How to Master Your To-Do List

How to Master Your To-Do ListHow to Master Your To-Do ListFace it, we all have a lot to do. On any given day, our to-do lists include Work responsibilitiesHome responsibilitiesSchool schedules and activitiesErrandsPhone calls How do you keep track of it all? If youre like fruchtwein people, not as effectively or efficiently as you could. Is your office full of yellow notes stuck to every surface?Do you have separate to-do lists? One for home and one for the office? Or perhaps you have multiple lists for each?Do you grab envelopes or even napkins to jot down things that pop into your head while you are driving?How many different notepads are on your desk right now that include action items or to-dos? Be honest.Is your purse overflowing with scraps of paper that include jotted to-dos or phone messages?What about your kitchen counter? Is it full of notes, grocery lists and personal to-dos? To manage your to-do lists in the most efficient way, consolidate them into one master list. Time management expert Kenneth Zeigler is a big proponent of using a master list. In his book Organizing for Success, he says, The purpose of a Master List is to get everything out of your head. A master list is a journal of thoughts and activities as they occur. The mind can organize what you need to accomplish more effectively when it can see everything you need to complete. How to Get Started Find the right tool - You need to find a tool that works for youto capture your consolidated master list.Some may find that a simple notepad does the trick. Others may want to use a spiral notebook specifically designed for tracking tasks. Consider using an electronic note system such as Evernote.?Make sure the tool is portable - As to-dos pop into your head, you need a place to record them so make sure the tool you choose is portable. If youre using an electronic note system, carry a small notebook with you at all times to record thoughts, ideas, to-dos and commitments. You can transfer the se to your electronic note organizer at the end of the day. Consolidate all of your lists - Once youve selected the right tool, gather all of your various to-do lists. Transfer all tasks and items to your new master list. Dont worry about putting them in any particular order. You are simply capturing in one place every single thing you need to do. Dont be surprised if your master list is quite long.Adding to your master list - As you go throughout your day and think of things you need to do, add them to your master list. As you are assigned tasks, add them to your list. As your children tell you about things they need for school, add them to your list. As you think of errands you need to run, add them to your list. Your Daily Action List Either the night before or first thing each morning, review your master list. Select the tasks, jobs and commitments that must be done that day and transfer them to a daily action list. Remember to be reasonable about what you can actually acco mplish that day. Your daily action list becomes your working plan for the day. Ongoing Maintenance On a regular basis, your to-do list now works as follows You have one master list for all to-dosAs you go through your day and think of or are assigned additional tasks, add them to your master to-do list.Each day, you will review your master to-do list and transfer todays priorities to a daily action list. Periodically, evaluate your master list. You may find, due to cross-offs and additional notes that have been added to the margin, that it makes sense to copy the remaining outstanding items to a new master list. Dont throw away the old list. Keep it for historical review and future reference. By following this process, you will find that you are more efficient, more on top of tasks and that youre getting more done.

This Is Why You Missed Out On That Great Job

This Is Why You Missed Out On That Great JobThis Is Why You Missed Out On That Great JobThank you again for giving us the opportunity to consider you for a position with our organization. However, we regret to inform you that we will not be moving forward with your candidacy for this role. We wish you all the best in your job search.Thats an email no one likes receiving, especially after going through a dog-and-pony show of the phone vorstellungsgesprch, in-person interview, and even a 2nd in-person interview. When the opportunity feels like a perfect fit, it can be emotionally draining to find out they went with an internal candidate, they put the position on hold, theres no longer a budget for it, or to hear basically no real reason at all.If you never find out the actual reason why you werent selected, its easy to turn inward, filling in the blanks with something negative about yourself. You dont have the degree or certification, there was that gap in your employment timeline from a few years back, or some other reason. However, imperfect candidates get hired every single day of the week, so dont hang your hat on something about your own history that youre worried about. The reality is, the reasons they didnt hire you likely have nothing to do with you specifically or personally.The Timing Just Didnt WorkA question I frequently hear from candidates has to do with whether its better to apply when you first see a job posted, or shortly before the role closes if you know when that is. Youre only going to know that if the closing date is posted. Otherwise, theres simply no solid way youre going to be privy to the internal workings of the organization, nor to the thought process of the hiring decision maker.Ive had candidates find out that by the time they applied, the company was already in the final stages with 2 other candidates. That has nothing to do specifically with my candidate whose qualifications were great. It simply has to do with where they were in the process with other people.The Company Shifted Its PrioritiesSometimes, we decided to go in a different direction, has to do with the company or department as a whole, not necessarily, we decided to go in a different direction without you.That happens. So heres what you do be gracious in thanking the company, and make sure to stay in touch with the relevant people. Connect with them (notice how Im saying them there is always more than 1 relevant person for you to connect with in an organization) on LinkedIn, or follow them on LinkedIn. If youre still on the job hunt in 60 days, circle back to them. You may just be the reminder they needed, and they may be ready to resume the discussion about how your qualifications can help them at this time.Someone Else Was mora QualifiedI get it you were a perfect fit and you could have done that job 10 years ago with your eyes closed. That may be true. But perhaps someone else came in just a shade better than you just a shade. Does this me an you were terrible? Absolutely not.More importantly, does it mean that the rejection email is the period at the end of the sentence? Also, absolutely not. Todays, no, could really just mean, not yet, or not this role.One thing Ive talked about in other posts is to elevate your mind from job search to company search. A rejection regarding a job opportunity should not be the end. View the organization itself as an opportunity. If you like them, keep a sharp eye out for similar roles, and dont feel bad about applying for multiple roles within the same organization. Theres absolutely nothing wrong with doing this. Keep on the radar of the companies you like, and keep in contact with the connections youve made, rather than always trying to ferret out some brand new opportunity at a different organization.Heres whats important even though being rejected is always disappointing, change your attitude about it, and dont take the rejection personally. Take a deep breath in and keep moving f orward.If you want to see what winning candidates do to land interview after interview and ultimately get hired in the roles they actually want, we lay it out for you step-by-step in 5 Secret Job Search Hacks For The Age 50+ Job-Hunter.This is where we demonstrate how mature, experienced candidates beat the overqualification and age discrimination hurdles. You can rack up one success after the next and move forward in your job search consistently until you land the role you need. Register today.

All the Scientific Proof You Need to Convince Your Boss to Let You Work From Home

All the Scientific Proof You Need to Convince Your Boss to Let You Work From HomeAll the Scientific Proof You Need to Convince Your Boss to Let You Work From HomeI know a lot of people want, need, or just prefer to work from home. Im no different. In fact, Im writing this from my home office right now.Im super fortunate that work-from-home days are part of ourbenefits package at The Penny Hoarder, but some bosses still need convincing. If yours is one of them, maybe this news will help sway them.The Considerable Benefits of Working From HomeStanford Business Senior Editor Shana Lynch recently wrote about theresults of a study conducted by Stanford geschftlicher umgang professor Nicholas Bloom, who tracked employees at Chinese travel agency Ctrip to help the company understand the impact of workplace flexibility.Ctrip solicited worker volunteers for a study in which half worked from home for nine months, coming into the office one day a week, and half worked only from the office, expl ains Lynch.The performance of employees who worked from home shot up by 13%.Bloom attributes the increase to two things. He says workers concentrate better when they work from home and are more likely to work a full shift when they arent dealing withcommutes, long lunches, and other distractions.The study also discovered the rate of resignations at Ctrip dropped by 50% when employees were allowed to work from home. The company also reported it made about $2,000 more profit per work-from-home employee.So, lets recap Employees who work from home perform better, are more focused and less distracted, quit less often, and increase a companys financial profit.On a larger scale, work-from-home options help conserve oil, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and save companies buckets of money. (Apparently, anything is possible when employees are allowed to work from home. It probably also relieves dry skin, promotes hair growth, and cures bad breath. Those things just havent been studied yet.)An yway, if the results of Blooms study arent enough to convince your boss that employees should be able to work from home, laythese additional benefitson them. You can also obere extremitt yourself with proof thatworking from home increases productivity.If your boss wont go for remote working at all,try negotiating for a shorter work day. Still no luck? Dont let it get you down. In reality, only about7% of US workplaces offer telecommuting benefits.And to be perfectly honest,working from home isnt always as awesome as it sounds.Except when it is.This article was originally published on The Penny Hoarder. It has been republished here with permission.

How Chunking Improves Work Efficiency and Productivity

How Chunking Improves Work Efficiency and ProductivityHow Chunking Improves Work Efficiency and ProductivityAs managers, we spend too much of our day trying to fit mora work into less time. A common response for overworked professionals at all levels is to attempt to multitask by performing multiple activities at the same time. The problem is that multitasking doesnt work. Why Multitasking Isnt the Most Effective Approach For example, imagine that as you brush your teeth in the morning, you start thinking about the agenda for a big meeting later in the day. It doesnt take much of your brains processing power to brush your teeth, and you might be able to concentrate on the agenda while mechanically handling your morning teeth cleaning task. But what about two tasks that require more of your brains capacity? You might be talking on the phone while youre preparing breakfast. You may get both tasks done correctly, but the opportunity for mistakes due to lapses in attention is large. Chunking as an Alternative to Multitasking Chunking describes how human memory utilization works. It is important to remember this concept as we look at completing several tasks simultaneously. We are, in fact, switching between them rather than doing them at the same time (although, in the case of brushing your teeth, it may seem like they are simultaneous). Imagine you are on the phone when someone walks into your office. They ask for your advice or a quick decision on an issue. You stop listening to the person on the phone briefly, scan the note in front of you, scribble a response, and go back to the phone call. You did not do the two activities (phone call and in-person conversation) at the same time. You actually did three tasks in sequence started the phone call, had the in-person conversation, and then resumed the phone call. Just as in the breakfast example above, you could have gotten both of them done better, and in less total time, if you had done them one after the other instead of at the same time. The reason is that as you begin each task, you have to focus on it and get started. The Ineffective Start-Up Time of Multitasking When you started the phone call, you had to think about it, find the phone number, and make the call. When you were interrupted, you had to figure out what the person wanted from you to be able to give them a decision. Finally, when you resumed the phone call, you had to remember where you left off. You might even have had to say, Oops, sorry, someone walked in. What were you saying? The more starts and stops you make during the day, the more of these time-consuming start-up moments you have. These moments are non-productive time. If you have a daily report to prepare, the start-up moment is probably pretty short compared to that for the report you only do quarterly. Still, if you are preparing that report and you get interrupted, you have almost the same length of time for start-up each time. Lets say, for example, you can write a report in 30 minutes without any interruptions. However, it can take several hours if unplanned tasks and interruptions pop up throughout the day. This substantial delay often doesnt come so much from the actual interruptions as the time it takes to restart the report over and over again. Why You Should Try Chunking OK, sometimes you have to multitask. Your job may be operational, so what is better than multitasking? Chunking is better for productivity. Chunking is the concept of breaking up your day into larger chunks instead of reacting to constant interruptions. The more chunks of time you can devote to specific tasks, the fewer start-up moments you will have, and your efficiency improves commensurately. Since you wont be spending as much time in start-up moments, you will have more time, and you will get more done. As a bonus, since you will be able to focus on the single task at hand, you will do it better. As a sidebar, project managers long ago figured out the power of this technique and created their own version of chunking via the work breakdown structure process. How to Get Started With Chunking at Work So, how can you start chunking? Start small until you get the feel of it. Pick a single task, perhaps your weekly report.Set aside the 30 minutes you know it will take.Close your door or put up a sign that reads Genius at work or something like that and then concentrates on the report and nothing but the report.Ignore the phone.Dont check email.Just write the report. Attempt the same with phone calls, employee meetings, and other regular activities. Focus, chunk your days out, and after a few weeks of practice, you will feel and be more efficient. The Bottom Line Dont waste so much of your time trying to multitask. Instead, make yourself more efficient and more productive by chunking. While the term is awkward, the concept is effective. Updated by Art Petty

Be the First to Read What an Old Pro Thinks About Myperfectresume Reviews

Be the First to Read What an Old Pro Thinks About Myperfectresume Reviews You may have a look at the prices, functionality, and the amount of templates and features. So far as features are involved, it is a lot more versatile. The program is web-based instead of downloadable, and the variety of features, along with the websites connectivity and convenience, are not simple to beat. You also receive the choice to settle on a template from the bunch of beautiful resume templets out there. The Little-Known Secrets to Myperfectresume Reviews Builders are available in all shapes and sizes. Our resume builder is the quickest approach to create a resume that will allow you to get your fantasy job. Naturally, the rates are a lot cheaper since basically, you are the person doing the job. Take time to ensure your dates are in bestellung and can easily be legible at a glance. It is possible to also carry out an internet job search or earn a price of living comparison through its onli ne offerings. Still, even when you select the maximum price option, you will discover that the service is really very inexpensive. It is possible to only get to the software company directly via email when youve got a question or concern. When applying for work, its recommended to phone in advance and figure out if the business youre applying to scans their resume submissions. Theres no doubt a good resume can generate enough interest to help you receive an interview. Your job application is going to be to the point because an expert knows the way to create it in the very best quality. Introducing Myperfectresume Reviews Just sign up there, complete the details and your Resume is about to download. Figure out if a Video Resume is appropriate for the job which you are trying to get. The site offers access to different job opportunities also. Should you need access to unlimited resumes and cover letters youll need to pay more. Facts, Fiction and Myperfectresume Reviews When it has to do with working with an online resume builder you want to understand what areas youre struggling with and what areas youre good with. The website also hosts a network for employers searching for new talent. An example may be a niche skill needed for work, which you might happen to get, but may not be relevant to include for most jobs. You will have the ability to discover the greatest free resume builder which may help you make a professional resume that will grant you an impressive job prospect. Thus you would expect that the business has the ideal online resume builder of the planet. The easy resume builder will supply you with instructions on how best to fill in each blank space. Also, its updated daily to retain its status as the greatest free resume builder online. You will get a link that will make it possible for you to share it publicly with others on LinkedIn and other social networking platforms. For instance, you can find information about how to attrac t attention online using keywords. It is possible to even easily edit your CV on your cellular device. Your CV is going to be saved safely on the website and generating it is completely free of charge. The Free Resume Builder helps prepare resumes even when you dont possess the slightest idea on how best to do so utilizing a seven step practice. Writing a professional resume isnt effortless. Digital Interview videos demonstrate sample interview questions and scenarios intended to help you sharpen your abilities. A History of Myperfectresume Reviews Refuted When theres one particular fact about the medical business, its that it is dependent on nurses. The most effective free resume builder gives you the assistance you have to compose a stellar overview of all your achievements. Pay attention when you subscribe, however, because most services offer you a number of different plans and a few plans limit the characteristics or number of resumes youre able to create. One of th e main reason is the dearth of probable resources. The software only lets you create your first resume after youve created an account and it even tricks you into believing you cannot use the software at no cost. Ensure that whatever builder you select has professional looking templates which are free of grammatical errors. With the area of net, you can have thousands of alternatives which are available to you from samples, professional resume writers, and internet software that enables you to construct a perfect resume. If you opt to click the links on our website, we might get compensation. The site also provides essential strategies and guides to make Resume more attractive and potent. The website provides some helpful prewritten phrases you are able to use if you become stumped attempting to produce your own. It will tell you how many views your resume has.

Human Resources and Marketing Departments Allies with a Common Goal - Spark Hire

Human Resources and Marketing Departments Allies with a Common Goal - Spark HireAs part of your companys HR department, there are probably times when you feel like youre part of a lonely, little group thats laboring away to achieve company goals. You may feel that human resources is a misunderstood department one thats seen by others as working against the rest of the team, instead of with it. After all, youre trying to fortify your small business with good employees, while other departments, like the absatzwirtschaft team, is trying to build business so those employees have work.But heres a little secret that both of your departments might not understand the human resources and marketing departments are actually allies for a common goal. The goal of creating a stronger, mora successful business can be mora easily achieved when everyone works together as a team. These tips will help you promote team spirit between your department and the marketing people down the hall and co-ordinate best practices for hiring.Tips for Cohesiveness and ProductivityRealize the Value of Both Departments. Engaging kompetenzprofil employees is similar to the process and value of engaging potential customers. Both situations involve some courting and the need to create interest, with the ultimate goal of conversion. HR and marketing both add to the value by bringing aboard others who can help them achieve the companys missions through online recruiting and online marketing to strengthen the bottom line.Understand How You Impact Each Other. Whether you realize it or not, when the human resources department is off kilter, it impacts the marketing department and vice versa. Neither of you are islands, nor are your actions exclusive of one another. If for no other reason than the Domino Effect, its essential that the two departments recognize the impact they have on one another.Discuss Potential Contributions Toward Goal Achievement. The two-heads-are-better-than-one approach can work we ll when HR and marketing decide to get together and work toward specific goals. You may have different approaches and purposes, but your combined contributions will meld together to help achieve company-wide goals. During combined department meetings, ask one another What are you working on, and how can we help you reach your goal? When both departments ask this question, youll find that the line between HR and marketing blurs more often than you thought.Become Two Sides of the Same Coin. Despite the similarities, there are still enough differences between human resources and marketing that the two should be distinct and separate in their own right. To not recognize those differences would be the same thing as devaluing the unique expertise each department brings to the table. Your departments arent the same, but they can function as two sides of the same coin.Remain in Communication. In everything, communication is the key to a successful work relationship. Your company might find it most effective to have a department liaison meet with one from the marketing department. Or you may discover that its more productive to have both departments sit down together periodically to discuss goals. Through trial, error and constant communication, determine what practices work best for both departments.United You StandAlthough it may feel awkward at first, as soon as the human resources and marketing departments get used to working together, youll realize how beneficial your combined strengths are. The expertise you and your fellow human resources team use to bring valuable employees on-board works hand-in-hand with the business-building expertise the marketing team employs. When both departments are aligned with one another, they create a coalition thats hard to beat. On paper your department goals might look different from those of the marketing department. But when you put your heads together, youll see youve got a lot more in common than you realized and achieve far greater success in talent acquisition and talent management.Are your HR andmarketingdepartmentsaligned with one another tobenefityourorganization?Spark a conversation below.bild Courtesy of Flickr bythetaxhavenAbout the AuthorLucy Harper is an experienced blogger passionate about social media and digital communications. She is part of the writing team atwww.touchpointdigital.co.uk, a specialist media and advertising agency.