At the start of the year we are most motivated to achieve our goals. And yet, within a few weeks we fall behind and soon many of us completely abandon our goals. Sadly, we slip back into our old habits.

We get a lot of advice about making goals and creating to-do lists, but not enough about the details of actually getting things done.

There are a number of techniques that have worked for others.

Let’s start with the tips you know but do not do,

according to Donald Latumahina from Life Optimizer

1. Rise early
2. Start with the most important task
3. Do not multitask
4. Prevent interruption
5. Actually do what you need to do

Begin from the inside

Meditation, exercise, breathing and even sleep increase productivity
according to the crew at ritholtz

Clean up your website, starting with your pressroom

Joan Stewart, the Publicity Hound, suggests you get out the dust mask
and even Shop-Vac to create an online pressroom you can be proud of.

You’ll want to update old photos, phone numbers, fax numbers, awards,
and other items that are covered with cobwebs.

Read the whole article here.

Monitor daily progress

1. Patterned after a technique used by comedian Jerry Seinfeld, read the description here.

2. Another take on the Seinfeld calendar from Neville’s Financial Blog.

Work on small chunks or a bit a day

1. Look at how New York writer, Jack Cheng, recommends learning in small chunks in 30 Minutes a Day.

2. Try time blocking says Timo Kiander.

Maybe a productivity app for your smart phone will suit you

1. Here are the 15 really popular iPhone productivity apps

2. Here are the 10 great Android apps for productivity.

Finally, in case some important tips weren’t already covered, check out these 10 laws of productivity