9 Tips for Working Effectively
14 April 2014
Read by 2284 persons
Some factors can negatively impact your performance, so here is a list of elements to consider to increase your efficiency and thus your quality of life:
1. Start with priorities
The first thing to do is to classify what you have to do according to its importance and urgency. Try to put them into the following categories:
- Important and urgent: to take care of before anything else
- Unimportant and urgent: can be delegated to someone
- Important but not urgent: to do after urgent and important things
- Unimportant and not urgent: to delegate or do last
2. Plan your tasks
Now that you have given importance and urgency to your tasks, you can start planning your work. Write down what needs to be done today, during the week, the month, the year and try to stick to it.
Having clear and well-defined goals in your mind and on paper is already part of the work that is accomplished. Congratulations!
3. Organize, tidy, classify!
It's not just tasks that need to be organized; your belongings, files, desk, and even your computer need your attention. A table with too many papers will leave you perplexed and waste your time. Think about grouping similar documents in the same folder; this will save you time searching for them later. Spending a little time tidying up will save you time later and avoid unnecessary stress.
4. Delegate
Think about delegating what you can, especially unimportant things that waste your precious time. Think about emails, managing unwanted calls, or printing documents. If you could delegate these kinds of tasks to someone else, you would save considerable time.
5. Know how to say “no”
Be aware of your limits; you cannot accept more work than you can actually do. Maybe you think this way you can get a promotion? What you probably forget is that you will end up being less efficient, frustrated, and more stressed.
6. Use the right tools
Use a stamp with your signature to avoid having to sign too many documents. If you have a choice, opt for a laptop so you can use it wherever you want. Remember to keep a notebook handy to write down what crosses your mind and that you don't want to forget, unless you prefer a little more technology like a PDA.
7. Move
Do physical exercises; this will reduce your stress and anxiety. Playing sports will allow you to keep a healthy body and relieve the tensions of the day, which will have a direct positive effect on the quality of your life and your work. Even in the office, take breaks and use them to stretch. Take the stairs instead of the elevator when possible and get up to go to the photocopier.
8. Get enough sleep
If you are tired, you will not be able to stay focused and you will have difficulty working. Try to know your sleep needs (7 to 8 hours per night generally, but some people only need 4 hours of sleep to be in shape) and try to get enough sleep. If it's possible for you and you feel the need, take a 15- to 30-minute nap during the day to regenerate.
9. Think about your meals
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day; it gives you energy to work and stay focused throughout the morning. Don't neglect it.
On the other hand, have a light lunch. If you eat too much, you are likely to feel tired for the rest of the day. Have a light lunch and then a snack to stay in shape in the afternoon.
Manque-temps.com
Posted on April 14, 2014.
1. Start with priorities
The first thing to do is to classify what you have to do according to its importance and urgency. Try to put them into the following categories:
- Important and urgent: to take care of before anything else
- Unimportant and urgent: can be delegated to someone
- Important but not urgent: to do after urgent and important things
- Unimportant and not urgent: to delegate or do last
2. Plan your tasks
Now that you have given importance and urgency to your tasks, you can start planning your work. Write down what needs to be done today, during the week, the month, the year and try to stick to it.
Having clear and well-defined goals in your mind and on paper is already part of the work that is accomplished. Congratulations!
3. Organize, tidy, classify!
It's not just tasks that need to be organized; your belongings, files, desk, and even your computer need your attention. A table with too many papers will leave you perplexed and waste your time. Think about grouping similar documents in the same folder; this will save you time searching for them later. Spending a little time tidying up will save you time later and avoid unnecessary stress.
4. Delegate
Think about delegating what you can, especially unimportant things that waste your precious time. Think about emails, managing unwanted calls, or printing documents. If you could delegate these kinds of tasks to someone else, you would save considerable time.
5. Know how to say “no”
Be aware of your limits; you cannot accept more work than you can actually do. Maybe you think this way you can get a promotion? What you probably forget is that you will end up being less efficient, frustrated, and more stressed.
6. Use the right tools
Use a stamp with your signature to avoid having to sign too many documents. If you have a choice, opt for a laptop so you can use it wherever you want. Remember to keep a notebook handy to write down what crosses your mind and that you don't want to forget, unless you prefer a little more technology like a PDA.
7. Move
Do physical exercises; this will reduce your stress and anxiety. Playing sports will allow you to keep a healthy body and relieve the tensions of the day, which will have a direct positive effect on the quality of your life and your work. Even in the office, take breaks and use them to stretch. Take the stairs instead of the elevator when possible and get up to go to the photocopier.
8. Get enough sleep
If you are tired, you will not be able to stay focused and you will have difficulty working. Try to know your sleep needs (7 to 8 hours per night generally, but some people only need 4 hours of sleep to be in shape) and try to get enough sleep. If it's possible for you and you feel the need, take a 15- to 30-minute nap during the day to regenerate.
9. Think about your meals
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day; it gives you energy to work and stay focused throughout the morning. Don't neglect it.
On the other hand, have a light lunch. If you eat too much, you are likely to feel tired for the rest of the day. Have a light lunch and then a snack to stay in shape in the afternoon.
Manque-temps.com
Posted on April 14, 2014.
