Are you busy and driven by what needs to be done right now? Is your list of projects long? Do you feel you always run out of time to get the best result?
If this describes the way you work, it is time for a little reflection. Pausing occasionally and thinking about the future outcomes you want to achieve can help you reach those goals. Having a clear picture of your destination makes getting there easier. Without taking the time to create that vision, you might find yourself drifting from your main journey.
If there was one best practice to help in this regards, everyone would learn it, and everyone would use it. Unfortunately, one solution does not work for everyone. Only through practice will you find what works for you.
There are a few things I do to help me. Maybe some of this will also help you.
1. For longer term projects spend 10 or 15 minutes every day to make some progress. It is easy to procrastinate when a deadline is six months away, but for me, the result is better if I spend just a bit of time working towards that deadline.
2. Before you spend too much time towards your goal, clarify it. Sit back and think about what success looks like. Develop a plan to achieve the specifics of that vision.
3. Know what is important today, tomorrow, next week, and next month. Keeping the deadlines for your responsibilities starts with knowing the expectations. If you are given a task, make sure you ask about the deadlines.
4. Minimize distractions and trivial tasks. Delegate, eliminate, and delete what you can. Then sharpen your focus on the few and important things that will matter.
Some days, it is easier to list this than to actually do them. But with practice, it does get easier. What methods do you use to stay on track?