All week our schedules are full of things that MUST get done. With ringing, dinging and bleeping phones surrounding us everywhere we go . . . it’s a miracle any of us can focus on something for more than the length of a commercial.
Most of the time we are dividing our attention on multiple things at once, rushing from one destination to the next and trying to juggle just one more thing.
Does this sound familiar to you?
Have you ever felt productive rushing around in a panic to get everything done? I never have. Rushing around only makes me feel like I’m missing something, and usually I am.
After buying, reading and putting some of the time management and organization advice to work from Personal Organizing Workbook by Meryle Starr and Simplyfy Your Life by Marcia Ramsland . . . I have to say I am starting to feel better, happier and more productive and I’m finally able to relax during our family time instead of feeling like I should be working or cleaning the house, catching up on laundry or finally adding the moss in between the flagstone path in the back yard.
Just in case you didn’t get the memo, we ALL need time to rest and relax. I don’t know about you, but after reading that article – I will take less harried and more focused any day!
If there is one thing I have learned over the last few years . . . How you manage your time during the week directly impacts how much time you can rest and recharge. Now, I usually get up by between 4 and 5 am Monday -Friday and do my damnedest to sleep in on the weekends, but you have to find a schedule that works for you and your goals.
Here are a few #FinishitFriday habits specifically for tasks you need to finish for the week. :
- Prioritize items on your TODO list that aren’t done yet.
Do those tasks that need your immediate attention FIRST THING in the morning (the earlier the better). Nothing will help you more during your day than feeling accomplished first thing in the morning. NOTE: This will require copious amount of coffee.
- Return missed phone calls.
Set aside at least 10 minutes per call and have pen and paper handy to take notes. Focus completely on these conversations by limiting distractions and letting people in your office know that you need to be undisturbed as you return missed calls for the week.
- Catching up on correspondence.
This means any email, thank you notes, or social media messages you may have missed during the week. This could take as few as 15 minutes or as much as 3 hours.
- Setting time aside to run any errands that got bumped from your schedule during the week.
Picking up the groceries or dry cleaning, going shopping . . . what ever errand you need to run. Now, don’t make this last task an Indy race. Schedule time at the end of the day where you can treat yourself to a cup of coffee and 15 – 30 minutes with a book before heading off on your errands.
Just remember : It’s important to manage your time wisely so that you can enjoy your rest and a more focused family time.
—
What #FinishitFriday tips do you have to help close out your work week?
