Improving Productivity

At the conclusion of this training, students will be able to do the following:

• Set and evaluate SMART goals   
• Use routines to maximize their productivity
• Use scheduling tools to make the most of their time
• Stay on top of their to-do list
• Start new tasks and projects on the right foot
• Use basic project management techniques
• Organize their physical and virtual workspaces for maximum efficiency
• Take back time from e-mail and handheld devices
• Beat procrastination

Overview

• Set goals
• Scheduling tools
• Beat procrastination

Setting SMART Goals

• The Three P’s
• The Smart Way
• Prioritizing your goals
• Exploring and adapting

The Power of Routines

• What is a routing?
• Personal routines
• Professional routines
• Six easy ways to simplify your life

Scheduling Yourself

• The simple secret of successful time management
• Developing a tracking system
• Scheduling appointments
• Scheduling tasks

Keeping Yourself on Top of Tasks

• The one-minute rule
• The five-minute rule
• What to do when you feel like you’re sinking

Tackling New Tasks and Projects

• The sliding scale
• Checklist for getting started
• Evaluating and adapting

Using Project Management Techniques

• The Triple Constraint
• Creating the schedule
• Using a RACI chart

Creating a Workspace

• Setting up the physical layout
• Ergonomics 101
• Using your computer efficiently

Organizing Files and Folders

• Organizing paper files
• Organizing electronic files
• Scheduling archive and clean-up

Managing Email

• Using email time wisely
• Taking action
• Making the most of your email program
• Taking time back from handheld devices

Tackling Procrastination

• Why do we procrastinate
• Nine ways to overcome procrastination
• Eat that frog