We all have been there…. it’s 5pm and you realize that you have not gotten anything accomplished on your “to-do list.” You have been working feverishly for eight hours only to realize you have been putting off the most important items that needed to be completed. How does this happen? One of the main reasons why we tend to “ignore” those items on our to do list is because they are either difficult to handle or not riveting tasks. Another thing that happens is we believe we are prioritizing our tasks, but in fact, we are going about it all wrong. Below are some tips to help you get organized.
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- Create a to-do list that will catch your eye on your desk. Many times we write our to-do list on a tiny post-it note and then push it off to the side. Instead, create a to-do list on a bigger sheet of paper, and perhaps color code it. Or, create your to-do list on your computer desktop. That way you are forced to see it when you turn on your computer in the morning, and when you are getting ready to shut everything down for the evening.
- Emails, phone calls, and meetings tend to get in the way of accomplishing our tasks. Try taking an hour each morning to handle all of your emails so you aren’t playing “catch-up” throughout the day. Plan your phone and in-person meetings with enough time between them to allow you to work on your priorities.
- Co-workers and conversations around the water cooler can also be distractions. Be sure to limit your conversations when you have priority deadlines to ensure you will be able to accomplish everything in a timely manner.
- Revisit your priority list. Ask your boss what needs to be accomplished first, and what items can be put on the back burner. This will help you prioritize your work-load and help you accomplish the most important items.
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Last but not least, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you can. Teammates, and co-workers can be there to help support you during very busy times.