Setting priorities for work can help a manager to become organized and productive. When establishing them, you should first list the things you want to accomplish, and then rank them in order of importance. Make sure these tasks are both realistic and time appropriate.
Focus on the big priorities that you need to complete and carry less important tasks over to a later time when work is slow so you can pick them up again. Collaborate with your colleagues on your timeline for big projects. Every team member is different, so individual goals may vary, but it is important that these priorities at least compliment each other. Remember to stay focused on one task at a time– stopping to check emails, even for a few minutes, is a large distraction and interrupts thought processes.
Try to avoid watching the clock while you work; not only does it take your attention away from the task at hand, but it places an unnecessary and stressful emphasis on completing tasks quickly. The workday never seems long enough to accomplish all of the assignments we would like to accomplish, but that doesn’t mean you should rush to get things done. Speeding through your work will often lead to mistakes, and in extreme cases require you to repeat the work you’ve already done. Therefore, it is important to set priorities for a more efficient day at work.
Sources: BusinessInsider, Work.Chron.com
