Get organised!

Found this while I was looking for something else, its still valid so I thought I would re-post it.

Daily / Weekly To Do Lists
Create a To Do List at the start of every day (or at the end of everyday to get focused early!) Prioritise each task and tick or cross off when complete.  If you know you cannot complete a task (or it can wait) add it to your weekly list. Split larger tasks into smaller tasks.

Goals / Targets
Set daily targets, but keep realistic and plan enough time for emergencies. If you know you cannot hit a target, have a rethink and re-set.  Give yourself mini-rewards when you hit a target, a biscuit with your coffee if you finish typing up the meeting notes by 11am.

Diary / Calendar
Whether paper or on your computer/phone etc, just keep one diary.  Put all events, personal, business etc in one place, and set reminders if you need to prepare, otherwise log and forget until required.  Check your diary each day and add tasks to your To Do List accordingly.

Timesheets
Keep a time sheet every day, keeping a note of everything you do in increments of 15 minutes – this will help you see where you wasting time, being un-productive or just plain distracted.

Email management
Plan for set times during the day to read and answer emails and do not respond to ones that come in through the day.  Set filters/rules and use folders to organise and manage your inbox. Unsubscribe from all newsletters/junk emails etc and never open an email that looks suspicious.

Plan ahead
Do not make special journey’s to the bank/post office/meetings etc, plan your trips out to incorporate several things at once.  Save up some tasks that can wait until later in the day/week and do these while on route to other meetings etc.

Distractions
Do not get distracted from what you are working on currently. If you respond to every text/email/tweet/pop up/phone call etc, you will spend all day getting know-where. 

De-clutter
Keep your desk and office tidy, keeping things near that you need on a regular basis, and filing away other things.  If you are able to have an in-tray on one side of the desk and an out-tray on the other this will help you not have too much on the go at the same time.