"Success is a result of long-term planning and daily action."
1. Focus on what is important
- Make a plane of your daily tasks and emphasize on the most urgent tasks which can’t be delayed.
- Remind yourself of your long-term goals and revise them when necessary.
- Set daily priorities to meet your goals.
2. Manage your time well
- Schedule quiet time at work to accomplish tasks that need extra concentration.
- Do your most challenging work when your energy is at its highest; save less demanding work for other times.
- If you tend to procrastinate, focus on the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when the job is done. Use commute time to plan your day’s activities.
3. Use calendars and planners
- Check your work calendar daily to review your activities and avoid conflicts.
- Write down all commitments in pencil rather than trusting your memory.
- Use planning and scheduling forms and software to help you map out long-term projects.
4. Manage your mail and phone calls
- Sort incoming mail into categories by priority or action.
- Use voice mail to screen phone calls.
5. Reduce clutter
- Clear your workspace.
- Keep only the most critical items and information you need daily on the top of your desk.
- Archive resource materials you rarely use.
- Toss out duplicate information and materials that will soon be outdated.
- Leave blank space on bookshelves for growth.
6. Stay organized
- Organize files by priority and keep the most important ones within arm’s reach.
- Spend 15 minutes at the end of each day clearing your desk and 15 minutes the next morning planning for your day’s activities.
- Review items one through six on this list.