Stop Making These Same Mistakes Every Day!

Today’s going to be different.

Instead of letting your work day take control of you, you’re going to take the proverbial bull by the horns. Check off those to do’s. And get off to a more productive start, by not making these common mistakes that can quickly derail your morning:

• Failing to plan.
  Leaving work without having a clear idea of what you need to accomplish the next day is a recipe for inefficiency and reactivity. End each work day with a brief planning session, so you begin the next morning with purpose.

• Thumbing through your phone.
  Sure, they’re fun and entertaining, but sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are also time-wasting quicksand. In fact, data from Nielsen indicates that adults in the U.S. spent an average of more than 30 hours per month on their phones at the end of 2013! If you’re not sure how much time you spend on your phone, try tracking it with an app like Moment. And if you want to limit your social media usage during work hours, Moment can do that, too.
   
• Diving right into email.
  If you open your Inbox as soon as you take a seat at your desk, you may find yourself responding to others’ requests, fighting fires and generally getting off track. Email is undoubtedly important, but you should prioritize a list of what you must accomplish each day before you dive into that Inbox. Then, check your email only at predetermined intervals throughout the day (and if you’re expecting an important email, setup an alert to notify you – so you can safely resist the urge to respond to that familiar “ding.”)
   
• Procrastinating.
  Even if you’re not a “morning person,” putting off tough or unpleasant tasks only preoccupies your brain – and makes you dread the afternoon. Discipline yourself to tackle top priorities and essential tasks early, so you head into the lunch hour knowing that you’re “over the hump.”
   
• Multitasking.
  Think you’re twice as productive when you do two things at once? Think again. Research has proven that multitasking is a myth! Instead of your brain focusing on two thing simultaneously, it actually continually switches back and forth between the two – so you’re not able to give either your full attention. A better strategy? Focus serially. You’ll experience less stress and get more done.

On their own, each of these mistakes is small – but fixing them can save you hours and help you get more done, every day.

Get your job search off to a more productive start – by registering with PrideStaff.

As a leading national employment agency, we have the relationships, resources and opportunities you need. Contact the PrideStaff office in your area to find out more about great local job opportunities.