As you go through each day and take care of your to do list, various things may trip you up or distract you from your priorities. Here are some best practices to keep you on track. We’ll go through each one individually
- Watch the Clock
- The “Is This Necessary?” Test
- See It Through
- Prevent Distractions
- Don’t Be a Perfectionist
- Make Use of Waiting Time
- Look for Shortcuts
1. Watch the Clock
Keep an eye on the time so that you don’t run over your allotments. The best way to do this is using a timer. An ordinary kitchen timer will do, or the timer on your phone. Set it so that you can focus on your task, and the alarm will let you know when it’s time to move on.
2. Take the ‘Is This Necessary’ Test?
Before starting each task, ask yourself whether it’s truly necessary. Is it something that will help you get toward a specific goal? Is it something you can delegate to someone else or automate? Try to eliminate tasks before you start them, especially if it’s something you hadn’t already planned on doing and which has come up unexpectedly.
3. See It Through
If you decide to work on a task for one hour, stick to that one hour. Don’t stop in the middle or start doing something else. You considered priorities thoroughly when you made your schedule, so see it through. If you feel that a task is wasting time or doesn’t need the block allotted, make the necessary adjustment for next time.
4. Prevent Distractions
Arrange your work environment so that there are no distractions. Turn off phone notifications and stay off social media. Let others know you’re busy if you don’t want to be distracted. If something comes up or you’re interrupted, tell the person you’ll handle it later.
5. Don’t be a Perfectionist
Sometimes, when you’re focusing on getting things done, perfectionism can hold you back. Try to turn off that voice in the back of your head and remember that you can always go back later and tweak or edit. There’s always something that can be improved, so aim for ‘good enough’ rather than perfect.
6. Make use of Waiting Time
If there’s a delay in completing a task, try to use this time productively. For example, you’re waiting for an update on an app before you can do your work. While it’s updating, see if you can make some headway on another task or part of the task. This isn’t multitasking per se, but just a way to be more efficient.
7. Look for Shortcuts
Always look for shortcuts you can use, like templates or automation. Shortcuts enhance productivity and result in Quality output. At the same time, creates free time for you to use as per your requirement. Work gets streamlined leading to a more productive outcome.
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