BrightSkills

A lot of the work that we engage in at BrightSkills is facilitating, empowering and enabling Productivity Improvement in individuals and teams.  We do this through many training and coaching programmes like influencing skills, time & priority management and leadership.   Many people ask us, “What are they key tips you would give to people who want to be more efficient in general”.  It’s a tough question because of course it depends on the context so much.  However, we know that there are certain things which will pretty much guarantee an improvement in efficiency and productivity if applied consistently. 

Take the BrightSkills Challenge – implement these for 1 week and let us know what you think?

10 Things to do on a Friday to Boost Your Productivity

1.   Make a weekly plan that’s connected to your higher level goals – check out our blog ‘Prioritising Your Work - 5 Golden Rules’ for more on that

2.   Review the past week’s activities under the headings

• Things I got done that I’d planned to do this week
• Things I planned to do but didn’t get done & why
• Activities I engaged in which didn’t serve me well this week / bring me closer to my goals

3.   Make a plan for the week ahead that includes
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• Important work goals
• Time for ‘unexpected’ activities (the unforeseen!)
• You time / personal goals

<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]-->4.   Check your Capacity for the week ahead – on review of next week’s plan, assess the time you expect to spend on the planned tasks –v- the time you have available in your week (work / outside work time).  Are you working to capacity? Are you planning over your capacity? Are you under capacity?

5.   Delegate or Negotiate activities which bring you ‘Above capacity’ with your boss / team / client wherever possible

6.   Complete any follow ups you need to do for the week – review all the meetings and commitments you made during the week.  Are there any follow ups (emails / calls / letters / conversations) that you need to do before the week is out?

7.   Invest in at least 3 relationships - make 3 calls / visits (desk visits?) to three important relationships – for example, important stakeholders in projects you’re working on, important clients, important friends and/or family etc.

8.   Remember your Purpose – take some time to remind yourself of your purpose and goals.  You may find it useful to write yourself some positive affirmations for the week ahead

9.   Plan at least 1 thing for the weekend which will make you incredibly happy

10.   ‘Thank Crunchie it’s Friday’ – treat yourself to one activity today that is purely for you and a reward for all your hard work during the week (a walk in the park, a massage, a lunch with a friend, an ice cream etc.)