Every day brings with it new tasks, situations, and a to-do list that may get overwhelming. Thinking of the day ahead and the things that need to get done can be stressful and frustration may take over. One proven solution to stay in control is to apply prioritizing techniques.
Prioritizing what must get done in a day is a skill that anyone can acquire with a little bit of organization and discipline. However, learning to stay focused and focused on goals requires determination and persistence.
Each day, one gets to do planned activities and unplanned activities. It is easy to prioritize planned activities. Applying a few prioritizing techniques will increase efficiency on a normal day. As for the unplanned activities that unexpectedly come up, the best way to handle them is by making decisions that are focused on business goals.
Techniques that may help in the prioritizing process:
- Create a To-Do list the night before. Just work on a list without even thinking of what should get done first or last.
- First thing in the morning, get the To-Do list and read it carefully. Based on business goals for the day take out the tasks that may not seem important for that day.
- Number the remaining items on the To-Do list based on importance to the set goals for the day.
- Deal with unplanned activities that may unexpectedly arise, by making decisions that are based on daily goals.
During the prioritizing process, learning to say “No” may seem a difficult practice at first. However, it is a practice that needs to get done in order to stay focused on the prime tasks assigned for each day.