1. Create a daily schedule:
It is important to start your day with a plan and one of the most effective ways is to make a daily a to-do list.
Make a list of tasks and categorize them into business building activities, client activities, and personal items.
Then break bigger unmanageable projects into smaller bits so that are less intimidating and are easier to accomplish.
This is one of the most effective ways to manage your time well.
2. Add A “Done List” To Your To-Do List.
Sometimes, unexpected tasks just pop up during the day. Jot them down in a separate list next to your to-dos for some extra satisfaction at the end of the day.
On Sunday, revisit your accomplishments from the previous week and congratulate yourself on your successes. This review period will increase your confidence and help you create the next week’s schedule.
3. Delegate
If there are things that can be better done by others or things that are not so important, consider delegating. This takes a load off and you can focus on the important tasks and also ensures efficiency.
4. Prioritize
Have too much work than the hours needed to complete the tasks?Consider prioritizing your tasks, this way you ensure that you are tackling the items that matter most. Create a system that works for you. One standard way of prioritizing is to mark items with A, B, and C and so on.
5. Focus Are you multi-tasking so much that you’re just not getting anything done? If so, focus on just one key task at one time. Close off all the applications you aren’t using. Close off the tabs in your browser that are taking away your attention. Focus exclusively on what you’re doing. You’ll be more efficient that way.
6. Work with deadlines.
Knowing when you need to finish your tasks will ensure you dedicate the necessary time to a project hence no distractions. This also helps you keep tabs on the work done as you will know the tasks you have completed and those that are pending.
7. Monitor your Social Media use.
There days you spend too many hours on phone calls and emails, this may efficient to respond to all emails as they come in but many times, the reverse is true. Send your calls to voice mail and turn off your email notification. Then check your messages once in the morning, once after lunch, and once more before you leave the office. You’ll be able to respond to important issues as they come up, and still have time to get some actual work done!
8. Clear Clutter
Some people have a hard time staying focused because the piles and stacks distract them from the task at hand. Clear the clutter off of your desk and other visible surfaces, then only have out what you are currently working on. That way, your eye won’t be drawn away as easily.
9. Organization and filing
It does take some time to set up a proper filing system but once it is set up, you save large chunks of time because you can store and retrieve information without having to think about. And, that is the ultimate benefit of organization – you only have to think about anything once.
10. Schedule breaks between tasks.
It has been scientifically prove that the human brain can only focus for about 90-minutes at a time.
Schedule a break at least every 90 minutes to avoid burnout and maintain high productivity throughout your day.
Article written and submitted by Rebecca Becky Mwangi