicity beats wild frantic sprinting and late nights. Every. Single. Time. - I kept on top of my accounts.
My aim was to do it every couple of weeks which I started to do then I decided to do it every week. There were times during the year, where it was 3–4 weeks where I wasn’t on top of it, which were always around the holidays. But I stuck to this and my accounts are up to date and I feel way better knowing where I’m at with income, expenses and if I’ve saved enough tax for the year so far. - I stopped fighting with myself about where I was working.
I have an office outside of the house and some months I felt like I wasn’t using it enough when I wasn’t well or it was the school holidays. I realised that was mostly because it was still new ish to me to have a place fo work and it was my biggest expense
I used my monitor at home some times when I was really struggling to work on a laptop (task dependent) but that’s reduced massively as I now plan the tasks that I need complete quiet / zero distraction for the days when I know I am going to be there.
Throughout the year, I was in my office most days which has definitely made me more productive. - I’m still walking pretty much everywhere.
We haven’t bought another car yet as we decided to put all our focus on saving for a house and I’m really happy with that. Walking is my only exercise and I feel great for doing it. A two mile walk after work is sometimes what I really need to wind down.
After writing this post I felt like there was space in my brain and I’m at a point now, where there is even more. I feel really creative, I’ve got big projects off the ground.
My only downfall was my lack of marketing but I need to take that break I think to be able to get to this point.
Here’s some things that worked for me last year on top of these small tweaks. Maybe these will work for you too…
Ruthlessly prioritise.
Not everything is worth your time. I started asking myself:
- Is this task moving the needle?
- Does it align with my goals?
- Does it fit with my word of the year
If the answer was no, it got cut. Simple as that.
Focus on what drives results.
For me, this meant getting my backend systems in check, automating repetitive tasks, and only saying “yes” to projects that fit my big vision.
What’s one thing you’re doing right now that you could automate or even stop doing altogether?
By letting go of the fluff, I freed up time, energy, and mental space. And you know what happened? I had more room to focus on the really important stuff.
Here’s my takeaway: simplify first, then enjoy a sprint (if you even need to).
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, I want to invite you to do the same. Take one task, process, or project, and ask yourself: How can I make this easier?
You don’t need to do more to succeed. You just need to focus on what matters and feels good at that point in time.
What’s one thing you’re ready to simplify this year?
