Last week I wrote about working smarter, not harder. Today I will keep with that theme, focusing specifically on how to stay on task.
I’m sure we’ve all been involved in a conversation that jumped from topic to topic. It started on one thing and ended up somewhere else completely. Worse, the issue that was the purpose of the conversation may not have even been resolved! It’s like walking out of a room with the intention of getting your phone, and coming back with a glass of water, bowl of grapes and the latest issue of People magazine…but no phone. (If you’ve never done this, consider yourself fortunate!)
So for those of us that tend to be (for lack of a better word) a bit scattered, here are some tips to help:
- WRITE IT DOWN
I write everything down because I know how easily distracted I am. If it’s not written down somewhere, it doesn’t exist. For this reason, I love OneNote. You can use it on your phone and desktop, as well as have it sync with other users so everyone can access the same list at any given time.
- ORGANIZATION
Because I really can’t rely on my memory to keep up with the one million things I have going on at any given moment, I am forced to be extremely organized. My Outlook inbox has folders within folders within folders. I have anything that requires an action flagged. If it’s not filed or flagged, it’s either something I need to keep in the back of mind or it gets deleted.
- DE-CLUTTER
I hate clutter. It makes it harder to focus. I am the opposite of a hoarder for this very reason. If I don’t need an email, I delete it. This is, of course, easier to do knowing that even deleted emails are saved in my email. But whether it’s the space around your desk or your inbox, get rid of the clutter! It’s entirely too distracting.
- PREPARE
If you fail to prepare, you’re preparing to fail. I love this saying. In many ways, it could be considered (one of many) mottos of mine. Before I have a phone conversation that is business related, I always have a list of topics that need to be covered. This is critical because it keeps both myself and my clients on track. It also allows me to take detailed notes on each topic covered.
- BULLET POINT IT
If you prefer to keep communications virtual, make sure your emails are structured. Use bullet points, number items by priority, etc. to avoid writing a wall of text that may overwhelm and confuse your reader. It also makes things easier to find when using as a reference.
If you need help staying on task, contact REVStaffing. Our professional real estate virtual assistants excel at keeping tasks organized so you can focus on getting more business. If you’ve never used our services before, complete a complimentary Needs Survey. If you’re already a client, contact your Virtual Assistant for a complimentary 15-minute consultation*.
As always, thanks for tuning in and leave your comments/tips below!
*call will be billed at the admin rate after 15 minutes