- Use a planner
Whether you use an agenda, your smartphone or Google Calendar, always keep track of the things you have to do.- Write everything down: From an important job interview to grocery shopping, everything should have its slot in your to-do list.
- Set a time frame: It’s important to have a clear plan about when something has to be done.
- Group your activities: It’s easier to categorize your activities first, then work on them. Otherwise, it will get too confusing and you’ll get easily distracted.
- Keep it simple: Appointments get cancelled, emergencies arise, so don’t stress out about changes in your schedule. Be ready to make changes, but keep them at a minimum.
- Remove unnecessary tasks: You don’t have to be in charge of everything. Keeping yourself busy all the time doesn’t mean you’re effective. Organized people look for solutions. Can this task be combined with another one? Does this really have to be done now? Maybe there’s someone that can perform this task for me?
- Start with the most demanding task
Completing the most demanding task first will give you a great boost. Procrastination stems from avoiding to do something you’re scared of. For example, you might prefer to start off with replying to your emails, rather than work on a long report. Imagine what will happen if you actually finish that report first: you’ll feel so accomplished that small tasks like keeping track of your correspondence will be completed in no time. - Say no to procrastination
I have friends who log in compulsively to Facebook every ten minutes. There’s nothing new on their dash, but they keep checking. It’s very easy to get addicted to social media, so keep their use under control.
If you find staying away from social networking websites difficult you can try:- Add-ons that limit or block your presence on social media like Cold Turkey, FocusBooster and SelfControl.
- Time management techniques like The Pomodoro Technique.
- Improve decision-making skills
Making timely and accurate decisions will save you a lot of time in the long term. Don’t get intimidated if you aren’t a fast decision maker. You can always start from simple things, like where to go for a weekend trip, and create an evaluation plan. By practicing in non-stressful situations, you can work on your ability to set priorities and make optimal decisions in your work environment. - Set realistic goals
You’ll be tempted to set impossible goals like finish all of your assignments, update your blog, attend meetings and catch up with your friends in the span of one day. When you fail in meeting all your obligations, you’ll be so disappointed that your future productivity will suffer. Reward yourself for your good job, take necessary breaks and know your own limits. Some people have explosions of productivity over the span of a few hours, others like to stretch their tasks during a day, so find what works best for you.
By: Andromachi Kokkinou