help turn your goal from a dream into a reality and will increase your produc- tivity by helping you stay focused and organized.


4. MAKE A DAILY TO-DO LIST Before you leave work at the end of each day, make a list of the most im- portant things to accomplish the next day. Start with only five or six and – as you learn how to prioritize your work and manage your time – challenge yourself by adding more items. Begin each day with the highest priority task even if you complete only part of it. Resist the urge to bump the tasks you dislike to the bottom of the list. The sooner you get them done, the sooner you can move on to some- thing you enjoy.


5. DETERMINE THE BEST USE OF YOUR TIME When you hit a roadblock, find a way around it and get back on course. When someone sets up a roadblock to your productivity at work, politely steer around it. The next time some- one wants to stand and talk with you for 15 minutes, ask that person to help you finish your project so you’ll have time to listen. Maybe you’ll get some extra assistance with your work!


6. IMMEDIATELY ORGANIZE DOCUMENTATION


The first time you look at a piece of paper or correspondence, make a decision to either handle, file, or get rid of it. Designate two of your desk drawers as high priority and low prior- ity. Before you leave each day, clean off your desk and put each paper in the appropriate drawer.


7. DON’T PUT OFF UNTIL TO- MORROW WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY Procrastination leads to frustration, sleeplessness, missed deadlines, and tension. To avoid procrastination, stick to the order of tasks on your prior- ity list. Don’t put off something you dread – get it over with.


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8. DEVELOP GOOD COMMUNI- CATION SKILLS Most of us probably underestimate the amount of time wasted on poor communication. When you’re un- certain about how to complete or prioritize your tasks, ask for help. Make sure you understand the people you speak with (or take instructions from) by listening carefully and asking questions.


Make Time Work for You


Today – and this minute – are like liquid cash in hand; yesterday and a few minutes ago are merely canceled checks. Tomorrow is yet another promis- sory note. To put time to work, like money earning interest in the bank, live your day in 15-minute time-capsuled cycles.


At the beginning of every 15-minute period, stop and carefully consider the situation. 1. See clearly the problem you’re grappling with or the objective you’ve set. Identify what you must do to complete it as quickly as possible.


2. Target the causes of the problem or current activity. Analyze the current action you’ve taken. Is it having a positive or negative influence on completing the desired objective?


3. Organize options. Can you implement alternative solutions to the task, problem, or current activity?


4. Plan your work and proceed. Initiate the best action plan to accomplish the result you want. Do it now.


By applying the four steps of the 15-minute action steps, you will elimi- nate many time wasters and increase your productivity. Use the 15-minute cycles as times to start and finish activities. If a task will take more than 15 minutes, just subdivide the task into 15-minute cycles for continued checks. This way, you can constantly monitor yourself and, if you become sidetracked, you will be able to get back on course without losing valuable time.


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It’s impossible to completely avoid on-the-job pressure and frustration, but you can take measures to keep it under control. Peak performance and job satisfaction stem from positive thinking, hard work, and solid time management skills. Take the time to re-examine your attitude and work habits to help you stay motivated, energetic, and productive. 


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