Those of us who work in the senior care industry know how quickly the tasks can pile up. Especially with the growing number of senior citizens, many care workers are stretched thin and juggling more projects than ever. In order to meet this growing demand, it is important to be as productive and efficient as possible. Otherwise, there is a real risk that your work-life balance will suffer, and you could experience the harsh side effects of burn out.
So how can you become as productive as possible? Keep in mind the following tips.
Start your day with the most important task
The idea of knocking off the simplest items on your to-do list first thing in the morning can seem very alluring. Many people think that this will help put them in the mindset for a productive day and get in the groove of work. However, it does not usually work out this way. More often than not, we get distracted by all of the little unforeseen things that pop up throughout the day. Accomplishing your most critical tasks early on is the only way to make sure they are not on your to-do list tomorrow.
Use your time strategically
Take a look at your typical workday. Chances are there are pockets of time that you will have available. Depending on your schedule, some windows will be longer and others shorter. You should be scheduling your tasks accordingly. When you know you only have fifteen minutes between meetings, do not start working on a big writing assignment. Instead, use this time to get some things like emails done completely.
Avoid the temptation to multitask
This is an area where many people have the best of intentions, but end up doing more harm than good. Focus your attention fully and wholly on a single task at a given time. By splitting your attention on a variety of tasks, they will typically take longer to complete and the quality of work will suffer. This can also lead to forgetfulness and feelings of anxiety.
Limit certain computer activities
Email is what keeps the modern workplace going, but it can also be incredibly distracting. When a new email comes it, it can often derail what we are currently working on, and make it difficult to regain the momentum again later. Instead, try checking your email once in the morning and again before you leave for the day. It may also be helpful to limit your time on social media. There are a number of apps you can download that can disable these sites during certain times.
Bonus Hack: Keep yourself accountable
You are dedicated to becoming more productive – great! Start implementing the above tips, but also tell a friend or colleague about them. By doing so, you will be more likely to actually continue them over time.
Photo by Carl Heyerdahl on Unsplash