Start. Stop. Continue.

Have you picked up any poor habits recently? Maybe you’ve developed some good ones?

Whatever the answer, using ‘Start, Stop, Continue’ is a simple concept that helps you pause and reflect on your normal practices and decide what changes (if any) you want to make. Here are a few suggestions to get you thinking. What would you add to the list – and add it in the comments section below?

What would you like to start doing that is new?

• New activity – going for a walk or riding your bike, making one new contact or calling an existing contact each day, building in 10 minutes of reflection time to your day.
• New pattern – set yourself a goal for each day before you start work, take more regular breaks, allocate a time to speak to colleagues and friends, set times for doing emails.

What would you like to stop doing?

• Distractions – stop checking every message that comes in as soon as it arrives (turn off your notifications!), turn off from work when you are finished and stop working when you should be resting or with your family – working from home does not mean always working when you’re at home. Turn the TV off and stop browsing the internet – schedule times for those activities.
• Procrastinating – make a definite plan that includes those horrible, mundane tasks you don’t want to do – they still need doing. Delegate – if you really can’t face them give them to someone else (admin – or ironing – can be outsourced to a freelancer who enjoys it and you’re free to do what you enjoy instead).

What will you continue doing?

• Identify your good habits – good timekeeping? being organised with your schedule? Focusing on your clients needs despite the pressure? Making new contacts? Keeping up with your personal CPD and reading? Looking for new opportunities (business and personal)?

It doesn’t have to take long to create your own ‘start, stop, continue’ list, but it really helps you focus on your current, personal needs – so expect it to change pretty frequently as your situation and outlook changes; at least once a week would be a great start.