Organizing Your Day

Here are four simple tips you can try to better organize your day.

Make a list. Do it every morning, better yet, create your list for the next day at the end of each previous day...that way, you'll be all set to go about your business first thing in the morning. Your list should include all the things you need to accomplish during the day, providing a quick-reference menu that will help you stay on schedule. Remember to cross things off the list as you complete them!

Post reminders.

Notes on your computer monitor about next weeks meeting that you need to begin preparing for, or a note on your bulletin board about that report that's due next month. Posting and checking visible reminders during your work day will help you keep focused on what's ahead, helping you avoid putting things off.

Prioritize.

Yes, you're juggling a huge amount of projects most of the time. However, unless you have fifty hands (and we realize sometimes you wish you did) there's no way you can give the attention that's needed to each project simultaneously. Based on the deadlines associated with your projects and also the importance of the task as it relates to your job responsibility, decide which projects and tasks need to be addressed first and then proceed accordingly.

Have systems in place.

Everyday office endeavors such as circulating departmental correspondence, taking phone messages and dispersing mail can be time-consuming if they're not approached in the right way. Establish routines for tasks like these, and stick to those routines so that you can accomplish them faster and be more productive overall.