How often have you got to the end of the day and realised that you have been incredibly busy and achieved almost nothing? Be honest with your answer. If you want to start improving things then here are five ways to have an effective day.
1. Identify Your Top Three Things
Those of you who are regular readers of this blog are no stranger to this. It is our version of the Ivy Lee method but for new readers please have a look at this The Ivy Lee Method; How To Have An Effective Day Make sure that before you start anything you have these three things clearly identified and ensure that they are three things that can be completed today. If the three things you have identified cumulatively are too big to be completed in one day then divide the tasks into smaller achievable ones.
2. First Things First
Work through your three things in order before you do anything else. Don’t “just check on emails” or “just make that quick call”. Do the first things first. If all you do is get to the end of the three tasks then you can justifiably say you have had an effective day.
3. Ensure Effective Breaks
I think that the best way to do this is the Pomodoro method which we have discussed before The Pomodoro Technique; How A Tomato Can Make You More Effective You can only be effective if you are alert and focused and taking small regular breaks will ensure effectiveness in a much more successful way than just pushing on.
4. Don’t Lose Sight Of The Objective
Being busy and achieving your three top things is a great way of being effective but only if those three things are the right three things. There is always a temptation to put three easy things on the list and then cross them off giving yourself a smug sense of satisfaction. If the vital thing that moves you toward your objective never makes it to the list then you can’t say you have been effective even if you have been productive.
5. Use Technology To Help You
I am a big fan of Motion. It enables me to plan ahead based on achieving the most important things at the correct time. Where things change (and they always do) it automatically reschedules my day and ensures First Things Come First. Most importantly it is very difficult to con yourself that you really can achieve those unrealistic deadlines. It also helps you to justify the word no when telling people you really cannot “just squeeze that job in”.
Use the above to ensure an effective day and should you or your team want help with any area of effectiveness please Contact