Productivity and good time management can be gifts you give yourself. As we move into a new year, make sure you’re clear about why maximizing your time really matters.
The beginning of a new year is a natural time to assess your goals and priorities. As you do, think about your “whys” as well. Why does this goal matter to you? Why do you want to prioritize X more than Y this year?
When you’re struggling with time management in any one area of your life, everything is affected. Time management problems at work bleed into your personal life, and vice versa.
If you’re not actively catching up on work while you’re supposed to be “off,” you’re still carrying that stress while trying to enjoy your downtime.
If you’re not managing your time well in regards to your family, volunteer commitments, or something else on the personal side—that’s going to bleed into your business.
You probably can’t be fully present (and maximally productive) in every part of your day if you’re not in control of your time.
Time is a big stressor for most professionals. Time scarcity can be overwhelming to reckon with, which only makes time management harder.
It’s easy to get stuck in a mental loop with your internal voice saying things like:
- “There’s not enough time to get this all done…”
- “What am I going to do?”
- “Why am I always running out of time?”
- “I swore I was going to do things differently but I’m out of time again…”
Now you’ve spent all these minutes panicking about how much you could be getting done. Instead of, you know, actually getting some things done that would move your business forward and let you wrap up your day in time for dinner.
Lots of things feel uncertain in the world. Events happening outside your control are already stressful enough.
You deserve to protect your peace. To not get swept away by stress.
To be fully present when you’re spending time with your loved ones, and to be fully present at work too.
Remember that as you think about everything you want to achieve in this next year. There’s so much that’s possible for you in the year ahead. Being clear about how you’re going to prioritize your time lets you work productively and move forward with decisive direction. And, hopefully, with a sense of joy about what you’re going to do with the next 12 months. There are plenty of bright spots, good surprises, and highlights (both professional and personal) coming your way in 2026.
Three Ways to Align Joy with Productivity in January
#1: Connect with other humans through something that feels productive and meaningful.
Isolation and loneliness are rampant in our culture right now. Per the American Psychological Association’s 2025 Stress in America study, more than half of adults feel lonely and isolated from others. We’re social beings and need interaction with others to feel a sense of community. So in January (already a bleak time of year), try putting some time into an activity that feels joyfully productive and involves other people. Join a book club that reads the kinds of books you’d love to read but never make time for. Volunteer with an organization that works with isolated seniors in your area. Organize weekly meet-ups with friends to co-work around the same table.
#2: Create planning strategies that you actually enjoy.
Routine maintenance is a vital part of a good time management system. You’re going to need to sit down and do your weekly planning and check in with yourself about how your systems are working. If you have to regularly make time for that routine, make it something you look forward to by tying it to something fun. For example, you might decide that every Sunday night you’re going to look at your plan for the week ahead while sitting in a bubble bath. Or, make it a tradition that you take yourself out to a coffee shop and treat yourself to a decadent drink whenever you need to work on your schedule.
#3: Clear your workspace of unnecessary stressors and distractors.
The physical spaces where you spend your days should be set up to support peaceful productivity. If that doesn’t already describe your workspace, look for ways to make it feel more welcoming—to you, and you alone. Upgrade your chair if you need to. Clear out the stacks of clutter if they make you anxious. Change the placement of your desk so you get more morning sun. Add more lights, more plants, more art—or strip everything back and try out clean minimalism for a bit. It’s all about figuring out what sensory elements are going to draw you in and make you feel warm and at home.
Connect with me for more support with time management planning for the new year.
You know you want to take control of your time next year. But do you have a clear idea of how, exactly, you’re going to do that? What are you going to do differently? How are you going to create the habits and routines that actually let you feel at peace with how you spend your time each day?
Let me share some practical steps you can implement right away:
#1: Set your New Year up for success with my upcoming webinar: Weekly Planning That Works. Join me on Tuesday, January 13th at 12:30 ET for this free 60-minute training.
#2: A new session of my 90-day Time Matters Boot Camp starts on January 26th, 2026! Click here to learn more about Time Matters Boot Camp. If you’re interested, schedule a time to talk with me directly at no cost to see if you are a fit. Click here to schedule a free consult with Sarah.
- Connecting Joy and Productivity in the New Year - December 13, 2025
- Three Things to Do Now to Set Yourself up for Success for 2026 - November 19, 2025
- Overwhelmed? Here’s How to Stay Productive Between Now and Thanksgiving - October 22, 2025
