The curse of disorganisation

Disorganisation can be a curse both professionally and personally. When it comes to business, It can be a silent killer to productivity, cause missed opportunities, increase stress levels and result in less efficiency. Sometimes it is hard to see what bad habits we have developed and how it is affecting our lives.

Following are five habits that disorganised people are guilty of and a few tips on how to avoid falling into the trap of being disorganised.

1.  Lack of Planning

Lack of planning can be one of the most crucial bad habits of disorganised people. Avoiding planning allows you to be pushed around by other people’s demands and distractions. If you do not have a clear plan on what you want or need to accomplish, it can cause stress and decreased productivity.

Start by planning your day before you go home the previous day. This way, you will be able to visualise anything that you did not get done today and have a clear plan in place for the following day.

 2. Easily Distracted

How many of you reach for your phone as soon as you hear it go off or respond to an email notification? Did you know that it can take up to 25 minutes to fully return to your task after a distraction? Being constantly distracted can prevent you from achieving your goals and focusing on what is important.

Create boundaries for your time and workspace. You turn off notifications on your phone during work hours. Check your emails and notifications at predetermined times and disable visual and sound email notifications. By having set times to do these things, it allows you to focus on the task at hand.

 3. Trying to Multi-Task

Multi-tasking is a myth, we all know this, but we continue to tell ourselves that it is possible. Trying to multi-task can be a key attribute of a disorganised person.

Try to work in blocks of 30-45 minutes and take a short break after each block. Concentrate on that one task, and may you find that you accomplish more in less time.

 4. Not keeping track of all details

You will remember that you said you would feed the neighbour’s dog while they are away this weekend… Right? Maybe not. You are not going to remember all the details of every conversation you have or the obligations you have made. Write everything down, even if you think you will remember! Use your calendar and set yourself reminders. If you prefer to use your mobile, check out the various types of apps available. You would be surprised by the fantastic choices available.

 5. Failing to Prioritise

Being able to distinguish the priority of tasks is vital to being organised. When you are disorganised, you can tend to work on the first task that comes to mind whether it is a priority or not. Or you may find yourself continually switching from one task to another and not completing anything.

 When you plan your day, list tasks in order of priority (this is where planning is vital). Ask yourself a few questions such as, what do I need to complete before the end of the day? What are people waiting on? What can I push back if necessary? Having a plan for your day will help you with decisions and workflow. Just remember, things happen, and you need to be flexible and prepared to adjust your priorities as needed.

 If you recognise yourself in any of the above, maybe it is time to make a change?

Cassie McAdam | The Money Edge | Bundaberg