Have you ever got a million things to do but no idea where to start?
Or maybe you keep putting off that big project with a big deadline that’s hovering over you?
Either way, getting your workspace and your task list organised is a surefire way to get your head space on track.
In this insight article, we share our guide to tackling this situation, working smarter, not harder.
1. Make Lists
Yes, you’ve heard it before, and it works!
It’s simple and the smartest way to unload your over-worked brain. Get all the tasks and thoughts out on paper.
Or if you prefer something a little more high-tech, a Smartphone, tablet, or whatever you’re comfortable with.
Apps can help too!
Below are the apps we recommend for organising your tasks:
- Paperless
- Wunderlist
- Todoist
- Trello
- Toodledo
2. Now Prioritise
Put a number, an asterisk, re-sort or highlight the most important tasks.
Get that list working for you.
Concentrate on the big stuff – the things you know will take the longest time. Put them near the top, somewhere you can’t ignore them.
The sense of achievement when you manage to cross these tasks off will be immense.
And then you can reward yourself with a few smaller tasks to break up the intensity.
3. Watch The Clock
Your list is ready, your priorities are set, and it’s time to get down to business.
Set yourself a realistic deadline for each item.
Start by breaking things down by hours, half hours, quarter hours or even ten-minute slots.
Make an appointment to meet friends, go out for lunch, or get a haircut, and then organise your tasks around it – it’s amazing what you can achieve when you have a ‘reward’ in sight.
4. BITE size, not supersize.
If you have a seemingly insurmountable task ahead of you, break it into smaller chunks.
As you start to simplify the job into separate elements, you will be able to concentrate on getting it done, piece by piece.
5. DON’T procrastinate – delegate!
Use reminders to flag up deadlines.
Set up rules on your email so that you can see when important emails need to be responded to.
Set your phone to vibrate and let voicemail take a message.
This way you can turn your full attention to the job in hand, without any distractions.
6. CALL in the professionals?
If you are struggling to stay on top and slowly sinking under a pile of admin, then what you need is a bit of professional help – the administrative kind.
Perhaps it’s someone to cast an objective eye over your accounts, a willing soul to help you get through your filing, or someone to manage your travel and diary arrangements, while you concentrate on writing that report.
Whatever task it is, delegating those tasks is the answer.
Designated PA are here to help you.
Whatever task it may be, help is at hand. Designated PA is a one-stop-shop created with you, the busy entrepreneur or executive, in mind.
We are here to enable you to hand off tasks and concentrate on your core business. With us by your side, you will find you are able to focus on productivity, deliver greater results and be free to be the high-flyer you are meant to be.
Alternatively, you might even find that you have a few less grey hairs and a lot less to worry about.