I have been an organiser in my job for years. I seem to have always flocked towards jobs that require focus, organisation and efficiency. Luckily, I thrive on it. I love it. And I guess it’s what’s landed me in the job that I am in. I will share with you, just a few of my processes that I do daily, which allow me to be as effective as possible, every single day of the week.

1. Make a list for the following day : Every day before you close down:
   When you wind down for the day, everything is buzzing and fresh in your mind. If you list what needs to be done for tomorrow, in order of priority, you are unlikely to forget anything and when you get in tomorrow, you have an immediate game plan right there ready to go. The Beauty of listing by priority, is that when unforeseen things come up (as they do), you can simply shift some of the lower priority jobs to later in the week, so you are in total control. No curveballs here. 

2. Tidy and clear down your desk every evening:
   Never leave your desk in a mess. Tidy it up and put everything away before you go home every day. If you leave it a mess, it’s likely tomorrow will not start productively. If you leave it tidy, you start tomorrow ready to go.

3. Never move the low priority jobs into another week:
   Although you have moved the lower priority jobs over from another day to accommodate other things that have come up, they were on your list in the first place, and still, therefore need to be done. Don’t ever push these over into a different week, as this will start to create a different problem altogether.

4. Take the same lunch break every day and never skip it:
   Taking the same lunch break everyday means that your routine is set and you are working towards the same time goal every single morning. Always make sure you take this break-eat something decent and enjoy it. ALWAYS go and sit elsewhere (do not eat at your desk) and try to leave the office, even if only for a short while. This will help to clear your head and refuel you for a productive afternoon.

5. Have some coffee break rules:
   It’s important that you take refreshment breaks, and it’s important that you stand up often and don’t stare at your screen for hours on end. BUT it’s also very easy to lose a big chunk of time when all you wanted was a quick coffee pit stop. Set yourself reasonable amounts of time, never exceeding 15 minutes. This way you don’t interrupt your flow too much, but still get that refreshment and a stop away from the screen.

6. Set yourself realistic deadlines and be disciplined:
   Look at what you have to do for the day and set each task a realistic deadline. You will be so surprised at how much this improves your working pace and you will see the results in your productivity. 

7. Don’t be too hard on yourself:
   We all make mistakes and slip up from time to time. If or when this happens, acknowledge your mistake, do what you can to fix it and then move on. There is no point in beating yourself up about it, nor is there any point in dwelling on it. Dust yourself off, and carry on.

8. Give yourself some credit:
   It’s very easy to forget to congratulate yourself on your wins. You work hard, you pay your dues. Give yourself some credit and be proud of yourself and your achievements and the work that you have done.  It’s okay to say well done you.

9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help:
   It’s a universal thing that people don’t like to ask for help, especially at work. It does not make you weak, in fact quite the opposite. If you have a problem, asking for help before it escalates is key. Making sure that you solve a puzzle before it becomes an actual issue is the best thing to do. If you don’t know. Ask. Not everyone knows everything and it shows strength of character and determination if you ask someone. 

10. Never stop learning:
    Try and learn something new every day. Whether it be via a book, or internet research or via a colleague. Try to make sure that you are always learning and growing. This will increase your capabilities, knowledge and will help to keep you interested.

I hope that you find these useful. These are things that I have added to my daily life and I feel like I get the very most out of my working day every day. I have little quirks at home too. It’s all about efficiency and minimising stress and strain. Let’s face it, if you are organised, you are unlikely to feel overwhelmed which means you’re less likely to feel stressed.

If you like to get some more tips or find out about the services I offer get in touch with me at: northnorfolkvirtualassistant@outlook.com  or find me on Twitter @NadsNorfolk or check out my website: http://www.northnorfolkvirtualassistant.co.uk/