Most of us spend the majority of our day at work, and research shows that the hours we spend working are constantly increasing.You are unlikely to be able to change either the prevailing worl ethic or your working environment, but you can keep hold of your priotities and devise strict routines to ensure you make most of your time.
How to organize your day
If you're one of those people who, having rushed out the door in the morning, has to return because you have forgotten something,or if you are someone who spends much of your working day flapping about until you reach home in a state of exhaustion,you need to get organized and regain control.
Try out the following advice to take control of your day and reduce stress:
- Prepare as much as possible the night before-get your clothes ready, or lay the breakfast table,for example.
- Get up at least 10 minutes earlier than usual to give yourself the extra time to complete whatever it is that causes you to rush
- Do not switch on the television because this will distract you and make you late
- Do not answer the phone unless you think the call could be really important.
Just before leaving the house, go over your mental checklist to reassure yourself you have everything you need
!Making a checklist is an effective way of organizing a busy day-you could even stick it to the refregerator to make sure you haven't forgotten anything.
At work
Having a work routine helps you define your achievements and leave the stresses of work behind at the end of the day.Once a week, plan a weekly schedule.Then spend the first 15 minutes of each working day thinking about what you wish to achieve.It helps to make a list, but don't make it too long as this can be daunting and demotivating.
- Don't try to do too many things at once.
- Prioritize, and do the essential things first.
- Try to tackle at least one thing on your list that you really do not like doing-you will have a great sense of achievement when this task is completed.
- Leave a half-hour a day for the unexpected.
- Delegate as many tasks as possible-don't take on everything yourself.
- If you can't delegate,ask for help.
- Learn to say "no" politely, without feeling the need to justify yourself.
- Get a good diary and use it.
- Meetings should be to the point-always make it clear when they will end.
- If you are delayed, call and inform the person you are meeting: if you have to break an appointment,try to give as much notice as possible.
- Take time at the end of the day to review waht you 've done and to congratulate yourself on your achievements.
Telephone taming
-If you have to make a number of phone calls,group them together-it is much more efficient.
-Use an answering machine and switch off your mobile phone if you do not wish to be disturbed
-If you work from home, invest in an extra line and don't answer the business one out of office hours.
-Do not answer the phone just before or during meals-if it is really important, the person will call back.
!Don't let the telephone take over your life-answer calls only when it suits you, and make calls only when you have plenty of time.
Work space
A cluttered desk makes it more difficult to work effectively.Tidy your desk at the end of each day.Make use of in, out, and pending trays, and keep everything you need close to hand.Keep a supply of stationery and pens within easy reach of your desk, and dispose of those that no longer work.
Pause for thought
Most of us are governed by clocks,constantly under one deadline or another in order to become more efficient and productive.As slaves of time, we constantly rush to get things done, frequently making mistakes, instead of thinking about what we are trying to achieve.Taking a moment to stop and think gives you the opportunity to act with greater consciousness and react more appropriately to the situation.A pause also lets you say "no" and avoid committing yourself to too many things a once.
!At work, take time to enjoy a tasty, nutritious snack and recharge your batteries.
Take a break
It is universally recognized that to work for long hours without a regular break is damaging for your health and can on occasion be extremely dangerous.It's just like driving-you have to stop every couple of hourss as your concentration and abilities begin ta fail.Many office chairs are bad for the posture, and long hours spent staring at a computer screen can cause eyestrain,neck ache, and backache.Get up,stretch, and walk around at least once an hour.Take time off for lunch and eat away from your desk if possible.Remember that by law you are entitled to have regular breaks, and you will be much ore productive if you take them.
When to switch off
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that the longer you spend at work, the more you will get done when in fact the opposite is more likely.Working excessively long hours and taking work home is counterproductive.Keeping work and home separate,and being able to spend quality time with your family, is essential-if you spend your leisure time relaxing ,you wil return to work refreshed and be able to give it your full attention.
Instant calm at work
If you are being thrown into a state of panic by an approaching deadline, make a conscious effort to calm down.Instruct yourself to stop, then close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply.Feel yourself becoming more relaxed; notice your heartbeat slowing down.
Time off:vacations
A vacation is a chance to rest and recharge your batteries, but all too often it turns into another stressful event.Mental and physical preparation will make potential difficulties easier to deal with.Planning is the key to a successful vacation that suits you and your family.Find out as much as you can about your destination before you go so that you know what your itinerary will be,and what to pack.A few days before, prepare yourself mentally by making an effort to slow down-maybe take an extra day off work to unwind.
