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VNU eMedia, Inc. Mar 2003| [Headnote] |
| winning strategies |
| [Headnote] |
| Breaks throughout the day are acceptable as long as they don't impact performance. Follow these tips and watch work flow BY SIOBHAN GREEN |
No one can be productive every minute of every day. The average employee only works approximately six hours of every eight-hour day-the rest is taken up with breaks, chatting with coworkers, grabbing a cup of coffee, traveling to and from meetings, etc. However, it is very easy to waste even more time during the day and find yourself rushing at the last minute or missing deadlines.
Break counterproductive habits by avoiding these typical blunders.
1. Chatting with co-workers
It is easy to get caught up in the social aspects of your job rather than the tasks at hand. Not only is extraneous conversation counterproductive, it also looks bad, especially if it is disruptive of other people's work. Learn how to say, "I would love to chat, but I have to get back to work now."
2. Working late-weekends
Tasks grow to fill the time allotted, so don't let a task spill over past quitting time or into the weekend. A common procrastination technique is to not do any real work during the day, and then "catch up" after 5 p.m. or on weekends. While a valid strategy on occasion, it can be a bad habit to get into. In general, your per-hour productivity will most likely decrease as well as the quality of your work, since you will be tired and more likely to burn out. Waiting until after everyone has gone home to get work done can mean that other people will not be around to give you crucial feedback and information.
3. Not alternating work with breaks
Nothing will hold your attention 100 percent of the time, and staring at your computer screen doesn't count as work. Break your projects into 15-minute chunks, alternating smaller tasks.
4.Diserganization
If you cannot find notes from a meeting or someone's phone number, you will waste a good deal of time every day. An organizational system can save time.
5. E-mail, Instant Messenger, surfing on the Web
Do not kid yourself. If you are holding a conversation with your spouse on Instant Messenger about your upcoming vacation, you are not giving the document you are editing your full attention. Limit the amount of time you spend on personal activities.
6. Perfectionism
Not everything you do must be perfect. If you find yourself spending hours laboring over an E-mail or revising the layout of a draft, you may be spending far too much energy on inconsequential details.
7. Inaccurate assessments
It is easy to underestimate how long a task will take to complete. Allow additional time for all projects.
8. Not addressing preferences
Find out what approach works for you and make sure that your coworkers and boss understand that you are trying to work in the most productive manner. Reprinted with permission from Vault Inc.
| [Sidebar] |
| Take a more proactive approach to achieving your daily goals. Plan your day by using these pointers: |
| [Sidebar] |
| * Visualize your long-term picture of success and put it in writing. Review your goals frequently. Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable and compatible with where you are now. |
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| * Try to do your planning at the same time every day. Use this time to review past accomplishments as well as future tasks. |
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| * Write out a "To Do" list every day. Include items that can be completed, such as "prepare exhibits for monthly report," rather than just "work on report." |
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| * Check off items as you complete them to give yourself a sense of accomplishment. |
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| REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM PACE PRODUCTMTY INC., A TORONTO-BASED CONSULTING COMPANY. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.GETMOREDONE.COM. |
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