Stress-free productivity is an art indeed. We are so busy that it is difficult to deal with our workload sometimes. How good are you with time management?
1- Minimise Distractions. Try to build a non-distractions environment to enable you to focus on getting your tasks done. Take time to declutter your desk and the way you feel about your workload will improve.
2- Set Goals. For every year, month, week and every day! Having clear objectives in the long run will give you a sense of purpose. Also having specific short term goals will help you to better see what you need to accomplish to achieve the results you really want.
3- Prioritise Your Work. Identify the high impact items. What are the must do tasks? What are Urgent, Important or just Nice? Create manageable action lists.
4- Plan for Interruptions. It will happen. You really start to make progress on something, but tonnes of things get in the way. Phone calls, emails, urgent meetings, colleagues needing your help, etc. Anything could happen!
5- Think Quality, Not Quantity. Working longer hours doesn’t necessarily lead to a better result. Productivity has nothing to do with the amount of hours you spend working. It has to do with how good a job you do on every task and how well you are able to say ‘NO’ to some things! Do you agree with this?
6- Keep Your Email Inbox Clear. If you know you have a few unread emails it will bring you down. Just get on with it!
7- Keep Everyone In The Loop. Make sure you understand when things really need to get done. On top of that, manage others expectations and any trade-offs.
8- Ask For Help & Share The Load. Do you really need to do this little thing? Can’t you just delegate?
9- Take Breaks. Re-charge and re-fuel yourself to avoid burning out. When you rest and clear your mind your performance improves.
Do you have any other tips to better manage your workload? We want to hear all about them!
ACTIVITY
You are the MD of the company. One of your best employees has asked you for a meeting. Her workload has increased so much she feels she can’t cope with it any more. How do you deal with this situation? What do you say to her? Let’s role play!