Productivity at Work

I don't know about you but many days at work I look up and wonder where the day has gone. Here is some tips that have helped me to increase my efficiency and productivity.

1) Write a daily task list and plan your day every morning. There’s nothing like a task list sitting next to you to keep you focused. When you have a list of the things you need to accomplish in a day, having that close to you constantly reminding you of what needs to be done is a great way of keeping on track. Tackle the phone calls early then move on to the harder tasks.

2)Time boxing. Instead of working at something till it is done, try working on it for a limited period, say 30 mins. By that time, the task is either completed or you allocate another time slot, perhaps in another day, to pick it up again. This way, you keep your work fresh and engaging throughout the entire working day.

3) Setup filters in your email. If you spend a lot of your time communicating and planning in front of your computer, chances are you deal with emails on a frequent basis. Setting up filters in your email client can be a great way of sorting out what’s important and urgent from personal stuff which can wait. Instead of dealing with a single Inbox with hundreds of unread email, you only need to deal with smaller folders categorised by project, priority and context.

Do not check personal email in the morning. Checking personal emails can be very distracting even with filters setup. You should check your personal email only after you have a few tasks completed or underway.

4) Set your Skype status to not available.

5) Turn-on the music or just where noise canceling ear phones. Be careful that music choices are not distracting.

6)Take a break every 15 minutes get out of chair for every 45 minutes

7) Keep your work space clean. Clean desk, and organized will make you feel better.


8) Limit your internet surfering. This can be a major distraction.

9) Change your perception, and challenge yourself to make work fun and stay connected people. Remeber people are good.

Demotions at Work

Wether a demotion is due to circumstances or by self-inflicted behavior the result is the same. I have been climbing out of the demoralizing hole of a demotion for the past year. I will be the first to say that it creates many challenges from ego to reputation. It has been an up hill battle, and takes twice as much effort then someone who hasn't gotten themselves in this predictament. It becomes a challenge of both reality and perceptions.

The first step is to separate your bruised ego from who you are. It is important to remember that you are not your job. Take the time to look at who you are besides your job.

If you do get demoted do not think you have no power with your boss. Negotiate to not take a salary decrease but possible just a title demotion. You would be surprised at how this works.

Let your boss know you are willing to change, and want the opportunity to progress and become a contributing member of the team.

Most important remember you are a good person, and make sure to find outlets outside of work so that work does not become your only focus of attention.

Happiness at Work

I need to evaluate what makes me happy at work?

- I need to know I am working on things that make a difference
- I need to know I am appreciated through compensation and encouragement
- I need to know that my opinion matters
- I need to have interesting and challenging work
- I need to feel that I am learning and growing
- I need to have a career path
- I need to know it is acceptable to take risks and fail without negative consequences
- I need to have time to recharge my batteries, and think out side the box