Manage Your Tasks and Save Time in the New Year
If your goal is to improve productivity in your business this year, it starts by learning how to manage your tasks and maximize your time. Learning how to maintain focus, how to prioritize, and implementing time management strategies into your daily work life is imperative to reaching this new year’s goals. Here are the strategies this NYC Professional Office Organizer suggests you apply to improve your productivity at work throughout the year.
Use automation to save time during the day. If you want to be productive, you must stop doing every single task. There are tools and apps designed to take the smaller tasks off your plate and allow you to focus your time on the tasks that require you and you alone to complete. Create an automatic response in your email that answers the most common questions people ask during the day and include scheduled times when you’ll respond in your auto responder. Schedule your social media posts, set up workflows for new clients that automatically run, and so much more. Utilize the tech tools available to facilitate daily tasks and save your time for the work that requires your specific individual skills.
Eliminate distractions. We all know that distractions take away precious time from our work day. What steps are you taking to eliminate them? There are simple ideas like shutting the door or turning off your phone or tablet. You can also keep your phone in your purse or briefcase during the day so it’s less likely you’ll grab it for a quick social media browse. Try headphones if you are working in a busy office place or use “do not disturb” functions inside your communication systems at work.
Plan your work day based on when you work best. You know yourself best! When you are planning your work day, think about when you have the most energy. Are you most productive and creative first thing in the morning? Or do you need a second (or third) cup of coffee and some time to check in before you start working? During your most productive times of the day, work on your high priority tasks. During the times of the day where your energy is lower, tackle the non-urgent tasks like catching up on phone calls or clearing your desk.
Make sure you are saying “NO.” It’s so hard to do but saying “NO” is a valuable time management skill to master! If you are asked to do a task or participate in a meeting or panel, and it’s NOT contributing to your goals, then NO may have to be your response. Don’t stretch yourself thin and then start missing deadlines for the work that is moving you towards your goals. If there’s a project that needs to be done but you don’t necessarily have to be the person to do it, delegate to a team member.
For more time management strategies and organizing implementation in the new year, reach out to this NYC professional office organizer today.