How To Start Your Day Smart And Productive –Everyday
Posted by
eli
on 9/21/09• Categorized as Business Advice
Each one of us has the same 24 hours a day, and it is how we use the same number of hours daily that will determine our output, results, how we achieve our goals and objectives and, in the end, our success or failure.
image from www.sxc.hu
Last week, I visited the offices of a power utility company, a telephone company, a bank, and an office engaged in lending. I usually transact business during the first hour of work, so that I could finish early, and for me to have ample time to get to my office and work.
I have observed that many office staff and employees in the aforementioned offices, during that first hour of reporting for work, were busy making conversation with their colleagues, texting using their cellular phones, talking to the phone, while some are drinking coffee, still talking to their officemates.
The manager of a bank, who is my MBA classmate in graduate school of management many years back, asked my recommendation or tips on how to maximize the productivity of his staff.
I told him that I’m no efficiency expert but since we spend most of the working hours daily in our work, he can improve the quality of his workday and that of his staff by making the best use of the first few minutes and finishing the day with a plan for the next.
I realized the tips are applicable in any given workplace and office, so in general, here’s what to avoid or minimize:
1. Social conversations with co-workers at the beginning of the day. While socializing is part of life at work, it must not be given first priority as it will get in the way of work. Focus on the work first.
2. E-mail. Don’t open your e-mail first hour of work. Much of the e-mails are routine and rarely concern work. However, opening e-mail first is usually a habit which comes from curiosity and a desire to know. But not during the first hour of work, and not during the office hours.
3. Texting and calls. Many people are composing, sending and reading short text messages (SMS) in the workplace, first hour of work, and before finally settling to work. This is distracting and a time-waster.
4). Colleagues who drop by. This is also another interruption that lessen productivity on the job. If it is not job-related, avoid entertaining colleagues during the first working hour.
5). The coffee break. Do not begin your work by having coffee break. Drink coffee when you have already spend the first few hours working productively.
What to do:
1). Start your day with a plan. The last task before you go home each day ought to be arranging the next day’s schedule.
2). Finish the day with a plan. The productive worker always plans the next morning’s activity.
In summary, you can improve the quality of your workday by making the best use of the first hour and finishing the day with a plan for the next.
This is a good tips. What more can I add? Except to say that it’s very useful to me as a supervisor in a call center. I will adopt your tips. Thanks for posting.
I agree to your suggestion. This is what I’ve been looking for, I mean, ideas on how to make my working days in my office productive. Your blog is always worth visiting for your great ideas.
I think this is great advice. I do stuff at home but often get side tracked, especially on a couple of social networking sites. Although I make cahs from those I need to minimize my time on there unless it is more productive, way to go….
This is very interesting to read. Very nice blog. Good one.
I am guilty as charged, LOL! Nos. 1 & 3. I am not much of a texter/ caller though because I often don’t have credits so I am spared, haha! No. 1 is always tempting especially when my boss and his secretary are both bloggers. We often share what we read at blogs and the conversation is just never ending!
I always make sure though that I set out a goal to accomplish something at work. At the end of the day, I go back to where I started and calculate how much work I have accomplished. Sometimes I get too busy that I don’t anymore calculate, hehe! With the tight sked we have at work presently, all the above mentioned distractions in the workplace are not applicable
I have a notebook where I write down all the tasks that I need to accomplish for the day. If I was not able to accomplish one task, I will add it the next day. It serves as a reminder of my priorities in the office so that I will avoid doing unnecessary and unproductive things.