Productivity & Prioritization Skills | Small Business - Chron.com

Janet Hunt

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Productivity & Prioritization Skills

ByJanet Hunt

Effective time management and prioritization skills will help you obtain and keep a good job. Top managers are looking for employees who can increase their productivity and encourage others to do the same. Learning the most effective ways prioritize tasks will increase your value as an employee and help you increase your chances of receiving a raise or promotion.

Prioritize Tasks

Not all work tasks are of equal importance. When deciding which tasks require your immediate attention, focus on the consequences of not completing the task. Which task will have the most detrimental effects if not completed? Also look at the time frame for completing each task. Even an urgent task with an extended deadline for completion can sometimes be put on hold while completing a job with an immediate deadline.

Measure Activity

One effective method of increasing productivity is to make a time journal and record how you spend your work day. Are you wasting too much time on unnecessary activities? Focus on finding ways to reduce the time required to complete a task. Look at how much time you spend correcting mistakes. Doing a job right the first time will save time wasted in correcting errors.

To-Do List

Make a list of all your tasks and the requirements of completing each one. As you complete an activity for a specific task, check it as completed. This will help you focus on what needs to be done to complete the job. Use your calendar to schedule reminders of specific activities that must be completed. Begin each day by looking at your calendar and focus on specific tasks scheduled for the day. As you complete your most pressing activities, you should have time left at the end of the day to work on routine jobs that are less urgent in nature. Take a few minutes at the end of the day to make sure you haven't left any priorities undone.

Take a Break

Schedule breaks for yourself. This will relieve stress and keep you focused on completing your work. Burning yourself out by never taking a break will do nothing to increase your productivity. Bring healthy, high-energy snacks with you to work to keep your energy levels up. Reward yourself for achieving goals by planning a special activity outside of work hours. This will keep you motivated to continue performing your job to the best of your ability.

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by Taboola

How to Be Disciplined About Work

ByKevin Johnston

Discipline at work may be the biggest factor in your success, according to author Brian Tracy. If you spend your time responding to emergencies and taking care of phone calls, your business may not be heading in the direction you want it to head. You need a disciplined approach to growing your business.

1

Write your goals every day. The act of writing them down keeps your goals in the forefront of your thinking. Make sure your goals are realistic and measurable, and review them daily.

2

Schedule difficult tasks first. Don't put off the hard things until later. Get them out of the way at the beginning of your day, so you won't have them hanging over your head. Then you can get back to the tasks that are more enjoyable and close your day with a strong sense of accomplishment.

3

Schedule time, not completion. When you have important work to do, it can be difficult to guess when you might finish it. Instead of obsessing about finishing, focus on starting. Schedule a specific time to work on the task, and stick to that schedule. Starting is more than half the battle.

4

Keep a reverse "to do" list. Get a logbook and write down your accomplishments at the end of the day. This will remind you of your progress. Knowing you are going to write down your achievements will help you focus on getting things done.

5

Stop multitasking. Many business owners are proud of their ability to do several things at once, but there is no substitute for focus. Practice focusing on the task at hand so you can bring all your mental resources to bear on it. If you have difficulty, begin with small amounts of time to focus on doing one thing, such as 15 minutes, and gradually increase the amount of time.

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How to Organize a Typical Workday

ByCarl Hose

Most of us spend a good deal of our time either working or traveling to and from work. Being unorganized can often result in days at work that aren't productive, which in turn can lead to stress. The good news is, simple organizational techniques can help make each workday flow smoother and will result in more efficient use of the time spent. A well-organized workday might mean less stress and even more time spent relaxing.

1

Write a to-do list for the next day's priorities at the end of each workday. Don't wait until you get to work to decide what needs to be done. List items in order of priority and place a mark beside those items that must be accomplished. Delegate work that needs to be assigned early on, allowing you the time to focus on those duties which fall on your shoulders.

2

Arrange files in a file cabinet in the same order as your priority to-do list and place relevant paperwork into each of the files. As you accomplish each task, move any associated paperwork to a finished folder and check the task on your list.

3

Arrive at work early. Getting a late start causes you to either rush or fall behind. Neither of those things is good for you or your workday. Give yourself a head start to avoid any traffic and to allow you time to go to the bathroom or have a cup of coffee before you get started. Turn on all of the equipment you will need to accomplish your daily routine.

4

Read your list and get familiar with the items on the list. Set goals for the accomplishment of each of the duties on the list. Put yourself on a reasonable time frame and work on each duty with the intention of finishing it. Schedule time in your day to take a short break or two and assess where you are in your workday.

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