The demands of the modern workplace often mean blurring the lines between work and personal time. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a corporate professional, you may find yourself answering emails, taking calls and completing projects long after you’ve left the office for the day.
While some thrive on this “always-on,” workaholic schedule, too much of it can lead to burnout – which means that though you’re constantly working, you’re not getting much accomplished. If you want to make the most of your working hours (whenever they might be), here are three ways to plan your time and maximize your productivity.
Have a (flexible) plan for each day
Starting each day off by writing out a “plan of attack” can help you get through your to-dos and stay focused throughout your work hours, said Bradley Anderson, a software engineer at MyRadar.
“Do your best to spend the day working through the list you have made,” Anderson said. “If you find yourself being interrupted or sidetracked, make a conscious effort to get back on task as soon as you are able.”
However, don’t let your plan get so rigid that you’re not able to accommodate for changes or unexpected situations that may arise. Kameron Frugoli and Taylor Gallanter, co-founders of mobile barbershop The Hot Towel, said flexibility is the key to their success.
“Knowing how many hours I’m going to work and how many customers I’m going to see in a day are important things to consider in my planning, but I always try to take a step back and make sure that my planning doesn’t get too granular,” Frugoli told Business News Daily.
“We need to know when to follow the script and when to be ready to act on the fly,” added Gallanter. “Whether it’s a flat tire, parking ticket, broken window or an electrical malfunction, you have to learn how roll with the punches and not let these things stop you from having a productive day.”
