Disorganization is the enemy of productivity. It can lead to wasted time and effort, and even poor performance on the job. Beyond just keeping an organized workspace, how well you organize your tasks, your time and all those ones and zeros can have a big impact on your execution. The following tips from AmTrust Financial on how to get organized at work can boost your efforts.
1. Organize Your Work Desk
Failing to keep an organized work desk doesn't just look unprofessional – it can actually slow you down on the job. If you have papers piled haphazardly and important documents left unfiled, you'll end up wasting valuable time whenever you have to look for something you need. That's why at AmTrust Financial, making sure everyone has enough desk organizers and filing spaces to keep things orderly is a no-brainer. Ask your employer to provide these tools and others to help you keep an organized workstation.
2. Have a To-Do List
A to-do list is a simple thing to implement, but it's also your best friend when it comes to organizing your tasks. Try making your next day's to-do list before leaving work, or create one first thing in the morning when you get into the office. Then, focus on one task on your to-do list at a time, and tackle the most critical items first. Multitasking can often undermine your to-do list, and can end up wasting time by diluting your attention and productivity away from the task at hand.
3. Keep a Calendar
A calendar can do wonders for keeping your work life organized. Some calendar programs are now even able to scan your emails and chat messages for meetings and commitments. Be sure to keep an up-to-date calendar, and don't forget to take advantage of reminders that alert you when you have an event coming up. Of course, you can also go for the traditional pen-and-paper route. Whichever method you choose, keeping your events organized in a single calendar is a great way to stay on top of things.
4. Organize Your Digital Desktop
Just as it's important to keep an actual organized work desk, it's also essential nowadays to make sure your digital desktop is organized. Pick a system to keep files in their proper place, including folders built around projects, clients and vendors. This goes for email, as well – keeping yours smartly organized can make it much easier to find that important message when you need it. And if you have to work with more documents than one screen can handle, ask your employer about setting up a second monitor. As many AmTrust Financial employees can tell you, having a dual-screen setup can be an organizational lifesaver.
Getting organized at work may seem hard at first, but making big changes starts with little steps. With these tips, keeping an organized workspace – from your physical desk to your virtual desktop – can be easier than you think. Once you get in the habit of staying organized, you'll wonder how you ever worked any other way.
This material is for informational purposes only and is not legal or business advice. Neither AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates represents or warrants that the information contained herein is appropriate or suitable for any specific business or legal purpose. Readers seeking resolution of specific questions should consult their business and/or legal advisors.