Don’t bite off more than you can chew...

It seems like Thanksgiving is one of those days when it is okay to bite off more than you can chew. Literally. But what happens after that? There is that sense of fullness, heaviness, inability to be able to even move. It is not a good feeling. Do you bite off more than you can chew in your life? 

Are you taking on more requests for your time, for your actions, over extending yourself to the point where you can’t move, just like after the big Thanksgiving feast? You can stop that now by making just one more commitment….to yourself.

The first step is to take a step back and get a sense of the big picture. Even an elephant is eaten one bite at a time.  Without a foundation of organization, it is easy to find yourself in a swirl of deadlines and tasks. This can result in a feeling of stress and anxiety. It can also

contribute to staff turnover if it results in too much stress.

Tips for Getting Things Done

• Start each day by reviewing all tasks, actions, requirements, etc.  Prioritize those that need action and determine when the action is needed.  A “to do” list or multiple “to do” lists will fall in place from there.  This helps you prioritize tasks and gives you a better idea of whether or not you have a realistic time frame to complete everything.

• Be proactive! Take the extra time to get as much done on the front end, it may not seem like it at that moment, but it is a real timesaver. When you come back to the project in the future, you will thank yourself.

• Encourage your coworkers, when you find helpful ways to stay organized don’t keep it a secret, share. Remember no matter how good at multitasking you are, you can only complete one thing at a time.

• Make notes throughout your day, we all get interrupted, do yourself a favor and write it down so you won’t forget!

• We all say it “I’ll get to it later” don’t lie to yourself, don’t make excuses, just do it!

• When your desk is cluttered you are thinking of everything else you have to be doing besides what you are currently working on or what is more important. This increases the risk for mistakes and you will not be efficient. I cannot work with a crowded desk. Once your desk is organized you will feel relief and will be more focused. When you start working your mind can stay focused on the task at hand. Everyone ends up swimming in paperwork you want to keep the printed files to a minimum at your desk. Keep what you need, but in an organized fashion. It is very helpful to scan everything on the computer.

• Technology is your friend. Let the computer do all the heavy lifting. Use Microsoft Office solutions like Excel, Outlook, Notes, etc. Excel has a lot to offer, including formulas and organizational tools that keep you from inefficiency of wasting time consuming unnecessary and tedious manual work. Creating lists in Excel is better than a handwritten a list. You will be able to easily update and that piece of paper cannot get lost. Updating regularly will improve your personal efficiency and you don’t have to worry about looking through piles of papers. Use the calendar function of Outlook, this is an amazing tool. The reminders are a great way to have your computer become your personal assistant. This will keep you up to date so you will never miss a due date and you can schedule any repeating tasks on a daily, weekly, monthly basis… etc. Keep track of your contacts in Outlook too. Give up those business cards and rolodexes from the past.

Whether you are using paper tools for organization or electronic software solutions, make a commitment to yourself and your company to do something today to become more efficient. Clear mind leads to clear work.