by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs
Everybody's trying to find ways to save these days, whether it be on food expenses and gas prices or payrolls. Layoffs or hiring freezes may prompt your employer to ask you to do the work of two -- or even three -- or to increase your output.
If you're already feeling like there aren't enough hours in the day to get your work done, you may wonder how you'll get more done. Don't despair. Donna Rae Smith, founder of Bright Side, a behavior change firm near Cleveland, has tips to help you save at least an hour a day so you can carry your load without collapsing.
She says, "These are five simple steps that anyone can begin using today to make themselves more productive and accomplish more -- with less stress."
1. Make a V.I.T. (Very Important Task) List
It's easy to get mired down in the mundane at work, so don't. Smith suggests, "Don't become distracted by the insignificant or get caught in the swirl of busyness doing things that don't add value." Keep your eye on your professional future to prioritize what's on your plate so you are more likely to move up.
"Obviously," she says, "the urgent and important go to the top of the list. Next, look at the important, but not urgent. These are tasks that, while important, can be done bit by bit, little by little." Responsibilities that don't fall into either category should be given a much lower priority. If you're worried about something sliding, review your list with your supervisor to make sure your expectations are the same.
2. Give Meetings a Makeover
Everyone talks about how much they hate meetings, and no one does anything about it. Except for the smart folks at Procter & Gamble, a Bright Side client. Shares Bonnie Curtis, manager of Global Oral Care at P&G, "We removed the table from our conference room. It's become a symbol of us creating an atmosphere of authenticity and productivity; our people feel that they are working in a safe and inclusive environment which has resulted in them being open to new ideas."
In addition to this strategy, Smith says, "Brief, regular meetings to update progress, make decisions, and commit to next steps are more efficient and effective than grand, comprehensive gatherings."
3. Email Is as Easy as 1-2-3
In the ultimate digital age, it may sound impossible, but if you want to save time you must break the cycle of email addiction. Reveals Smith, "Although it can be a wonderful productivity tool, email can become a burdensome nightmare." She and her staff at Bright Side advise workers to restrict themselves to checking it just three times each workday -- once in the morning, once mid-day, and a final time near day's end. Use your newfound time "doing what you need to be doing," she adds.
4. Get Chunk'd!
Stop thinking of your time at work as a homogenous workday, and instead heed Smith's suggestion to work in "chunks" of time. Create them by cutting yourself off from other tasks and coworkers not related to the task at hand so you can completely focus. "[Chunks are] a great way to complete the urgent and important tasks [that are at the top of your list]," she states.
5. Swing Your Shift a Bit
Streamline your lunchtime by beating the crowds. Smith advises, "Go off peak. Instead of eating lunch between noon and 1:00 p.m., go to lunch at 11:00 a.m. or at 1:30 p.m." Not only will you enjoy better service and shorter lines, according to the Bright Side experts, but, "During the relative peace while everyone else is at lunch, you'll be able to focus and get more done."
Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career OpportunityEverybody's trying to find ways to save these days, whether it be on food expenses and gas prices or payrolls. Layoffs or hiring freezes may prompt your employer to ask you to do the work of two -- or even three -- or to increase your output.
If you're already feeling like there aren't enough hours in the day to get your work done, you may wonder how you'll get more done. Don't despair. Donna Rae Smith, founder of Bright Side, a behavior change firm near Cleveland, has tips to help you save at least an hour a day so you can carry your load without collapsing.
She says, "These are five simple steps that anyone can begin using today to make themselves more productive and accomplish more -- with less stress."
1. Make a V.I.T. (Very Important Task) List
It's easy to get mired down in the mundane at work, so don't. Smith suggests, "Don't become distracted by the insignificant or get caught in the swirl of busyness doing things that don't add value." Keep your eye on your professional future to prioritize what's on your plate so you are more likely to move up.
"Obviously," she says, "the urgent and important go to the top of the list. Next, look at the important, but not urgent. These are tasks that, while important, can be done bit by bit, little by little." Responsibilities that don't fall into either category should be given a much lower priority. If you're worried about something sliding, review your list with your supervisor to make sure your expectations are the same.
2. Give Meetings a Makeover
Everyone talks about how much they hate meetings, and no one does anything about it. Except for the smart folks at Procter & Gamble, a Bright Side client. Shares Bonnie Curtis, manager of Global Oral Care at P&G, "We removed the table from our conference room. It's become a symbol of us creating an atmosphere of authenticity and productivity; our people feel that they are working in a safe and inclusive environment which has resulted in them being open to new ideas."
In addition to this strategy, Smith says, "Brief, regular meetings to update progress, make decisions, and commit to next steps are more efficient and effective than grand, comprehensive gatherings."
3. Email Is as Easy as 1-2-3
In the ultimate digital age, it may sound impossible, but if you want to save time you must break the cycle of email addiction. Reveals Smith, "Although it can be a wonderful productivity tool, email can become a burdensome nightmare." She and her staff at Bright Side advise workers to restrict themselves to checking it just three times each workday -- once in the morning, once mid-day, and a final time near day's end. Use your newfound time "doing what you need to be doing," she adds.
4. Get Chunk'd!
Stop thinking of your time at work as a homogenous workday, and instead heed Smith's suggestion to work in "chunks" of time. Create them by cutting yourself off from other tasks and coworkers not related to the task at hand so you can completely focus. "[Chunks are] a great way to complete the urgent and important tasks [that are at the top of your list]," she states.
5. Swing Your Shift a Bit
Streamline your lunchtime by beating the crowds. Smith advises, "Go off peak. Instead of eating lunch between noon and 1:00 p.m., go to lunch at 11:00 a.m. or at 1:30 p.m." Not only will you enjoy better service and shorter lines, according to the Bright Side experts, but, "During the relative peace while everyone else is at lunch, you'll be able to focus and get more done."
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