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Management 101: Tips on working smart

Are you having a hard time finishing tasks? Are you always late? Do you always have to ask for a deadline extension? Does your load seem more than you can handle? Do you always do overtime work and miss out on a lot of things because of it?
Either you need to rethink your job choice or you just need to learn how to organize yourselfed. For most people I’ve worked with during my time in the ad agency industry, overtime and extended deadlines are norms. There are some industries with jobs that would really require you to push yourself to the limit. However, it can be expected that the employee compensation and benefits from these jobs are commensurate to the work load being asked of the person. This is why very few people qualify and become successful on these careers. On the other hand, if you see that your job is just as hard and your pay is not even close to half of what you think you should get, it is best to review your options.
However, it may also be an issue of personal time management. My boss always say that working hard doesn't always get you to where you want to be. He always believe that those who think first before working would get better results than those working hard without planning. It would really be a waste of time and effort if you work on something that you would not even be able to use at all. This is why one should always plan ahead. Here’s are a few things that will help you in planning your tasks.
Make a ‘to do’ list and stick to it
Each morning before I do anything, I always jot down the things I need to accomplish for the day in a small 'to do' list. Usually, I’d start with the list from the previous day and see what I failed to finish then. I usually prioritize those before thinking of other items to add in the list. All throughout the day, I will refer to the list as I finish my tasks one by one. I don’t usually start with a new item unless I am able to completely finish the last task. I also imagine each task’s timing and note how much it will take me to finish the job. At the end of the day, I check or cross out the things that I was able to accomplish for the day. And the same goes for the next day and the day after that and so on.
Plot out a simple calendar or at least list out the dates to remember for that week
I’m not so good at using planner notebooks. What I do is just to list the dates that I remember in my notebook. I do this on a per week basis, so as not to get confused with movements in schedules. I also try to work out my schedule the week before with my assistant and my colleagues. I ask my assistant to remind me of schedules at least a day before so I can prepare for it ahead of time.
Try to separate personal stuffs from work
If you’re a working mom like me, emergencies are almost inevitable. But it can be preventable and manageable if you have and seek the right help. I work in Pasig and I live in Angono so you can just imagine the time I spend traveling to and from work. I often come home late and don’t usually see my daughter awake when I reach home. But since I enjoy flexible schedule at work, I plan my day by going to work early so I can also go home early. Sometimes, I also go to work late when I’ve already ironed out things in the office the day before. I spend time with my daughter during the morning before I go to work and before she takes her morning nap. I rarely go on leave and when I do, I usually take long leaves so that I’m able to enjoy with my family for the entire week and not just for a few days. I know I work hard so I look forward to these leaves as rewarding moments for me.
Take control of your workload
Taking on workload if you are not yet in a managerial position may be very stressful but try to plan ahead and give each single task ample importance. Finishing one task for the day is better than starting 5 and not finishing any. Monitor your timing and note how much you spend on one particular task so that when you encounter a similar task, you will know how much time it would take to finish it.
Any task no matter how tedious and big it may be can be performed efficiently without doing long hours of overtime. One only needs to focus, organize and take control of work. As they always say, it is good to work hard but it’s always best to work smart.

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