Previously, we discussed creating a productive schedule and avoiding disruptions in this 3 part series to get the most out of your workday. Here we’ll discuss organizing and prioritizing your workweek to increase productivity.

Plan ahead.
When you start the workweek or begin the day, sometimes it can be hard to remember what tasks you need to accomplish. Instead of wasting time and productivity by trying to recall which tasks to complete, create a daily or weekly “to do” list. Spare about 15 minutes at the end of your workday to plan out and prioritize your tasks for the future, whether is a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule. Also, use this time to tidy up your work area and finish any remaining tasks, like replying to nonessential emails. This allows you to come to work the next day and jump right in.

Find a routine that works best for you, plan ahead, and cut back on distractions and interruptions. By doing so, you’re taking the appropriate steps to a more focused and productive workday, making yourself an invaluable employee to your company.

Do you find it hard to stay on task and consistently meet deadlines? What other tips and tricks have you found helpful to keep your productivity up?

The first part of this series was on identifying the best routine for optimal productivity. This part of the series discusses how to avoid distractions to get the most out of your workday.

Have what you need nearby.
By constantly getting up to retrieve essential items, you’re wasting valuable time and interrupting momentum built up from productive work. Keeping items within reach will leave you with more time to complete tasks. Storing nutritious snacks and bottled water nearby will prevent you from constant trips to the vending machine and water cooler, where you can get sucked into lengthy discussions by co-workers.

Slip on headphones.
To cut back on background chatter, slide on your headphones and listen to some music. Your train of thought can be easily broken by office noises, such as printers or copiers, or by ongoing co-worker conversations. Music can help drown out the sounds and keep you focused. If you can’t work while music is playing, try slipping the headphones on without music as a “do not disturb” sign to others. Be sure to keep iPod etiquette in mind at the office.

Make time for breaks.
When you’re swamped, taking breaks might sound like the last thing you should do, but breaks keep you fresh and prevent you from burning out after a few hours of work. Time away from your desk can help you re-group your thoughts to focus on the task at hand when it’s deadlines are looming.

Check out the last part of this series in our next post on organizing and prioritizing your workweek to increase productivity.

Have you ever left work feeling like nothing was accomplished that day? Is the stack of papers in your inbox constantly growing taller? By maintaining high levels of productivity, you can cut back on stressful times when workloads pile up, as well as boost your value to your employer.

Utilize the tips below to stay on task and get the most out of your workday.

Create a routine for the start of your day.
The way you start your workday can influence your productivity dramatically. To avoid unproductive days, start off by allotting yourself just 15 minutes to settle in for work. Don’t spend more than 15 minutes reading the morning paper, chatting with co-workers, getting coffee, or checking voicemail. Replying to nonessential e-mails can wait until you’ve completed some work. Most of you are freshest and more productive when you first come into work. Getting distracted or starting off slow can hinder a positive morning of work, leaving you with a heavy workload in the afternoon.

Find the best time for tedious tasks.
As much as you want to put them off, sooner or later you’re going to have to work on projects that are monotonous or boring. It’s best to find out when’s the best time for you to work on these tasks according to your nature. Some of you might be most productive at the start of the day and like to work on projects requiring more brain power during this time. Or, you might find that repetitive jobs need less creativity and can be saved for the end of the day, when you’re tired from the workday.

Check out parts 2 and 3 of this series in our next blog posts. Next time we’ll discuss preventing disruptions and planning your workday.