Recent research suggests that compared to last year Irish people are working an extra 6-10 hours per week with only 32% stopping to take a full lunch. Despite countless articles written each year aimed at helping create balance and quality in life, we are still overworking and expecting to achieve more. We all know that when we burn the candle at both ends, productivity decreases and we are left overwhelmed, overworked, overstressed and overcommitted.

Yes, it’s the holiday season and of course a break from the norm will recharge your energies, but in terms of yielding sustainable improvements in productivity the benefits may only be short lived.

In order to enhance productivity in the long term, you need to maintain and develop the greatest asset that you have – yourself. It’s essential that you take time to refresh your skills, enhance your knowledge and develop your mental capabilities. Take time to tap into the potential you always knew you had. Read a book, listen to a great speaker on audio or attend a programme focused on developing your potential.

Ensure that you are sharp enough to deal with all the obstacles that the recession is throwing at you. Invest in yourself so that you are physically charged and mentally alert. You will then be able to step back and work effectively on your business and not in your business. Assess if your fire is burning out and add some spark to it again. Recharge, reignite and reenergise and be the best you can be.

One of the most important factors in determining our success in life is our attitude.

William James an American psychologist and philosopher captured the fundamental significance of attitude in his profound words "The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind."

Attitude is a mental state relative to what we believe and affects our entire lives. We express our attitude in our words and actions. It is a habitual way of thinking that can either lean towards an optimistic or pessimistic viewpoint.  Whether your thinking is “full-glass” or “empty-glass” in nature, you have the ability to choose your own attitude.

Attitudes are greatly influenced by association which means they are contagious. The best way to develop a positive mental attitude is to surround yourself with optimists.  Positive people have a magnetic influence which attracts help and support that assist them in achieving their goals.  They have developed a ‘can do’ attitude and a resilient nature that propels them forward.

Once you begin to condition your thinking, you will develop a positive mental attitude that will greatly accelerate your future success.

Today marks Barack Obama’s 100th day in office with his achievements measuring up to our expectations. He has planted and nourished seeds of optimism and already he is reaping “green shoots of growth” and “glimmers of hope”.

100 days is a good landmark measure for all of us. It’s approximately 3 months and just as the farmer prepares for each season, we can sow the seeds and later gather the harvest.  Is there something you would love to achieve in a season? What would you do in 100 days if you knew that you would be successful?

Barack Obama has transcended very real constraints in 100 days in an office described as the most powerful in the world. You too can achieve remarkable results in 100 days. Begin today. Be specific about what you want to achieve and remember to mark the calendar and reap your harvest in 100 days.