“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain
In our fast-paced business culture most projects rely on individual contributions. Each person is responsible for their part, to ensure goals and deadlines are met on time. However, it is easy to become distracted by the responsibilities of our team members and lose track of personal responsibilities. We are bombarded with tasks that demand immediate attention: emails, voicemails, post-it notes on our monitors, or co-workers asking for assistance. As a result, we may become frustrated and lose sight of our goals.
But, staying focused is possible and implementing different strategies to improve productivity can help. These time-tested methods have been proven to work:
- The 80/20 Rule or the Pareto Principle, states that 80% of your results come from 20% your efforts. Identifying and completing the most impactful tasks on your to-do list will create your most successful days. The biggest advantage of using this principle is that you can create the maximum amount of impact with the least amount of work.
- The Ivy Lee Method helps you start your day successfully. Before your workday is over, spend a few minutes preparing a short list of tasks to accomplish the following day, in order of importance. Also, avoid multitasking, as doing too many tasks at once may result in a loss of productivity and an inefficient workday.
- A strong Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform develops, retains, and stores your customer relationship. This method keeps all your information in one place for easy access, better organization, and improved client relationships.
It is worth stating that even the best methods are futile if you don’t stick with the process. However, if you hold yourself accountable, over time, you will see positive results. When you feel productive, increased commitment, efficiency, and engagement tend to follow.