The most chronic procrastinator may become a smart planner by following these seven straightforward but highly effective pointers.
Bring a focused mindset at the beginning of each day
The first thing you should do when you get to work each day relating to your job is to think about what you want to get done that day and what you have to get done at the very least. Get this purpose straight in your mind before you open your email and start answering questions and resolving problems. Establishing a crystal clear focus for the day could take as little as five minutes of your time, but it can save you several hours of time and effort that you would have otherwise squandered.
Keep your to-do list up to date and active
Create a list where you can keep track of the obligations and commitments you have for the day, and be sure to update it frequently. Check back on this list on a regular basis and make additions to it as soon as you think of them. Make sure that your list provides you with an overview of everything that is urgent and vital, and don’t forget to include actions that are strategic and focused on creating relationships in addition to the chores that are operational.
Put your attention on the tasks that have the most value
Find the action that, if you dealt with it right now, would have the greatest beneficial influence on your project, your team, and your client, and do that one first. Only then should you go on to something else. Fight off the urge to start by getting rid of the less significant objects first. Begin with the most significant aspects first. Use Tracktime24 to establish the most crucial tasks and prioritise effectively.
Asking yourself the following questions can assist you in prioritizing which tasks require your attention first:
- What is it that my customer or my team need from me the most right now?
- Which of these won’t be done and will create the most headaches if it does?
- Where do I stand in terms of making the most significant contribution right now?
- Which tactical responsibilities do I need to take care of now so that we may improve our efficiency tomorrow?
Minimize interruptions
Your level of productivity will directly correlate to the amount of undisturbed time you have throughout the day to focus on significant responsibilities. Find a way to deal with the activities that have a habit of interfering with your work after you have identified them. Avoiding distractions is, in essence, one of the most important skills necessary for effective time management. When you are in the middle of anything essential, for instance, you should avoid doing things like checking your email and answering the phone. It may be tough to get back into the flow of things if you have already disrupted it. Instead, practice self-discipline by committing yourself to working single-mindedly on a task until it is finished.
Put an end to putting things off
If you struggle to maintain attention or have a tendency to put things off until the last minute, it may be beneficial for you to create an external commitment for yourself in the form of a deadline. For example, set a meeting for two days from now at which you will present your work and by which time your activities will need to be finished. This meeting will serve as a deadline for you. It is also highly efficient to do the duties that are the most unpleasant first thing in the morning and to allow yourself modest incentives once you have finished the ones that were the most painful.
Limit multi-tasking
Even though a lot of us try to juggle many tasks at once and fool ourselves into thinking that this makes us more productive, research shows that this isn’t actually possible for most of us. Try any of these strategies to break your habit of multitasking: You should schedule your day in blocks and allot particular blocks of time for certain activities, such as attending meetings, answering phone calls, and carrying out in-depth planning and analytical work at your desk. Stop what you’re doing if you find yourself multitasking and take a moment to relax in silence.
Reflect on the day’s events
Before you leave the workplace each day, spend five to ten minutes going over the tasks you need to do. If you were successful in doing what you set out to do, you should congratulate yourself. If you feel that the work you put in today wasn’t enough, think about what you can do differently the next day to make sure you get everything done that you need to. You should leave the office with a positive attitude and the will to get back on track the following day.
