If you are not using a calendar, then start using one. I recommend using Gcal or iCal on your devices. Easy access to your calendar is important.
2. Determine what day your week starts and take note of important dates.
If your week starts on Friday, then take a moment every Thursdays to put important dates on your calendar. (What day is your presentation, when are is your family reunion, etc.)
3. Separate the recurring event from special events.
Recurring events are events that happen every week. Like going to church or working out in the gym. Special events, otherwise, are events that happen occasionally. (E.g. Family reunion, birthday parties etc.)
**Pay extra attention to special events.**
4. Stick with your plan.
If you are happy with your schedule for the week, then you must stick with it. If anything should be added along the week, add it to your free time. (if possible)
Optional: Have a spare time.
As a car always have a spare tire, blocking one of your day as spare time can be beneficial to you in many ways.
I hope you find these tips helpful. Please feel free to add your tips on the comments section.
The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.
We all only have 24 hours a day, and sometimes the difference between success and failure lies thinly on how effective you spend your day. In my current position as a general manager and part-time entrepreneur, 8 to 12 hours of work seems like not enough to carry out all my day’s tasks. I have tried to restructure my daily routine ever since.
I read tips from various articles online and practiced which one works for me. I have formulated a simple routine, that I am using for the past 3 weeks, which gave me better productivity.
1. Before going to bed, Ponder on important tasks that will be accomplished the next day.
By doing so, it will align your mind with your tasks and will greatly help you be more organized the next day. Being organized saves you a lot of time.
2. Divide your day in 2 halves. First half, with routine. Second half, free-for-all.
I usually have my routinary work when I got to the office until lunch time. After lunch I spend the rest of the day: spreading the word about my products, getting involve in trainings, developing our website, meetings, planning and conceptualizing, etc. Basically it depends on my mood, whichever I enjoy doing.
3. Accomplish everything in Bursts. Avoid multi-tasking.
Give pure 10 to 15 minutes in every task. If you’re checking your emails, then just check your mails. Do not invite another task that may intervene with the current one. This way, you are clear about your task’s progress.
The first thing I do when I arrive my office is to check and reply emails. Then open our company’s Chatter to get updated with what happened yesterday and if there are any pending tasks. Then go to our company’s Facebook or Twitter to see if there are any queries. After accomplishing all those online stuffs, I then go ahead to offline matters. It starts by checking out my incoming documents that is needed for review and signature.
After accomplishing those, the number 4 item is what I do next:
4. Delegate.
There are corresponding responsibilities for every department in the company. Be sure to delegate those tasks that are applicable to the department. This not only workout the company’s system, but it also helps you proceed to the next task.
5. Pray.
No matter how good and organized a routine is, your day may be ruined by a single unexpected problem. Be sure to always backup your plans with a prayer.
How about you? How do you make your day effective? Share!
Looking for a misplaced documents cannot only be annoying, but also wastes a lot of precious time as well. Spending forever turning the office upside down, looking for a single document, that in the end you’ll find it on the coffee table outside.
More than a result of memory gap, it’s a result of being unorganized. Organizing can be a challenge especially on busy days.
