Even if you don't have your dream job or business, every day is precious and filled with opportunities. Let's be real and honest about the work day - the feeling of seeing an email inbox that is always filled with new messages on top of older, unread messages. Now add the work day surprises - resignations, no shows, emergencies (real and not so real), new minefields of changes to deadlines, and a general sense of uneasiness.
The world is spinning at a dizzying pace, and if we are not careful, we will thoughtlessly add to our list of “must dos” all those things we think we ‘need’ or ‘have’ to do in order to maintain appearances. Then our schedule becomes nightmarish, and when things don’t go as smoothly as we’d like, we promise ourselves that the next time we’ll say no or work a little harder, faster, or better.
So let’s start with getting better organised personally…here are five tips to improve your world of work:
1. Act immediately on phone messages and emails. If you can accomplish a task in just a few minutes, do it. It is one less thing on your to do list and you will have that immediate sense of accomplishment. If you let too many small activities pile up, you will be “playing catch” up the rest of the day.
2. Get a head-start on tomorrow by preparing before you leave the workplace today. The simple task of writing a “things to-do” list is one of the most efficient ways of keeping track of your daily work requirements. By writing out a list for tomorrow before you leave the workplace at night, you will have an immediate head-start on your next day and be ready for your new priorities.
3. Organise your tasks. By arranging your workday in “chunks”, so that you tackle your most important priorities together, you will save time, be more efficient and ultimately produce higher quality work. In addition, by starting your day with the most important task, you will increase your productivity and get your day off to a good start.
4. Stand up for your phone calls. It is amazing that the simple act of standing during a phone call will actually help shorten the call, thus saving you time. If you are standing you are less likely to be involved in idle chatting and you will get to the point of the conversation faster.
5. Stick to a schedule. If a meeting is scheduled for an hour, do everything possible to keep it to an hour. Once meetings start running long, it directly impacts the rest of your schedule for the day, while also impacting your co-workers. A series of meetings that run long will have a snowball effect throughout the day. Also, if you are not required to be at a meeting and you have a more pressing deadline, do not feel guilty about missing the meeting.
In addition, if you are wanting to take your time management to the next level, have a read of the newly released book by author Mary Camuto, titled, ‘Make the Most of Your Workday’ which challenges you to actively manage and make the most of your work day possibilities and problems. With drive, determination, and optimism, she offers solutions to work day predicaments. You can take control; you don't have to wait for leaders, people, or circumstances to change. No matter your level, situation, or dilemma, Mary shows you how to regroup, reframe, and bounce back.
‘Make the Most of Your Workday’ begins with six common scenarios. Can you relate to any of the following challenges?
• Getting caught up in office dramas.
• Watching workloads increase while resources decrease.
• Feeling your interest, enthusiasm, and focus fade.
• Yearning for effective leadership.
• Wanting to avoid working with certain people.
• Feeling at the mercy of technology.
Camuto’s ‘Make the Most of Your Workday’ contains powerful strategies and tools from several key areas and combines them into a concise practical guide, from strengthening your mindset and self-awareness to identifying needs and goals, from prioritising your time and energy to communicating effectively and managing the unexpected.
Reference: Mary Camuto, May 2018: ‘Make the Most Of Your Workday: Be More Productive, Engaged, and Satisfied As You Conquer the Chaos at Work’
