10 Steps To Improve Productivity

10 Steps To Improve Productivity

• 1.
  As each daybegins, create a list of specific goals you want to accomplish. While there may be urgent matters that pre-empt your plan from time to time, overall, you’ll find yourself accomplishing more with a clearly defined path ahead of you. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
• 2.
  We’ve all heardthe saying “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Visuals let you condense information into a form that is both quickly digestible and shows connections and relationships. In a fast-changing world, using visuals helps solve the information overload problem. Most people are not aware of how much time they spend on non-work related Web or social media sites. To get a better idea, check out Ann All’s post on new time management services that can track and report on your online usage. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
• 3.
  Have you everspent an hour (or more) to finally clear all your e-mails, only to realize that you've actually not done any work for the day yet? Instead of tackling your inbox all at once, do it in sections. Hit the crucial and time-sensitive messages first, then focus on the less critical e-mails in smaller sections throughout the day. You can also prioritize and/or limit distractions by using e-mail filtering features to sort out important messages. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
• 4.
  Allocate time slotsto make, receive and return phone calls, and leave desktop handsets on voice mail the rest of the time. Allocate similar slots for drafting, sending and replying to e-mails. Exercising discipline with phone, e-mail and other communications will prevent priority tasks from being interrupted. Meetings are organic in nature and will grow to fill the time slot allotted them. Schedule a shorter time period to conduct the meeting and stick to the agenda as closely as possible. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
• 5.
  Documents on yourdesk that have not been used for a month can be considered clutter. Clear them off the desk and recycle them - they are clearly not needed. Stored electronically, the miscellaneous reports, presentations and memos that often clutter a desk are easier to file, quicker to locate, take up less space and require less time when searching for them. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
• 6.
  Faulty keyboards, slowcomputers or other malfunctioning peripherals create a huge drain on productivity, as well as a great deal of frustration. Replace broken or malfunctioning equipment. You should also check out Paul Mah’s list of must-have gadgets. Reference sheets with important tips and shortcuts can save computer users from a handful of hours thumbing through the instruction manual. CustomGuide, a provider of computer training and documents, has uploaded several of its reference guides to the Knowledge Network, including this one on Microsoft® Word 2007. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
• 7.
  Work limits mayboost productivity. We talk a lot about finding the right work-life balance, but hardly anyone seems to be doing it. Research has shown that employees who limit the number of hours they work each day, and take regular vacations, are actually more efficient and more effective than their workaholic coworkers. 10 Steps to Improve Productivity AGTLIMITED info4agtcompany@yahoo.com