Be More Productive At Work

Use one planner

• It does not matter whether it is paper or electronic.
• Leave it open and refer to it often.
• Make it the only place you enter appointments and tasks.
• Eliminate post-it notes and scraps of paper.

Block out time in your schedule to work on projects

• Once a project is written in your planner, there is a greater chance you will do it.
• Divide large projects into steps and put each step in your planner; give step #1 a due date, do the same for step #2, step #3, etc.
• This system helps you complete projects that may now feel overwhelming.

Set daily priorities

• Make your daily task list “doable” and realistic.
• Focus on 2-3 important tasks or projects each day.
• If you just have a few minutes before a meeting or appointment, complete a less time-consuming task.

Don’t let email distract you

• Resist the temptation to check it every time it “dings”. (Turn it off.)
• In the morning, prepare for your day and then check your email.
• Handle email the way you do mail; respond, move it to an electronic folder, flag it (if you need time to think about it) or delete.
• Use electronic file folders instead of keeping hard copies.

Hold phone calls until your task is finished

• Screen calls or send them directly to voicemail.
• Schedule call times (just like a meeting) and put in calendar.
• Leave a detailed message — a return call may not be necessary.

Assign a location for desktop papers

• Set up file folders for the top of your desk – Some examples are: 1) Action Now 2) Action Later 3) Pending (or Waiting) 4) To Read Later 5) To File
• Go through loose papers daily and discard papers no longer needed.
• Move paper to appropriate desktop file folder or file drawer.

Maintain the organization. You’ve worked hard to achieve it.