Do you find yourself overworked or stressed all the time because no matter how many hours you put in very little seems to get done? So how do you keep the emails and paperwork from piling up while still finding enough time to make every meeting? You prioritize. Abiding by these simple rules can help you complete a large amount of work in a single day while avoiding stress.
Results over Hours
Remember that it’s not about how many hours you put in but about what you achieve in the time you have. Set yourself goals and tasks each day by keeping a list and adding jobs to it as you go along each day- a running list. This way you have a clear idea of what needs to be done and you can start immediately, crossing off tasks as you go along. If you need help staying organized and want to know exactly what you have to do each day, you can use a TO-DO app for you mobile phone or software for your PC. There are plenty of them on the web, most of them are free so give it a try. You can check out this list with the 10 best to-do apps that will help you master your tasks.
Priority First
Focus on ROI (return on investment) in other words put your most important tasks ahead of others and don’t allow yourself to be distracted by anything else. This is where your “to do” list will come in handy, keeping you on track. Don’t slack off by starting the day with simple tasks, tackle the most difficult first, that way you’re more likely to get more done.
Phone Calls and Emails
Set aside time each day to deal with making and receiving calls so that you aren’t distracted while in the middle of important work, which can make you lose your train of thought or cause you to forget something important. Also try and return all calls by the end of the day as opposed to leaving it for the next morning because this will interfere with your schedule.
If you have important business then a phone call trumps an email because typing out the details will be a waste of time. Instead use email for asking if documents have been received or for sending scanned documents, this way you don’t waste time checking your email 5 times a day and you won’t have to reply immediately. If you want to know more about how email is killing your productivity and how to break the habbit, you can read this interesting article on linkedin from Ryan Holmes.
Staying Organized
Keep your desk free of clutter so that you can find everything you need easily and if any of your machines stop working such as your printer, don’t stress about running out to buy new cartridges or ink toner spare parts instead save time and money by comparing prices online and having them delivered to your work place. There are plenty online store like Artonery and Ink Station, where you can check out the prices and order the missing ink or needed spare parts so you dont waste unnecessary time. Remember, time is money! So use your time at work smart so you have more free time to relax and enjoy life after your shift is over.
Final Points
Spend less time on meetings by being 100% prepared at the get go and discussing only what’s necessary. Set yourself a time to leave work as opposed to staying late, this way you know what needs to be done for the day and you focus all your energy on getting it done efficiently. Keep all your important information in one place and have it backed-up so you can access it without worrying about it being lost. Finally do not under any circumstances get distracted by office gossip, surfing the internet and playing cell phone games, you can unwind once your work for the day is complete.
If you follow these simple steps you don’t have to worry about staying extra hours and you can have more time to focus on other things, such as rest and relaxation. This efficiency at work will not only make you more productive by improving your time management but it will make you more successful in the long run.
Photo Credit: Flickr/Kheel Center
