No matter what we do, we are always at risk of being distracted from our primary goals during our work day. You only need to look at the potential that distractions like email provide, or an angry person screaming at you on the phone, demanding answers to a project you completed weeks ago, and so on. In other cases, you might just say that life has taken over, with respect to you running around, seemingly aimlessly, always in a rush, and wondering what you actually achieved during your day.

As it turns out, we can all suffer from days like this sometimes, whether it is at work, at home, or anywhere else. However, I want to point out some steps we can take to reduce the chances of this happening to us every day. It is absolutely normal to experience hectic, and sometimes, seemingly out of control days occasionally, but we need to guard against this happening on a regular basis.

Be Determined

This may seem an obvious statement, but mentally deciding that you are going to do something to improve your organisational skills is a massive step towards improvement. It is absolutely alright to literally tell yourself each morning that you are determined to make a difference, and move towards your goals. This may be a case of getting up twenty minutes earlier, to spend some time planning and arranging your list of priorities. It may be getting to the office a little earlier, before everyone else arrives, and mapping out your objectives. I think you understand, making the decision, and starting is half the battle.

Be Focused

Focus means doing something, with a single point or objective in mind, and not allowing any distractions. I well understand this is very much easier said than done, but to allow even a short burst of time, like fifteen minutes of intense focus can be more productive than two hours of unfocused work.

Planning

Even though I have advised that you make lists, keep an eye on the amount of work you plan for each day, and monitor the amount that gets done. If you are able to keep uo, that is excellent. If you are regularly noticing your list is getting longer and longer, you can do one of two things. You can either delegate, if you are able to, or rather, plan to achieve less, which can actually be more. I say this, as the frustration if not achieving your goals can leave you feeling unaccomplished, or you may end up rushing, and doing noting as well as you might otherwise. Hence, monitor, and adjust as necessary. You may even find that the improved focus exercise above, helps you achieve more in less time, which is the aim.