Time management is one of the most important skills for a successful worker. Every year, every new technology generation gives us more and more instruments to speed up work processes and lets us compress time with higher coefficient. Several years ago companies expected from a successful candidate basic knowledge of MS Office as a “must". Now an average user level is not advantage at all. People asked to be more professional. Software developing companies include more time-saving functions with an every release, but as a rule, users barely know of their existence.
Here I provide several time-saving functions of several software applications that I use every day for a long time. Haven’t you forgotten how useful they can be?
1. Macro is a king. Have you heard of them? Macros are based on simplified Visual Basic script. When you do some routine tasks and have to repeat several commands very often it might be a good idea to compose a Macro. If you want to record your macro on classic rules – do not use mouse while recording is in progress. The main problem with the Macro is that antivirus may recognize it as a virus.
2. “Actions" in Adobe Photoshop is the next step forward. Actions are built on the same principle with familiar MS Office Macro. It is a sequence of commands, activated on click or a keyboard shortcut. Using them is the easiest way to create different complex effects such as quadrant colors, foggy lenses, etc. And if default Photoshop actions are not enough for you - you can easily record your sequence.
3. Multi-file processing in Photoshop is called Batch. So how can it help if you need to resize, rename and make a color correction for several hundreds of pictures? Even with the fastest photo editor it might take a whole day – if you do it manually. But you can use a batch instead. Select source folder, pick one or several actions, select destination folder, pick the naming option, file format, press OK and relax with a cup of coffee. In a half of an hour everything will be done.
4. PDF-converting button in a toolbar will save you not only from retyping and reformatting but also from looking for a converting program. Install it with PDF Transformer MS Office applications and watch how useful can it be. You can convert PDF attachments in e-mails directly from the mailbox, as well as convert PDF to Excel, convert PDF to Word. Converting presentations in PDF format from Power Point is also a one-click deal. It is even more quickly than using a PDF Printer plug-in.
5. Dealing with a screenshot also can be simplified. To create a screenshot, past a piece of it in the letter or text editor you usually need to open an application for capturing screenshots, crop the picture, recognize it with another program and copy to Clipboard. All you need you will get in a single click with a Screenshot Reader - tiny screenshot-reading utility.
6. Excel always has some extra secrets. Have you though that you can automate complicate and precise work in Excel without Macro and Visual Basic. ?o you use auto-change and sorting functions? Have you used a standard request language with them? For example, it can change the lines “*http://www." with “ www." With only this two functions you can unify and sort items, remove duplicates in any list. Removing of duplicate lines is done by Advanced filter. Just imagine how much time would you spent sorting and manually unifying the list with 2500 lines.
7. When you read text in foreign language it is much quicker when you can see the translation on-mouse-over. At least two electronic dictionaries support this useful function. They are Translate it and ABBYY Lingvo 12. To see the translation hold a cursor over an unfamiliar word.
8. What do you know about Nero beside how to record the CD? Remember, that Nero supports multi-copying of the CD or DVD. Your part for the recording of 50 copies is simply to change the CDs.
9. Looking a little deeper into Nero again, you will find a remarkable CD-cover designer. Even complete beginner in design can create with it professionally-looking cover in several minutes.
10. File managers can can bring more comfort into your work. Sorting, multi-renaming, compressing, copying, moving, transferring files via FTP protocol, quick access to the Control panel can be done much faster than you used to. The classic example of file managers is Total Commander, former WinCommander.
The idea of the article is not teaching how to do things. This is a little reminder of what a software can possibly do for you and name the functions that exist. Now use “Help" tab to find out “How".
The clich? time is money, is the guidepost for most selling professionals. Time is the one item you do not get to reinvent or get back. Once it's gone it's gone. The reward for managing your time is the enrichment of not only your professional life, but also your personal life. And, good time management also gets you closer to your goals. You must focus on your highest priorities and consistently place them first. The added benefit of a well-organized work schedule is the creation of time for family, friends and the leisure activities that rejuvenate and refresh you.
With only 24 hours in a day, how can all the calls, the reports and the tasks get completed? Simply put, planning. Planning is the most vital aspect of every professional career. Business professionals particularly should plan the order of their appointments so as not to retrace steps; they should plan when to respond to e-mail. If possible, they should plan where and when to visit clients so not to spend too much time in the car.
Typically, most of us respond to what we believe are urgent matters and forget to pre- plan and be proactive. They become Emergency Medical Technicians for all incoming work. The red light goes on and salespeople immediately scurry to get that item completed immediately.
Proactive planning makes the day less daunting and helps you get more accomplished in less time. If you respond to all that comes to them; you will never accomplish any of their important items. Here are successful tips:
1. Grouping appointments either in the morning or in the afternoon. Sporadically making appointments during the day leaves little room for other things.
2. Replying to telephone calls and emails four to five times per day rather than right away. Stop being reactive and create proactive activities to make the day less intimidating.
3. Prioritizing your tasks using letters, numbers and color-coding. Creating visuals and lists immediately connects you with what must be done first. We will address this late in this booklet.
My program Pump Up Your Productivity? contains a 12- step formula for assistance with prioritization and planning. Created here is the list of the top five.
1. Use a planner ? Electronics and technology creates a vast array of tools and gadgets to enable efficiency in our day. The issue is that many people do not use them or cannot utilize them during certain times, i.e. driving an automobile or while shopping. With over 25 years in business and several electronic tools at my disposal (Outlook and an iPhone), I still use a paper planner. It is always at my disposal and never needs to be rebooted because it crashed.
2. Work backward ? Begin your days with what needs to be accomplished on completion of the day. Begin the day with the end in mind. Visualize what you need to do before the sun runs out.
3. Minimize distractions ? Forestall the interruptions. Refrain from enabling others to distract your day. Stick to your plan and get more done. Create a healthy selfishness and learn to use the word NO!
4. Create routines ? Regularity creates habit. Structure the day around specific events or even specific clients and neighbors. It is not customary to build a day reflecting a maze.
5. Do not dwell on unpleasant situations ? We all castigate ourselves. When things go awry we create self doubt and intensify the experience. This throws us off from our tasks and responsibilities. Learn to compartmentalize and move forward.
There are numerous things you can do to simply your life and your practice. A best practice is prioritization. Many professionals operate haphazardly, rushing from one issue to another without a plan. Prioritizing your daily events enables you to maximize your time, minimize the issues and end the day happily.
I propose one of two options for you dependent on your personal taste. The first emulates time-honored pundits. Prioritization is about placing first things first. And the first step is to obtain a planner or use some electronic device that enables you to record important To Do items and appointments. Recent surveys illustrate that over 45% of individuals miss appointments or fail to accomplish imperative issues because they fail to record them.
Once your begin to record your day, one of the most essential elements is to record your lists of To Do's. There are two steps to this process. In a margin or on the events portion of the planner list your items using an alphabetic code. Simply write down or keypunch all the things you need to do within the next week. Then begin to code the items using an alphabetical symbol. To exemplify use an ?A? for items that need to be complete in the next 12 to 24 hours; use a ?B? for items that need to be complete in the next 24 to 48 hours and finally use a ?C? for items that need to be complete in the next 48 to 72 hours or personal items.
Now review your list again and be realistic. Not everything in the list needs to be complete within 24 hours. Theoretically, you should have no more than three to four items in each of the respective alpha categories. Here are some additional points to ponder for prioritization:
1. Get up early. The clich? of early to bed early to rise is true you get more done when lethargy is not prevalent in your life.
2. Direct others to maintain your order. You are the master of your fate and the more you delegate and control situations the easier the day becomes.
3. Invest in things that assist you. Purchase planners, cell phones, directories, computer equipment, etc. Being frugal saves money but does not win you time.
4. Be selfish. Learn to say ?No?. Be respectful and learn to say no when possible. Affirming all that comes into your day only throws you out of focus.
5. Laugh and learn. Life is too short. We are not on this earth but for a short time; do not sweat the small stuff.
6. Reward yourself. When something goes well, go for a walk, buy the dress, go out for a nice dinner but do not wait because no one will take care of us but us.
Creating change alters the comfort zone. However, when you begin to make changes you begin to see the timesavings you desire. You also eliminate stress. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "Be the change you want to see."."
Both Tati Santi & Drew Stevens are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Tati Santi has sinced written about articles on various topics from Legal Matters, Software. Tatiana Sushchenko/. Tati Santi's top article generates over 880 views. to your Favourites.
Drew Stevens has sinced written about articles on various topics from Telemarketing, Customer Service and Fundraising. Drew Stevens PhD is known as the Sales Strategist. Drew assists organizations to dramatically accelerate business growth. He is the author of seven books including Split Second Selling and Split Second Customer Service and Little Book of Hope and is frequ. Drew Stevens's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.