Whether you are employed or running your own business, you always have to content with a full to-do list featuring different tasks. Workplace tasks range from client projects that need to be finalized, answering emails, maintaining financial records, developing business strategies among others. With so many tasks all fighting for attention, determining whether a task is important or urgent can be challenging. However, finding a way to prioritize your tasks at work can improve your productivity levels and reduce work-related stress. Here are useful tips to help you manage your workplace tasks with ease:
1. Be aware of deadlines
When you are handling tasks for different clients, deadlines are the obvious determinants of the urgency with which you need to deliver the tasks. Urgent tasks are those whose deadlines are fast approaching or those that you feel you are behind schedule in meeting deadlines. Meeting client deadlines is critical because that is what gives them a good experience in working with you so that you are sure of getting repeat tasks.
2. Have clear goals then work backwards
Goals are useful when it comes to determining which tasks need to feature on your to-do list. The process of setting work related goals is easier when you have the big picture in mind. You can then break that into achievable monthly goals. Identify the specific actions you need to do achieve your monthly goal and organize them week by week depending on their urgency. Schedule the most important actions in the first week of the month. Ideally, these should be actions that are foundational in enabling you to undertake the other tasks. Also, consider the urgency of tasks as you do this as well then distribute your tasks throughout the month.
3. Break assignments into milestones
If you are handling large client projects that have set deadlines, try to break them into smaller part so that you work on those smaller tasks over time. Set a deadline for each part so you know when you have achieved the milestone and are ready to move to the next one. These self-imposed deadlines can go a long way in helping you prioritize your tasks at the workplace. Breaking projects into smaller parts also enables to be focused on the process so that you do not find yourself caught up by deadlines that often seem so far.
4. Pay attention of payment terms
Also, bear in mind the terms of payment that your client and your company or business have in place. Some projects get paid based on achievement of milestones. For such projects, you need to prioritize them especially if you are only a few steps away from attaining those milestones so you can get paid. On the other hand, you might have clients who have already paid fully for your services and need you to complete their work. Completing such tasks need to be prioritize on your to do list because they have been paid for already.
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