You’ve got a million things on your agenda today. How can you minimize distractions and maximize productivity?
Try these tips from time-management experts shared in the current issue of Fast Company magazine:
– Keep a detailed daily log of your activities. It will help you discover the things that are sucking time from priority tasks.
– Barraged with calls? Don’t pick up the phone when it rings. Decide on a daily time to check messages and include that information in your voice mail greeting.
– Have a similar policy for checking e-mail.
– When messages fill your voice mail, write them down and delete them as you listen. You won’t have to waste time scrolling through old messages to return calls.
– To beat a phone-tag cycle, respond by fax.
– Speed a phone conversation by saying, “I know you’re busy, but I have quick question.” This politely communicates that you are busy.
– Pick a stretch of time each day in which you need uninterrupted concentration to work and let colleagues know to touch base with you at other times.
– Set boundaries for meetings by telling colleagues that you can meet for 25 minutes, rather than, for example, 30 minutes. This creates a greater sense of urgency.
