Staying Organized at Work
Like many of my coworker, I have a jam packed schedule. I feel there is sometimes so much I have to do in such a short amount of time on even the best of days. However, when you throw in multiple projects, extra tasks, and everything else on top of it, it can be downright overwhelming!
The key to dealing with stress at the workplace is to simply stay organized. It doesn’t matter if you are working on just one or multiple projects, staying organized will make those unbearable days seem possible. Through my experience juggling multiple tasks at once as well as advice from my friends and coworkers, there have been a few tips that have helped them and myself stay afloat at work.
1. Have a to-do list
Having a list of everything you need to accomplish is a great way to keep on top of everything that you need to do. Some people decide to make multiple to-do lists broken down by daily, weekly, or even monthly tasks. I, however, feel that having an ongoing list of things to do works best for me. As soon I am assigned a new task or project, I immediately write it down so I do not forget it. It doesn’t matter which one you decide to use, as long as it works for you, stick to it.
Another great thing about a to-do list is that you can easily prioritize which tasks need to be accomplished first and which ones can be put on the back burner. I always tell my friends to be like Santa, look at your list and check it twice. From there you can see which tasks you should be paying attention to first. After you complete that job, check it off and move to the next one. Nothing feels better than looking back at your list and seeing how much work you’ve accomplished!
2. Tidy up
This one seems simple enough, but it works more times than not. Having a cluttered office or work area often leads to misplacement of papers, losing files, and stress. A good piece of advice is to take a few minutes each week to go through your things and decide what you do and do not need. This will clear up a lot of space and makes it easier for you to stay on top of where you put things.
Once again, this is not a one size fits all type of deal. If you like clutter or as I like to call it an ‘organized mess,’ by all means stick to what works best for you.
3. Invest in a calendar or planner
Having a calendar at your desk is a great way to stay on top of all your meetings, appointments, and other important events that are going on. It is also a very convenient way for you to avoid conflicts and other commitments that are already on your plate. One of the worst feelings you can have at work is to know that you double booked a time with two different people. That means you have to stand one of those two people up, and no one likes that. I always like to check my calendar as soon as I get into work, so I know where I have to be and when on that day.
There are many different types of calendars you can use. Microsoft Outlook as well as Google Calendars are great ways to organize your time. This also allows you to share your schedule with other people in the office. Another alternative is to have an actual print copy at your desk if you like to have something physical in front of you.
These are just some of the useful things that have helped me stay on top of my game at work. If you have any tips on how you stay organized or stay afloat at work, let us know and share it with the rest of us!
