Improving Productivity outlines seven simple steps to improve work performance: 1. Create a prioritized task list to stay on track and meet goals. 2. Focus first on urgent tasks, then tackle easier items. 3. Only take on new projects once urgent tasks are complete to avoid overwhelm. 4. Recognize that some days tasks may not get done and flexibly continue working from the task list.

1. Improving Productivity
By Rasheeda DeBose
6-14-2011

2. Companies spend large amounts of energy and
money on time management training for
employees. But you can improve your
performance at work by following these simple
steps to organize your work life.

3. 1 Create a task list. There's no way you can tell
if you've been productive or not if you don't know
what you're supposed to be working on. A task
list will keep you on track to meet your goals.
This is also a tool that your business can use to
track performance management.

4. 2 Prioritize your task list. While everything on the
list needs to be completed, some items will be
more time critical than others. Focus on the
urgent tasks first and tackle the easier items on
your list.

5. 3 Don't start new projects until you clear your
urgent tasks. Once you're able to complete your
tasks you've created time in your day to take on
new projects. By continually adding items to your
task list you'll soon become overwhelmed by
everything you have to accomplish. Besides,
you'll learn to love crossing items off your list.

6. 4 Be flexible. There will be some days where all
the time management training in the world won't
help you get all your tasks accomplished. Stuff
happens and you can't get everything done that
you want or need to. As long as you recognize
this will happen on occasion, you can always go
back to your prioritized task list when your time
frees up again.

7. 5 Set deadlines for yourself. If you have a set
quitting time, even if it's one you made yourself,
you'll find that you're more motivated to get your
work done. If you don't have a deadline, you can
never be late which means motivation may be
hard to come by.

8. 6 Eliminate distractions from your work area.
Distractions are whatever it is that keeps you
from being on task. It could be coworkers that
stop by to chat, noise, or a cluttered desk.
Recognize whatever it is that's keeping from
performing at your peak and work to remove it.
One of the easiest solutions is to simply close
your door and focus.

9. 7 Lastly, plan your next day at the end of each
work day. Take time to review your task list and
move incomplete items to the next day. Add new
items and prioritize. You'll be amazed at how
this simple step will make your work easier to
manage.