insideKENT Magazine Issue 82 - January 2019 | Page 94

NEWYEAR
SMALL CHANGES BIG DIFFERENCE CONT.
START YOUR WEEK WITH A TO-DO LIST WHICH YOU
REVISIT AT THE START OF EACH DAY
WORK
Lists, lists and more lists
Start your week with a to-do list which
you revisit at the start of each day, and
follow the urgent and important rules:
• If it’s urgent and important: do it now.
• If it’s urgent and not important:
delegate to someone else.
• If it’s not urgent but it is important:
schedule a time to do it later.
• If it’s not urgent and not important:
forget about it.
After the urgent tasks, where possible,
complete any tasks that can be finished
quickly first in order to leave time for
longer tasks later whilst still feeling a
sense of accomplishment.
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Make time for emails
In a virtual world, we have less paper and more emails, so
set aside time each day for ‘email admin’ and build it into
your diary/to do. Sort your inbox, label emails and create
a virtual filing system to ensure you reply to urgent emails
promptly, can find relevant emails at a later date, and
don’t keep unnecessary inbox clutter – always aim for an
empty inbox!
Take a break!
The most productive employees are the most happy, and
with 40% of sick days taken up through stress-related
illness, it pays to look after your wellbeing at work. Always
take a break away from your desk even if it is for just 15
minutes. Get up, go for a walk, readjust your eyes and eat
somewhere that is not in view of your main workspace.
You will not only appreciate the physical break, but will
return mentally readjusted to face the rest of the day.
Find out what your colleagues do
This may sound simple enough, but do you actually know
what Sheila in accounts, Teri in Sales or Don at reception
actually do? By finding out more about the organisational
structure and specific responsibilities, you will naturally
have more understanding of how you contribute to someone
else’s role or department, and in turn they to yours. You
can make mental note of time pressures that you wouldn’t
have previously understood, and will also more easily be
able to assist them, or they assist you, on a task or project.