The blog post of one of my classmates regarding 8 tips for effective time management inspired me to write something on productivity on my own. End of last year I’ve started to track every activity at work. I started with it, because I realized how much of my limited time I spent on useless tasks every single day. And this is what I’ve changed to stay more focused and to increase my productivity.
Start the day right
- First things first: I always start my day with coffee combined with a nice chat with my colleagues. This gives me the opportunity to stay up to date in an informal way.
Mails
- I stopped checking my mailbox every time I get a new mail and I also stopped answering mails right away. I’ve set specific time frames to check, answer and prioritize my mails.
- Build categories: Divide the mails into subcategories and answer them in one go.
- Zero inbox by the end of the day. This doesn’t mean that every mail has to be answered, but each mail gets a deadline for editing or answering the issue.
Meetings
- Reduce meetings: I’ve spent most of my working days in meetings. So I reduced the amount of meetings and only attend at meetings, if they are really necessary.

Organization
- A bullet journal for work helps me to stay focused and keep an eye on things that are planned further ahead. This helps me to see what’s planned on a monthly, weekly and daily basis.
- By the end of the day I start to plan the first steps for the next morning. This to-do list helps me to reset mentally.
- I also block certain times in my calendar for specific topics and concentrate only on these issues.
- I don’t even try to be perfect. I focus on getting things done!
Teamwork & Delegation
- Learn to delegate tasks and topics to your team members.
- Aks for help.
- Learn to say No.
Other articles related to this topic
These articles from my fellow students are also interesting to read:
I like your tips, especially not reacting to e-mails all the time but to answer them at certain times. I also totally agree that most of us spend too much time in not necessary meetings.
Thank you for mentioning!
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