The more you can set up your workdays to operate on autopilot, the better off you’ll be. Your individual style will determine the exact nature of your individual routines, but the key is to have them. Know what you’re going to do each day and jump right in without giving yourself the chance to be distracted by something else you’d rather do.
You may think of routines as boring, but your subconscious interprets them as peaceful and consistent. You’ll save time and energy every day making hundreds of little decisions. When your mind doesn’t have to make decisions about small things, it’s free for concentrating on more important tasks throughout the day.
Following are some good routines to incorporate into your day.
- Create a morning ritual that helps you make that mental transition from being “at home” to being “at work.” Every morning, get up, shower, and get dressed. No one works effectively in their pajamas.
- When you work, close the door to shut out distractions and interruptions.
- Take note of personal and household patterns during the day. Work on important issues when your energy and attention are at their peak and household distractions are low.
- Make a list of the three high-priority things you want to accomplish each day and don’t open your email program until the first one is done.
- Process email only at pre-scheduled times.
- Each time you use a file, quickly go through it and see if anything is outdated and can be tossed.
- As you notice or use the items in your office each day, evaluate them. If they’re no longer useful, get rid of them.
- Set up multiple out-of-office appointments on the same day to consolidate travel time.
- If appointments are made well in advance, call the day before to confirm.
- Create a file for driving directions to places you go infrequently so you won’t need to ask or look them up again.
- When you finish the priority items on your list, reward yourself.
- Every night create your to-do list and schedule for the following day.
- Take 15 – 30 minutes at the end of each workday to restore order to your office. Leave your office with a clean desk except for the next day’s folder from your tickler file. You’ll appreciate it the next morning when you walk into an office that’s ready for work.
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