PAPERmaking! g FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF PAPER TECHNOLOGY Volume 5, Number 1, 2019
89. Set a maximum of three priority tasks per day. Lengthy to- do lists aren’t effective. That’s because you simply don’t have the time or energy to cross everything off your list. Instead, keep your to-do lists lean and mean by choosing your three most important tasks for the day. 90. Define three daily outcomes every morning. This isn’t your to -do list. These are three outcomes that you want to accomplish by the end of the day. 91. Jot down “forgettables.” What happens when something pops in your mind while you’re working on an important task? Have a pen and paper nearby so that you can jot it down. This gets the thought out of your head, without doing much damage to your flow. 92. Schedule buffer and travel time. Don’t jump directly from task -to-task or meeting-to-meeting. You need time to recharge, refocus, and/or commute. It also prevents you from running late, which eats into the time you’ve set aside for another task or appointment. 93. Break larger projects into bite-sized pieces. It’s almost impossible to set the light at the end of the tunnel when working on a large project. That’s why breaking these projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. The University of Georgia has published a handy article to get your started. 94. Set deadlines. Setting deadlines on everything is a useful trick to keep you on track and avoid procrastination. Personally, if I need to have a blog post submitted by Friday, I set the deadline for Thursday. It alleviates stress while giving me time to review it. 95. Tap into the power of visualization. “Mental practice can get you closer to where you want to be in life, and it can prepare you for success!,” writes AJ Adams, MAPP in Psychology Today. For example, in a study of weight trainers, those “who carried out virtual workouts in their heads” increased muscle strength by almost half as much when compared to those who didn’t. 96. Set-out visual reminders. These could be inspiring quotes that you print and display around your home or office to keep you motivated. 97. Find a mentor. A mentor will share with you the tips and tricks that have worked for them, as well as the mistakes to avoid. 98. Enhance or develop skills. Learning or strengthening skills can help you complete tasks faster. This is because you not only have the knowledge, you also have new approaches to solve problems. It also boosts your confidence. 99. Take one step at a time. Baby steps. It’s probably one of the easiest and most powerful time management and productivity tips. Instead of focusing on the task, focus on what you’re doing now. For example, when I was writing this massive article, I focused on one point at a time and then moved-on, as opposed to worrying about all 101 tips at once. 100. Don’t worry about perfection. Stop worrying abo ut something being “perfect.” It doesn’t exist. It’s only a figment of your imagination that can never become a reality. Do your best and keep on moving forward. 101. Reward yourself. It’s no secret that rewarding yourself when you’ve reached a goal or mi lestone is an effective way to keep you motivated and productive. The trick is being smart with your rewards. Skip the sugary treats for something like a massage. This avoids sugar crashes, but reduces anxiety and stress.
Article 12 – Time Management
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