Simplicity is the ‘soul’ of efficiency
Being organised so that you can complete tasks efficiently means you have more time to do any planning/creative thinking for your business or to enjoy other interests/hobbies.
Here are some tips that might help you complete tasks both efficiently and quickly:
Have a ‘To-Do’ list: By having a list (digital/paper … work and personal) you are much more likely to complete tasks and get them ticked them off; you also won’t forget tasks (😉 well that’s my problem anyway) and ticking them off is so satisfying.
Do the most important tasks first: Don’t put important tasks off, focus on them when your energy is high and your mind is fresh.
Do difficult tasks at your most productive time: If possible do the most difficult tasks at the time of day you are most productive, whether that is first thing, mid-morning or whenever. If you are someone who struggles to get going, especially if you have a daunting list of tasks to complete, then select one or two easier tasks to get you going, tick them off and then tackle the more difficult ones. Having something ticked off can be really motivating!
Set deadlines: Don’t start a task without a planned deadline or you might eat into precious time that should be directed towards other tasks. So set time slots for tasks and try to keep to them.
Note things down: How many times do you have a brilliant idea when you are to at your desk and then by the time you are at your desk you have completely forgotten what it was? Have a notepad and pen at the ready to capture these ideas, or use a notepad on your phone/computer.
Take regular breaks: Seriously this is important and so good for you … they don’t have to be long breaks, just make a cuppa or stand and stretch, but the movement and distraction are really good for you and your mind. A short break might even help solve an earlier problem when you return to your desk.
Complete today’s tasks today: Your ‘To-Do’ list is there to help you get the tasks done on the that day … so try and do this; unless of course you are reliant on someone else and are therefore not in control of completing a task. Remember you will already have other tasks planned for the next day, so any tasks not completed will have a knock-on effect. Oh and the sense of achievement when your ‘To-Do’ list is completed is something else!
Don’t look for perfection: Well how do you even measure perfection? Of course all tasks need to be done to the highest of standards BUT it is more important to get things completed than perfect; and nobody/nothing is perfect. So complete a task to the best of your ability. If you know Michelle Rose of Michelle Rose Marketing … she is all for ‘Done not Perfect’!
Plan before starting: When you are given a new task do not rush into it without proper planning; unless of course it is a task that you have done before and really know what you are doing. If you do a task in haste you will probably spend even more time on it in the long run as you will have revisions etc.
Focus: Focus on the one task at a time, give it your full concentration, then move onto the next one. When you are not paying attention you can make mistakes so give any task your undivided attention.
Another thing … delegation is a very effective way to get things done and give you more time for other important work. Delegate the tasks that you really don’t enjoy, that you don’t do well or that take you too long.
Oh, and just one more tip … only use apps if they are really going to help you. If they are actually going to involve more work, duplication of work and take more time … then don’t use them!
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Cornerstone pa services is here to help YOU and your business. Do get in touch if you have admin tasks to outsource and give yourself more time to focus on other aspects of your business. No task is ever too small or too tedious.