Picture the scene: It's a bright and shiny new day and you've got big plans for everything you want to accomplish! Come the end of the day, however, you feel as if you've accomplished little to nothing. A Certified Professional Organizer addresses how to plan your days to achieve more productivity.
Question: I never seem to have enough hours in a day. I start work and by the time I know it the day is gone and I've accomplished very little, if anything. Any tips?
Signed: Scott in Wyoming
Answer: Most often what I notice when clients experience what you are talking about is that they begin their day without a plan.
Look at your day just like any other project you undertake. You need a plan for it to be successful. This particular project can either be called 'Your Day', 'Your Week', 'Your Month' or whatever period of time you need to plan for it to be a success.
For this example let's use 'Your Week'.
The best way to accomplish this is to make a list of all the things you need to get done this week. Next, decide roughly how much time each task will require. From there you can piece together your week appropriately in order to get the most out of your time.
Try to keep in mind a few other things as you piece your plan together. Are you a morning person or are you at your best late in the day? Schedule those tasks that require your best attention for those times.
Don't forget to include travel time. What kinds of things can you do during your commute? Phone calls (hands-free, of course), listening to classes on CD or iPod, etc.
Consider the things that distract you from your work. Email, for example. How many times are you in the middle of something and you get an email? You stop what you're doing in order to read it and answer it. Schedule time for things like email so you're not constantly checking it every two minutes, taking time away from what you're working on. It's not always easy, but it can be done. Turn off your speakers so you don't hear the emails coming in.
Don't forget to include time to recharge. Take a break. Go for a walk or get a bite to eat. Change your scenery for a while. Down time is important to help you be effective during work time.
Happy Organizing!
Beth Flarida is the owner of Get It Together, a company which has been providing Professional Organizing Services for businesses since 1991. Beth is a Certified Professional Organizer and a member of NAPO, the nation's leading and most prestigious organization for professional organizers. Visit Beth on the web at GetBeth.com and sign up for her free weekly newsletter, Answers From The Organizer®. Ready to get started right now? Claim your 20-minute "Problem Solving Strategy Session" and jump start your organizational goals!