I found a website I absolutely LOVE! Its called Unclutter! It gives great advice on simplifying everything from organizing a closest to planning a productive meeting. This week the topic is Organizing our WORKDAYS - How to get more accomplished. I love some of the tips they gave, and wanted to share a few.
Now, this post is totally for me. I am pointing the finger at myself. I have come to the conclusion, that I am speaking to myself during this entire post.
I had always heard Zig Ziglar say: the night before, write down the five most important things you need to do tomorrow. Then rank them in order of importance. When you get into work the next morning, start with #1 and just work your way down the list. Whatever you’re doing, it’s the most important thing you could be doing at the time.
Yet, my response has always been - the most important task will take ALL day, and I feel like I have not accomplished a thing by the end of the day. Here are a few tips to help us all:
From Unclutter:
Each morning when you sit down at your desk, before turning on your monitor or checking your voice mail, pull out your to-do list and calendar. Read through every item and decide:
- What has to get done by the end of the day?
- What would I like to get done by the end of the day, but won’t lose my job if I don’t?
The answer to your first question will decide your flow of work for the day. Look at your calendar, and schedule blocks of time when you will work without interruption to get those must-do items completed. During these times, you’ll hit the Do Not Disturb button on your phone (or disable the ringer), turn off the notification light on your e-mail, close all instant messaging programs, and hang an “If it can wait, please talk to me after 11:00 a.m. — I’m working on the [X] project” sign on your office door or at the entrance to your cubicle. If you work in an open office, stick ear phones in your ears, even if you’re not listening to music, as a signal to others not to disturb you. When it’s time to work on your most important projects for the day, set a timer to help pace your work. If you finish your task before the timer sounds, tackle a few of the non-essential items on your list while you have the time.
Be careful not to schedule your dedicated project time during your low-processing points of the day. Even if you eat to maintain consistent energy throughout your day, you will still have mental highs and lows. Our brains simply can’t stay focused for multiple hours consistently — and you’re actually more productive if you vary the type of work you do. It’s best to alternate your schedule between mindful and mindless work to produce your best work product.
After reading this post, I came up with the following schedule to help me be more productive each day:
| 7:30 | Arrive at work, turn on computer, and get situated. |
| 7:40 | Plan the day and Check and Process e-mail |
| 8:00 8:20 | Strategically focus on ideas for BIG projects or events. Write for upcoming News Releases, Feature Stories, etc. |
| 9:15 9:30 | Check and process e-mail, voice mail; Admin work Meeting #1 |
| 10:30 | Dedicated work time on project X |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 12:30 | Check and process e-mail, voice mail, Admin work |
| 1:00 | United Way, Ambassador, and EWI commitments (Review and work on one to 2 projects) |
| 2:00 | Meeting #2 |
| 3:30 | Dedicated work time on project Y |
| 4:30 | Complete all must-do work on projects X and Y |
| 5:15 | Check and process e-mail, voice, Admin work |
| 5:45 6:15 | Plan "to-do" list for next day, make a list of projects to review at night, & pick up office. Leave office! |
For me, being organized is what keeps my life working well and my stress levels down. I am going to try my new schedule...........and we will see how it works! Of course the days I have 4+ meetings, and after-work responsibilities....we will see how that goes!
No comments
Post a Comment