Few things are more fulfilling than crossing things off a list, except maybe finishing the entire list, wadding it up and throwing it away.
Part of the problem is we expect to be able to control everything and when we can't we feel like a failure. Choose your battles and choose them wisely.
I had the same problem until I put a due date on the items. As the less urgent items became due they move up on the list. Also, I tried to spend some time planning for the less urgent items so that I can be ready to work on them as they come due. I don't feel so out of control now.
You have found a key. How can you organize your time if you cannot organize your desk? well, done
I have the alert set so that I can see emails when they come in case the boss contacts me, but I don't respond to them but twice a day, when I arrive and right after lunch.
I have learned to avoid procastinating in my daily life ie work, personal life. I've learned how to prioritize, organize and stress management . This has been very helpful.Thank You
I currently find that I am most effective with creating to-do lists and then prioritizing the list. There are many times that my weeks are overwhelmed with a lot to do and the best way for me is to write it down and plan my approach to tackle every thing. This then assists me with getting the work done in the time allocated as well as not getting "burnt out" or taking work home with me.
Further I utilize technology to assist me - I get dozens of emails daily and I utilize tasks/reminders within MS Outlook to assist me with prioritizing emails etc to verify everything is completed on time.
Tasks for me get broken down into the amount of time needed to accomplish them and then their relative due dates. I will work on one major project and then use smaller easier tasks as breaks from from the larger task. This has always worked well for me.
Excellent! Glad to hear that your checklist strategy is working well for you Jennifer. If it isn't broke, no need to fix it!
Actually, I see myself doing well @ creating checklist and completing them pretty much in order of importance.
I have been training myself to get things done in a timely fashion. I find it is a learned habit. If you make excuses for yourself tasks feel like a drag. But if you start to work on things immediately you come away with a feeling of accomplishment and a willingness to handle future tasks in the same manner.
Prioritization must be part of your life not just your career. I take care of my family tasks first then work tasks and so on down the line.
Excellent! Yes, to do lists are a great way to keep priorities in check and really focus on what needs to be accomplished in the right order.
Sounds like you have a good strategy in place Jeff. You might lean a little toward the challenge of immediacy but I imagine you are getting the job done.
I think the to do list is a good idea. This will keep my priority in check so i can stay forcus on the information.
I usually choose to accomplish the most important and urgent tasks at the earliest opportunity. The exception to this is when I need information from another person in order to complete the task. When this happens, I move to the next most important and urgent task on the list.
When the information arrives, then I move back to the more important task and complete then one first.
I use a standard calendar and pen. This is the way I write my articles. As an item becomes clearer with its requirements, I began to write more about what said task may require. Chris
This is true Karla. When we miss our priority and urgent tasks, it can make life even more stressful than if we take care of them on schedule.
If I feel that the tasks that I have are important or urgent, I tend to take care of them right away. The are consequences that eventually will come back to hunt you if you decide to put things off for a later time.
This is an interesting point Dolores. Some people are great at time management in one area of their lives - like work - and not so great in other areas - like home. We can sometimes learn from ourselves when we excel in one category and get better across the board.
