Career Advice - Tips for Becoming More Efficient At Work

Improving Time Management Skills and Work Efficiency

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

I have been having the absolute longest days at work lately, but have been getting NOTHING done! I feel like every day, my time is eaten by short conversations with colleagues, ringing phones and constant email alerts. I wouldn't mind the long hours if it weren't for the fact I don't feel satisfied when I leave.

I can't get a handle on any of my big projects because it feels as though the little ones eat up my entire day. What can I do to improve my efficiency and focus at work?

Signed,

Frazzled Cubemate

A: Dear Frazzled Cubemate,

Some people are able to work really well on multiple peripheral projects at one time, but most people are linear and need to complete one project at a time in order to do a good job. What keeps you from completing that one project? By never feeling that you are achieving your goals, you will end up feeling unnecessarily stressed.

– The looming list! Knowing you have A LIST of things to do … can be like the sound of one violin string eerily playing in the background, a reminder that even when you finish what you’re doing now, you’re still not done! In fact, you have so much to do on that list, there’s no way you can get it all done in one day, one week or even one month!

– Lists that multiply like rabbits. You have a list on your computer at work, your laptop at home, your palm pilot, your date book – and yellow sticky notes with reminders of other things to do keep cropping up everywhere! You’re surrounded by lists! Before you shriek for help, cure your list-mania by paring down to ONE list in the house and ONE list that you keep at work or carry around with you.

– Focus. Don’t pick up the telephone. For some people it’s really hard not to pick up a ringing phone, answer a paging beeper, run for the mail, become a slave to the computer or open e-mail as it comes in. All these faux chores can amount to procrastination tools.

Recognize and respond to these issues so that you are completing one major project at a time -- and getting a sense of accomplishment. Eventually, your work efficiency will increase as well.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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