10 Ways to Simplify Your Work Day
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
I reflected on each of Karl's steps and wrote down how I already use the step or how I will incorporate it into my day going forward. It felt so great to acknowledge what I already know and learn some new tips to make my days better!
Here's my list:
1. Clear away the clutter
I always clear my desk at the end of the day so that I come in to a fresh clear space everyday. This has worked for me for years, but I have to admit that as a part-time working Mom sometimes I can’t always finish what was in my “inbox”. So, about 15 minutes before ending my work day, I take stock of the projects left and put them in an organized order to tackle in the morning.
2. Pomodoro Technique
I give myself periodic breaks, especially before I “switch gears” to tackle a new project or task. I didn’t know there was a term for this. Very interesting.
3. Short List
I’m not a list person. I’m trying to work on this, especially when I balancing between my part-time job, family, and running by own home-based business. A short list sounds a lot more manageable – thanks!
Recently I read the story about “your frog”: the item on your list that you procrastinate doing. Figure out what your “frog” is and put it at the top of your list, get it done first thing and just watch the energy flow for the rest of the day!
4. Give in early
So true, some days! It’s better to call it a day, or evening and just relax and go to bed. You’ll have so much more energy the next day to tackle things. I think the short list might work here too, write down what you didn’t finish and still need to accomplish so you can put your mind at ease.
5. Single-task
I actually put this into effect today. I wrote my list and took each item as a single task and plugged away all day, one task at a time – and checked them off as I completed them. What a sense of satisfaction!
6. Say “no”
That’s a hard one. I’m a helper and take on task upon task and request upon request – just keep adding to my mental list! But then I’m not accomplishing my tasks. I must remember: one task at a time (single-task) and say, "I’ll get back to you in 10 minutes or an hour." Or sometimes I ask the person requesting something to put it in an email to me so I can add it to my to do list. By the time they do that, I’m usually free to give it all my attention and schedule it as necessary.
One thing I’ve run into, when I have practiced the statement “as soon as I finish this, I will give you my undivided attention” is it keep coming back at me. I exercised the “if I could have 15 minutes to finish my task at hand, then I can give you my undivided attention,” line with my boss, and he keeps throwing back at me, trying to make me feel guilty about how I didn’t give him time, even though he agreed when I asked. It’s a double-edge sword, but I’m sticking to it!
7. Start with tea!
I so love this! I am a tea lover – I start and end my day with a cup of tea. Just the warm mug in my hands is so soothing and calming. It clears my mind and is so comforting. This is my favorite step!
8. Don’t check email.
This makes sense. Just today I had an early meeting and then the day just went from this to that. It wasn’t until late afternoon before I checked email, and I got so many things done today. But most days I do need to check email for proofs from printers, newspapers, etc. But I try real hard to look only for those and leave the “fun” stuff for later in the day when I have more time for that.
9. Limit your goals
This is good advice. Sometimes I get so excited about new things I want to do for my home business or plans for the family that it overwhelms my part-time regular job and vice versa and then I feel so burnt out and disappointed that I got nothing accomplished. So I’m always reminding myself to be more realistic and take my time. "Enjoy the journey to your destination!"
10. Repeat the same phrase
My husband and I ask our boys what their favorite part of the day is every night before bed to reinforce the positive and end our day on a happy note. It’s time for me to do something similar for my self and acknowledge those accomplishments too. A gratitude journal is what I thought I would start.
So thanks to Karl for creating such a simple list to simplify my day! I’ve just taken in and created a personal list for myself. It took this simple list to organize myself, appreciate what I already do, and acknowledge changes that I can make to improve my day. Again, thanks!
I always clear my desk at the end of the day so that I come in to a fresh clear space everyday. This has worked for me for years, but I have to admit that as a part-time working Mom sometimes I can’t always finish what was in my “inbox”. So, about 15 minutes before ending my work day, I take stock of the projects left and put them in an organized order to tackle in the morning.
2. Pomodoro Technique
I give myself periodic breaks, especially before I “switch gears” to tackle a new project or task. I didn’t know there was a term for this. Very interesting.
3. Short List
I’m not a list person. I’m trying to work on this, especially when I balancing between my part-time job, family, and running by own home-based business. A short list sounds a lot more manageable – thanks!
Recently I read the story about “your frog”: the item on your list that you procrastinate doing. Figure out what your “frog” is and put it at the top of your list, get it done first thing and just watch the energy flow for the rest of the day!
4. Give in early
So true, some days! It’s better to call it a day, or evening and just relax and go to bed. You’ll have so much more energy the next day to tackle things. I think the short list might work here too, write down what you didn’t finish and still need to accomplish so you can put your mind at ease.
5. Single-task
I actually put this into effect today. I wrote my list and took each item as a single task and plugged away all day, one task at a time – and checked them off as I completed them. What a sense of satisfaction!
6. Say “no”
That’s a hard one. I’m a helper and take on task upon task and request upon request – just keep adding to my mental list! But then I’m not accomplishing my tasks. I must remember: one task at a time (single-task) and say, "I’ll get back to you in 10 minutes or an hour." Or sometimes I ask the person requesting something to put it in an email to me so I can add it to my to do list. By the time they do that, I’m usually free to give it all my attention and schedule it as necessary.
One thing I’ve run into, when I have practiced the statement “as soon as I finish this, I will give you my undivided attention” is it keep coming back at me. I exercised the “if I could have 15 minutes to finish my task at hand, then I can give you my undivided attention,” line with my boss, and he keeps throwing back at me, trying to make me feel guilty about how I didn’t give him time, even though he agreed when I asked. It’s a double-edge sword, but I’m sticking to it!
7. Start with tea!
I so love this! I am a tea lover – I start and end my day with a cup of tea. Just the warm mug in my hands is so soothing and calming. It clears my mind and is so comforting. This is my favorite step!
8. Don’t check email.
This makes sense. Just today I had an early meeting and then the day just went from this to that. It wasn’t until late afternoon before I checked email, and I got so many things done today. But most days I do need to check email for proofs from printers, newspapers, etc. But I try real hard to look only for those and leave the “fun” stuff for later in the day when I have more time for that.
9. Limit your goals
This is good advice. Sometimes I get so excited about new things I want to do for my home business or plans for the family that it overwhelms my part-time regular job and vice versa and then I feel so burnt out and disappointed that I got nothing accomplished. So I’m always reminding myself to be more realistic and take my time. "Enjoy the journey to your destination!"
10. Repeat the same phrase
My husband and I ask our boys what their favorite part of the day is every night before bed to reinforce the positive and end our day on a happy note. It’s time for me to do something similar for my self and acknowledge those accomplishments too. A gratitude journal is what I thought I would start.
So thanks to Karl for creating such a simple list to simplify my day! I’ve just taken in and created a personal list for myself. It took this simple list to organize myself, appreciate what I already do, and acknowledge changes that I can make to improve my day. Again, thanks!
