Learn to prioritise and plan in order to maximise performance.

The world does not work like a clock and any slight variation can give rise to a major change in your environment. Sometimes chaos reigns in your life (home and work) and seems determined to affect your performance by putting obstacles in your path.

Let’s put things in order.

Here are 12 keys to being more organised and boosting your performance:

1. Make a list of tasks which you need to de every day and every week. Do not write a memorandum, because it will only make you feel worse and will be of no help. Just short sentences listing specific tasks.
2. Prioritise the most urgent tasks and deal with them first.
3. Leave gaps in your agenda for smaller jobs which can be done quickly, and don’t forget about them. They are also important.
4. Set times for each job. That way you won’t take all day on a task at the expense of those still pending.
5. Take the breaks that correspond to you. Stretch yourself as if you were going to fly, breathe deeply and close your eyes for a full minute while you let your mind go blank.
6. Don’t ever skip breakfast. Don’t wait for your first break. If you leave without having anything, you will lack energy, your metabolism will not accelerate and your hunger will prevent you from concentrating.
7. Eat five times a day. Have something in the middle of the afternoon and try to have lunch and supper early.
8. Finish your tasks in order to close chapters. Don’t start another project without first finishing the previous one. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
9. You will then avoid making mistakes as well as duplication
10. Set yourself goals and awards. That way you will motivate yourself to work harder and better.
11. At the end of your day, do some physical exercise. Although you might think you are too tired, the exercise will help relieve stress and segregate endorphins so that you feel good and fulfilled. Just go for a walk or run for half an hour. Try it, it really works!
12. Sleep for eight hours. That way you will feel fitter for work.

Don’t forget to drink water to keep hydrated because a lack of fluids causes fatigue, and follow a balanced diet to cover your energy needs.

This post is also available in: Spanish