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Do it Now…How to Get More Organized at Work

January 18, 2019Lori Rohrbach

According to the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, working to your greatest potential and being more efficient are directly linked to increased productivity.  And who doesn’t want to be more productive? Your boss wants higher productivity from you, you want to get more done in your day.  Time is your most valuable commodity, and tackling your to-do list seems more attainable when you have a game plan. And doesn’t wasting time at work cause you stress and can cost your company money?

All of these are good reasons to consider these five tips to getting more organized at work:

1. Create an hourly schedule

Usually, we know what needs to get done by the end of our workday. But, as we all know surprises come up like deadlines, fire drills and crises that can put our schedule into a tailspin. If you have a working to-do list with deadlines, you can build from there.  Make sure conference calls, project deadlines and meetings are clearly on your calendar.  If your schedule is clear and neat, your tasks are easier to mark off as you complete them.

2. Get to your desk a few minutes earlier

If your morning routine seems a bit unorganized, begin a few minutes earlier. As little as 10 minutes may make a world of difference and can raise your organization game.  You can settle at your desk with coffee or tea, turn on your computer and start your day calm and collected.

3. File, Scan or Toss

De-clutter your desk, especially paper. File paperwork or toss it. Even better, scan it and save it to e-folders. It’s daunting and uninspiring to start your day at work with mountains of paper. Become a paper minimalist and create a nifty filing system.

4. Embrace technology

There are apps that manage your schedule and your Outlook calendar does, too. Send meeting requests through Google or Outlook to keep your schedule accurate and use apps to make sure you’re on time. Keeping a calendar is paramount for organizing your busy days. When your computer and phone are in sync, you’re an organizational guru who’s succeeding at work.

5. Take your lunch break

Being organized also has a mental component. The hourly grind can make you cranky, especially when you’re hungry. Step away from your desk and grab a healthy lunch, take a walk, or listen to a podcast.  When you return, the second half of your day will hopefully be as organized as your morning.

Author: Erica Lamberg

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Eight Work-From-Home Etiquette Tips

Eight Work-From-Home Etiquette Tips

 

Whether telecommuting is old hat or something you’ve been forced into as part of the COVID-19 shutdown, here are a few tips to make the experience run smoothly for both employers and employees.

 

Managing expectations

Successful work-from-home strategies always begin with clearly communicated expectations. Make sure your employees have any necessary equipment, tools and resources.  Will they need to track their time? Participate in regularly scheduled meetings? Be available at certain times of day? For employees, know what you’re accountable for and clearly communicate any challenges you’re having.

 

Constant communication

Keep the lines of communication open and be accessible. Check in with employees regularly through apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts and Skype, or even an old-fashioned email or phone call. Be genuinely interested in how they’re doing but don’t overdo it. Foster a feeling of trust by not micromanaging.

 

Nine to five…ish

While having a daily schedule is ideal, it may not always be practical right now. Make sure your people know when you need them to be available and try to offer flexibility at other times. They may be juggling school schedules as well as work schedules and working at “off-shift” times may be necessary. Be mindful of employees in different time zones as well.

 

For employees, try to work when you’re at your best, and not when you’re exhausted by kindergarten playtime and fourth grade math. Make sure people know if you will be unavailable at certain times.

 

Taking a break

Getting up and moving clears the head and helps with creativity and problem-solving. Whether it’s a walk around the block or a break for lunch, make time to get away from your desk throughout the day.

 

Signing off

Working from home does not mean being available 24/7. Set an actual end to the workday if possible. Don’t send and respond to messages at all hours. Sign out of messaging apps and close work programs. Understand and respect these boundaries.

 

Location, location, location

When setting up a home office, think about where you will have the fewest distractions – for yourself and for those who may be seeing you and your background on a video conferencing platform. Try to avoid busy spots that may include semi-clad people walking behind you, barking dogs and kids vying for your attention.

 

Conferencing and calls

Be clear about whether you expect people to turn on their cameras during meetings. If so, be clear about how they should be dressed. During calls, mute your phone when you’re not talking to avoid background noise. Headphones can also help with call quality. When speaking, pause frequently so others can participate in the conversation.

 

Social engagement

It’s ok for managers and employees to have some down time together, which may help ward off feelings of isolation. Keep up your normal level of interaction, perhaps with a virtual coffee break or happy hour. Managers should set the tone for how casual to be. Let employees choose what they would like to share, and never pry into areas that were off-limits before.

 

 

Author: Erin Alderfer

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