There just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything you need to get done, right? I totally agree with this, but unfortunately we can’t make our day any longer; we’ve got to work with what we’ve got.
Working part time, I most definitely feel as though I don’t have enough time in the office to get on top of my workload. And I know a lot of people who work part time feel the same way. I feel as though I work efficiently but there are always areas to improve on.
Here are a few tips to help you get a bit more done at work.
Be more intentional with your time
It is so so easy to waste time at work. I read a stat somewhere which said that the average worker is only actually productive for 2-3 hours a day. 2-3 hours a day! If that’s true, isn’t that crazy? But I can see how easily that can happen. Do you check your phone (for non work-related stuff) a little too often? Are you drinking ten cups of tea and coffee a day? Do you get caught up in too many conversations with colleagues?
The first step to being more intentional with your time is to recognise how you are actually spending your time at work. Obviously it’s important to take regular breaks – especially from your screen – but try to monitor yourself (truthfully!) for a couple of days and see if you can identify a few areas where you could improve and spend your time more wisely.
Be more assertive
Assertiveness doesn’t come naturally to all of us, but if you can learn to be more assertive at work, you’re going to be able to better manage your workload by not being a ‘yes’ person all the time.
I think we’ve all been the ‘yes’ person at some point in our careers. When we agree to more and more work, and shorter and shorter deadlines just to please your boss. Sound familiar?
As much as we all want to progress in our careers, we need to be able to recognise our limits. If we’re being taken advantage of, we need to have the confidence to say so.
Without additional distractions, you’ll be able to focus on getting more of your actual work done.
Organise your to-do list
A really good tip is to actually prepare your to-do list and prioritise tasks before you leave for the day. This means that when you arrive in the morning, you know exactly what you need to get done and can just get on with it.
It is also psychologically a good way to end your work day. You can tick off what you’ve done and head home knowing that you already have a handle on the next day. You’ll leave feeling much more positive and on top of things.
Learn when you do your best work
Some of us are more productive in the morning, others are not. Have a think about when you feel your best and most alert. Some research suggests that the two hours after you wake up are best but it will be different for everyone.
Once you’ve identified your best time to work, prioritise more difficult tasks for then so you’re more likely to get them done, and do them well.
It’s really about finding your natural work rhythm and using it to your advantage.
Share your thoughts
Do you have tips to share? Please feel free to comment below.
Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post.