Some tips for better managing time at work

updated 5:39 p.m. ET Jan. 17, 2006

Some of the ideas from the experts on how to work smarter:

Sheila Adler, time management instructor with the American Management Association:

• Before you go home each day, write down the six most important things you need to do tomorrow.
• Schedule the most important things first.
• Be realistic about how long things take.
• Allow time for the unexpected.
• Don’t waste the first hour of the day, when you’re freshest.

David Fagiano, chief operating officer of Dale Carnegie Training:

• Keep a time log of your activities for a week.
• Look at what can be eliminated or streamlined.
• Sit down with your boss and make sure what you’re doing is in line with his or her needs and company goals.

Julie Morgenstern, author of “Never Check E-mail in the Morning”:

• Review your to-do list and delete unnecessary tasks.
• Reschedule or delay some tasks so they don’t interfere with major projects.
• Delegate tasks to others, especially if they can do them better or faster.
• Create shortcuts, such a templates for client reports, to diminish the time needed for repetitive tasks.

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