In this post-recession working world, many companies are still trying to do more with few employees. This reluctance to hire more workers means that every employee may be required to do more work in the same number of days. This can make it very difficult to keep all of your projects and other work on track and on time. 

1. Break Down Projects

Large projects can be overwhelming when considered as a whole. Divide the work up into smaller segments that can be completed relatively quickly. Create deadlines for each individual portion of the project. The individual deadlines will ensure that your project continues to make progress, even as other urgent day-to-day work threatens to take your project off your priority list. This will also help prevent procrastination from leaving you with the whole project to do at once in the final moments before the project must be completed.

2. Project Management Software

Once you have looked at the various components of your project and set interim deadlines, you’ll want to organise your project with project management software. In today’s busy work environment, it can be easy for details or even whole projects to be overlooked.

Adding your project to the Glasscubes project management software enables you to easily keep track of each segment of your project, each deadline, and the progress you’ve made on each portion of your project. Multiple projects can be added to allow one, centralised location to view everything that is happening with your project. If you are coordinating your project with others, this software makes that process simple and time-saving.  

3. Set Reminders

Setting deadlines that are then forgotten is not productive. The secret to keeping your project moving along is to set and meet deadlines. The problem is you probably spend much of your time putting out fires or dealing other urgent issues. Even routine tasks like expense reports can eat into your working day, keeping you from making enough progress on longer term projects.

To keep your project front and centre in your work day, set reminders on your computer’s calendar ahead of each deadline or a calendar in your work area. The reminders should be set prior to the deadline, allowing you enough time to complete the work for that deadline with enough extra time for you to take care of other urgent issues that arise.

Don’t set your reminders too early. That will just encourage you to mute the reminder and continue working on more urgent issues. For most people, the deadline is only effective incentive when there is pressure to finish the work in time. Unless you expect to have free time to complete the task earlier, keep the pressure on by setting the reminders to provide a tight time schedule.

4. Reward Yourself

Too often we become caught up going from one task to another. This can be mentally exhausting and could lead to burn out. Make sure you are giving yourself credit for the work you’ve completed. Meeting a deadline for a portion of each project should be a reason to celebrate. Take a few moments to reward yourself for your hard work and progress. 

While you won’t want to do the happy dance in your workplace each time you meet a goal, you should give yourself some credit. Think small rewards like a piece of chocolate, favourite beverage, or a quick walk outside in the fresh air. If you’re short of time (or chocolate), you can still reward yourself by taking a moment to think about your accomplishment and to be happy you’ve completed that work.

It may sound silly, but giving yourself credit and appreciation is important. Rather than thinking about the work that is still remaining to be done on a project, try to take a few moments to focus on what you have already accomplished. Too often we ignore our successes and accomplishments in our haste to start work on the next project. Give yourself the credit you deserve on a regular basis. This will help you remain positive, focused and productive.

Trying to decide between agile and waterfall methodologies for your project? This detailed comparison can help inform your decision.

Glasscubes is a user-friendly collaboration software for teams. Connect everyone that you work with in an online workspace that improves the way you share files, manage projects and communicate with each other.

For more information, contact us by calling +44 (0)20 3274 2310 or email us at enquiries@glasscubes.com

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