How do you manage your task at work?

4 Comments

1. Luisa CorreaJanuary 23,2024 at 2:40AM UTC

   I use Wrike to keep track of marketing projects. It’s user-friendly and web-based.

   Also check out Trello and Asana.

2. Barb HansenJanuary 23,2024 at 4:20AM UTC

   I second both Write and Trello mentioned by @Luisa Correa in the comment below.

   I use Wrike as my task management and idea backlog tool. It has a free option (with a maximum of 200 open tasks and unlimited closed tasks). Although Wrike can be used to manage complex projects and team, it can be used as a simple nest folders with tasks placed in those folders.

   I use Trello as my personal life task tracking tool. It has a simple kanban board layout, which I find works well if you don't have a lot of tasks.

   If you don't want to learn a new piece of software, and you have access to a white board or a blank wall, you can create your own kanban board (columns for tasks to-do, tasks currently being worked on, tasks waiting for someone else, and tasks completed). You can tape off the columns and then use post-it notes for each task. You could use different colors of post-it notes for different projects if you wanted. You can move post-it notes into the different columns as you work on them. Post-it notes in taped off columns on white boards or walls is the traditional scrum board for managing large software projects.

3. Erika CJanuary 23,2024 at 5:12AM UTC

   Trello, Asana, Monday or Slack are great tools you can put on your personal phone if you cannot put them on a work device. You can use them for yourself or use them with others you share tasks and work with (communication and sharing of info in a more step-by-step process of tasks and collaborative work).

   Also, setting up your work calendar (whether it’s through Outlook, Google, or other work-related email and software services your IT department approves) to implement time that’s set aside for certain repetitive tasks that you need to keep squared away - and whether you block 15, 30, or 90 minutes to focus on those specific tasks at specific times of the day, that will help you manage time more effectively. Combined with any of the other tools mentioned, and it gives you a few ways to visualize where you need to spend time so that you have some flexibility to get to emails and phone calls that can slip through the cracks if you’re a little overwhelmed.

   When you schedule your days of the week with all the 15+ minute tasks you need to do, make sure that you also give a little time between each task’s end and start. Inevitably, you’ll be interrupted at some point, which will cause you to put that task on hold for a competing priority that may take just 5 minutes but it needs to be taken care of asap. Or build in an extra few minutes into each block of time and sort of make a goal to reach or beat your deadline (kind of make it a game for yourself).

   Over time, you’ll find tasks will take less time and you’ll have openings in your day to take on more responsibilities or to collaborate more with other staff or departments to grow your skills and even create plans/projects/policies as you grow into your role further.

4. AnonymousJanuary 23,2024 at 3:03PM UTC

   Take a look at the software already on your computer. Most company email systems include calendars and task lists (as well as contacts). Outlook and Excel, for example, have some excellent organizational templates. Then there are the "old school" paper and pencil lists. When I managed an organization, I had tons of "sticky notes" I used as reminders for meetings and reports that were due, as I have had a hard time with some electronic organizers (and I've tried a lot). Putting reminders in Outlook (if that is your calendar tool) is an excellent place to start.