12 Tips On How To Complete Your Work Tasks Before Lunch
I don’t know about you but if I don’t get my important work completed by lunch, it isn’t going to happen. There is something about the jolt I receive after that lovely morning coffee hits my veins to really get me going. This approach can be substantiated based on the Pareto Principle. This principle states that 80 percent of your results come from 20 percent of your efforts. How it applies to work is that if you complete your important work at the beginning of your day, you’ll accomplish more than if you put it off until the afternoon.
Here’s how to complete the bulk of your work tasks before lunch.
1. Preplan The Night Before
By the evening, you should already have an idea of what you will do the next morning. Otherwise you will just spin your wheels in the morning figuring out what it is you need to do “today”.
2. Keep It Light
If you have something with a deadline – commit to completing that. Do not schedule anything else. Finish your task and then work to complete your other tasks in advance of the when they are due. This is the only way you will accomplish real work.
3. Organize Your Office
Again, before you leave for the day organize your office so you can show up for work the next day and jump right in. Clutter simply creates distractions. It’s “noise” you may not be able to hear but clutter is noise you can see and feel. Clutter will mess with your Feng Shui. Keep your office organized every day in order to think clearer and work harder.
4. Do Your Biggest Tasks First
Start by working on your biggest task first. Once you’ve completed it, then all other work will pale in comparison. By lunch, you’ll be able to enjoy your day and feel a sense of accomplishment.
5. Exercise
If you are a morning person, take advantage and exercise. Exercise can make us think better, work better and be more productive. If you aren’t a morning person, take some time to do some quick exercises in your office cubicle during the afternoon. It will give you the boost you need to keep going.
5. The Schedule Rules Everything Else
Once you’ve set your schedule, do you best not to let yourself veer off course. You have a limited amount of time. Don’t ruin the schedule. Make sure you’ve blocked off actual time in your calendar to complete your important tasks. Don’t let a conference call interrupt your flow.
6. Wear Headphones
Headphones can shut out distractions and keep you focused, especially if you work in an open office. If you aren’t able to properly multi-task by doing work while listening to the beat opt for quiet. Sometimes wearing headphones sends a signal to others that you are focusing on work and cannot be bothered.
7. Write Early
Writing is the most mentally demanding task. If you have a writing project, make sure you tackle that first. You will be amazed at how light you feel at lunch after having gotten that monkey off your back!
8. Work From Home
If you have a lengthy commute, opt to work from home. That hour-long drive in the car not only wastes brainpower, it brings on fatigue. If you must visit the office, go in after you’ve completed your most difficult tasks.
9. No Early Meetings (Or Conference Calls)
Meetings can be a complete energy drain. Never schedule an 8:00AM meeting. By the time it’s over with, you’ve lost all will to get anything meaning full completed. In addition, while you were in the meeting, your work pile got a lot bigger. Avoid meetings if at all possible.
10. No Email
This may be the single most important tip. Do NOT check your email the first thing in the morning. It will lead you astray and doing so will be more destructive to your productivity than wasteful meetings. Save it for after your big task is complete. Otherwise, email will swallow your day when you start off checking it.
11. Make It Routine
If you find that you’ve had a successful morning, do your best to make it a routine. Each time you find yourself doing something over and over the better you’ll be at it. Once you find a routine, stick with it. It’s your ramp to productivity.
12. Create A Goal End Time
Work hard; nose down until noon (or whatever your lunch hour is). Reward yourself with a pat on the back for staying on task. When it’s time to stop. Stop.
Completing the hard tasks before lunch will make you feel more energetic, motivated and encouraged in the office. It’s ok to feel proud because you’ve already got a lot done before lunch. Enjoy the feeling! Great job!
