When it comes to keeping on top of your workload, it can sometimes feel like an impossible task. Emails come through thick and fast, you tick one thing off your to-do list but then end up adding on another three. It can feel a little overwhelming and be difficult to keep on top of it all. Here are our 5 top tips to stay organised and keep on top of your workload.
Have a to-do list Whether it’s an electronic task list such as Asana or Trello, or good old-fashioned pen and paper, having a physical list of everything you need to complete will help you stay on track and ensure that things don’t get forgotten. It’s always a good idea to also include deadlines to help you in prioritising what needs to be completed when.
Plan out your workload Once you have your to-do list and deadlines for when things need to be completed by, it’s time to plan out when you’re going to complete the work. Blocking out time in your diary will ensure you have a very clear idea of when things need to be completed by but also blocks out the time to take action. When blocking out the time in your diary always allow some buffer time around the entries in case of any disruptions or if it takes you a little longer to complete the task.
Focus on one task at a time Multitasking in the office doesn’t work. Focussing your efforts solely on one task at a time will actually increase your productivity and help you to complete tasks quicker and more efficiently. If you are juggling multiple things at a time then it’s easy to lose track or become distracted from what you’re working on.
Don’t let your inbox drive your to-do list It’s so easy to dip in and out of emails all day long that you don’t realise how much time you actually spend looking at your inbox. You then become distracted away from your to-do list and start working on other things in between. Set yourself specific times throughout the day to check your emails, setting a time limit and stick to it. You will be much more productive and will get more things ticked off your to-do list, whilst still keeping on top of your never-ending email list.
Use the ‘touch it once’ principle How often do you go through your emails skim reading or keep marking the same email as unread? Stop procrastinating and take action by using the touch it once principle. The idea is, quite simply, you only touch a task or an email once. Instead of picking something up and thinking “oh I don’t have time to do that” or “I don’t want to do that right now” you take action and complete it there and then, or if its something complex, you plan it in and get it done. The time you’ve been wasting procrastinating and visiting the same thing over and over again will save you a considerable amount of time.
If you are looking for support to help you get organised and stay on top of your workload, then call us now on 020 3370 4075 to arrange a free no obligation consultation and find out how we can help.