Planning Ahead For Productivity, Part 1 Don't-leave-it-till-the-last-minute tips that'll get you in gear.

Jan 14, 2002

If you tend to procrastinate or find yourself overwhelmed byyour workload, there are steps you can take to get the situationunder control. Shale Paul, a personal effectiveness coach inTallahassee, Florida, offers these tips for taking action:

Take time to get organized. A cluttered workspace can betremendously distracting. "Get rid of everything that isextraneous in your workplace or office, and have an assigned placefor everything else," says Paul. "It takes time to getorganized, but it pays off in less time wasted."
Begin the night before. Don't wait 'til Monday morningto plan your day or week. Paul recommends setting aside time onSunday, when you're relaxed, to decide what you want toaccomplish during the week and to plan your schedule for the nextday. Then each evening, plan the following day so you start eachmorning knowing what you're going to do.
Prioritize your plans. Not all tasks are of equal importance,effort or duration, so keep your priorities in mind as you scheduleyour time.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Most Popular

See all

Growing a Business

The Best Way to Run a Business Meeting

All too often, meetings run longer than they should and fail to keep attendees engaged. Here's how to run a meeting the right way.

By Jacqueline Whitmore

Fundraising

Working Remote? These Are the Biggest Dos and Don'ts of Video Conferencing

As more and more businesses go remote, these are ways to be more effective and efficient on conference calls.

By Bryan Lovgren

Business Solutions

Boost Business Efficiency with Five Years of Control D for $40

Secure, optimize, and customize your internet experience with this tool.

By StackCommerce

Franchise

7-Eleven Stores in the U.S. Will Introduce Some Japanese-Inspired Changes. Here's What to Expect.

You'll soon be able to pick up some fresh sushi or a new type of snack at your local 7-Eleven — but the Big Gulp isn't going away.

By Carl Stoffers

Marketing

Launching Your First Paid Product? Here's How to Successfully Turn Your Expertise Into Profit

Are you ready to launch your first paid product but feeling nervous? Don't worry — starting small with the right type of product is the secret to success. Read on to learn how to outline clear benefits, value price, leverage social media marketing and deliver excellent customer experience.

By Murali Nethi

Starting a Business

How to Find the Right Programmers: A Brief Guideline for Startup Founders

For startup founders under a plethora of challenges like timing, investors and changing market demand, it is extremely hard to hire programmers who can deliver.

By Vasily Voropaev