The new year begins is a great time to reflect, realign, and reset our productivity habits. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative professional, or someone seeking balance, the goal is to work smarter—not harder. When it comes to a productivity reset, it’s easy to fall into the monotony of crossing tasks off, when the goal is finding purpose in our daily actions, leveraging strategic tools, and fostering meaningful collaborations.

At TARRA, we are committed to your growth, and your success is our mission. Our members are experts at approaching productivity in innovative, purposeful, and impactful ways. From collaborative networking to embracing slow living, here are six tips from TARRA and TARRA members to help you be productive and thrive this year.

1. Reflect and Realign: Set Goals with Intention

We all have to start somewhere, and reflecting on the previous year’s successes and opportunities is the perfect starting point. Ask yourself what worked well and what didn’t the previous year. Consider your achievements and challenges, then realign your goals based on what matters most to you now. Use tools like vision boards, goal planners, or even a simple journal to map out your aspirations.

Pro Tip: Divide your goals into short-term and long-term objectives. This clarity will keep you motivated and ensure that your daily actions contribute to your bigger purpose.

2. Collaborate for Success: Networking for Big Wins

Shared by Serin Silva, Leadership Coach 

Productivity doesn’t always mean working solo. Collaboration can amplify your efforts and lead to unexpected opportunities. Take inspiration from Serin’s story:

“Collaborate with your fellow TARRA folks by attending events and meeting people! I started attending the Bridge Network for Coaching Professionals and connected with Heather Pridemore, Kemi Oyesiku, Rose Evelyn, Leslie Newell, and Liora Dudar. Through our meetings, we decided to pitch a group session for Denver Startup Week. The result? A seamless presence and a sold-out audience for our panel, Why Won’t They Just Do Their Jobs. This collaboration not only boosted our visibility but also led to new client leads!”

Takeaway: Make time for networking. Attend events, engage with your community, and consider group projects. The relationships you build could spark new ideas and unlock future opportunities.

3. Declutter Your Space, Declutter Your Mind, Leaving Unproductivity Behind

A cluttered space often leads to a ‘cluttered mind’, making it harder to focus and stay productive. Organizing your workspace—whether it’s your desk, office, or digital files—can immediately impact your mental clarity and overall efficiency.

Start small by clearing off your desk or decluttering a single drawer. Create a system for organizing paperwork, cables, or supplies, and tackle digital chaos by deleting unnecessary files and organizing folders. 

Pro Tip: Adopt a “one-in, one-out” rule for physical items. Every time you bring something new into your space, remove something you no longer need. This practice prevents mess from building up over time and keeps your work area functional.

4. Embrace Strategic Energy Management

Shared by Acey Holmes, Founder of BoredLess

Maximizing productivity isn’t just about managing your to-do list—it’s about managing your energy. Acey emphasizes the importance of integrating play and recovery into your routine:

“Incorporating micro-breaks for playful release can significantly improve focus and innovation. Whether it’s stepping outside, jotting down creative ideas, or stretching, brief pauses help transition your brain from struggle to flow—an optimal state for deep work. Equally essential is recovery time. Just as physical training requires rest, mental recovery is critical for sustained focus and problem-solving.”

Pro Tip: Prioritize recovery time and playful breaks. Don’t know where to start? Acey created The Playful Strategies Deck, a 52-card toolkit designed to help you tackle life’s challenges with creativity, resilience, and a playful mindset. Each card offers a quick, actionable technique to reframe challenges and spark new ideas.

5. The Power of Doing Less—With Purpose

Shared by Cynthia Moss, Founder of Best French Forever

What if productivity wasn’t about doing more but about doing less? Cynthia Moss, founder of the slow-living brand Best French Forever, challenges us to rethink our approach:

“In Provence, life slows down, and every action—from preparing a meal to walking through the village—feels infused with purpose. Imagine applying this philosophy to your daily routine. Instead of focusing on quantity, prioritize quality. Ask yourself: Does this align with what matters most to me?”

Start the year by living with purpose, transforming productivity into intentional living. 

6. Break Big Tasks into Small Steps

Shared by Sarah Rubinson Levy, Founder of Sarah Rubinson Consulting and Contracting

Feeling overwhelmed by a long to-do list? Sarah offers a simple yet powerful strategy:

“Break down your to-do list into small, manageable tasks. For example, instead of writing a ‘newsletter,’ break it into steps:

• Draft an outline of the newsletter content
• Write an introduction
• Update your mailing list
• Format the newsletter
• Share it’s content on social media

Often, our biggest problem with productivity is not knowing where to start or feeling like tasks are too big to tackle. By breaking them down, you create a clear roadmap for progress.”

Pro Tip: Small, actionable steps keep you focused and make large projects feel achievable.

How Do You Reset for the Year Ahead?

We’ve shared tips from TARRA members, but we know there are countless ways to boost productivity and focus. What strategies do you swear by to start the year strong? Share your tips with us, and we might include them in a future edition of this blog!