Five methods for getting Alot more Accomplished

By Karri Owens


1. Avoid interruption: When possible, leave your phone on voice mail during times you have scheduled to work on projects. If you have an individual office, close your door. You could even place a sign saying something similar to "Hard at Work: Please Come Back Later." If you are interrupted, help keep the interruption short by remaining task-oriented.

2. Schedule time and energy to make phone calls and return e-mail. Once you leave a phone message, list times you will be available by phone. Ask one other party to do the same - you will save both a lot of time that would rather be spent on everyone's favorite game, phone tag. Also, avoid checking your voice mail and e-mail frequently. Instead, review them at scheduled intervals during the day.

3. Plan stress breaks during the day. Make sure you give yourself a break! Working to the aim of total brain fatigue and muscle tension won't ever do you any good. Stretch, try taking a little deep breaths, and visit get your lunch, call your children - do something to give your hair a little break. If you'd like, you'll be able to schedule these breaks as a reward for when you've finished a specific chore.

4. Appreciate your own approach. Equally as we are all different in alternative methods, we all have diverse organizational styles. Remember that you have gotten where you are today due to whom you are and that which you have accomplished. Employ improved organizational skills to enhance your personal style, not put it back. Getting organized should cause you to feel good, not burdened.

5. Stick to your plan. The best-laid plans often become a victim of their makers. While spontaneity is vital, there is a fine line between it and plain procrastination. When you have come up with a good plan for tackling a task, stay with it. Only you can prevent yourself from wavering.




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