How to avoid those last-minute requests at the end of the day
A typical working day is filled with requests, whether face-to-face, by email or on your messenger app.
When the requests come in randomly, or at worst, at the end of the day, your day and sometimes evenings can be taken over.
Questions and requests for your help are fine, but it doesn't matter how well you plan and structure your day; these ad-hoc requests can kill your productivity and your evenings!
To fix this, each morning before you get started, think about who will most likely need your help today or reach out to you anyway?
This could be someone you're working the most with or someone who often asks for your help; you'll know who these requesters are most likely to be.
Then ask them, "What do you need from me today?" or something similar.
By doing this, you're doing two things.
You are forcing them to plan ahead as they'll need to think about their day and when they might need you.
Plus, they're less likely to ask you for something they could do or find out themselves later that day.
This is because if they think of something they would typically forward to you, they'll feel bad, as you've already asked earlier that day and are less likely to do it.
Depending on whom you work with and how busy you're, it will vary who you need to ask and how you ask the question.
领英推荐
You don't want to ask the same person every morning what you need from me today, so use your judgment on who to ask and when.
To help you be consistent with this approach, add a reminder in your diary to make sure you do it daily.
Another benefit of doing this is that you start to change the habits of the most consistent last-minute requesters without them even realising it!
Over time, they'll begin to come to you early and early without you having to ask, which makes your planning and management of the day much easier.
If you like this post, you might like my monthly newsletter, the + 2.
Once a month, I'll send you two practical and easy-to-implement tips on improving your Project Management and Productivity at work.
One email - Once a month
You can get it here ->?https://newsletter.ppm.academy
Remote Project Manager for Digital, Print & Video | Certified Workshop Facilitator | Mobile & Web Apps
1 年Excellent tip Ben Willmott As a Digital PM I try to identify risks, but I typically focus on clearing the path for the team to achieve what's needed with minimal resistance. I don't make a habit of anticipating what others could do that will block my workflow.
Project Leadership Success Coach - Transforming project managers to be confident, resilient, and strategic project leaders ?? Top #3 PM Creator in Canada ?? PM Leadership workshop facilitator ?? Global speaker ??
1 年Great tips to help to prioritize others tasks as well as your own!
I help project managers simplify project management
1 年Become a High Performing Project Manager ?? I help Project Managers close the gap between who they’re now and who they can be. Free Discovery call here: https://bit.ly/3IXL2qD Join the +2 Productivity & Project Management newsletter ??? Once a month, I'll send you two practical and easy-to-implement tips on improving your Project Management and Productivity at work. Get it here: https://newsletter.ppm.academy.
Programme Manager | PMO Specialist | Agile, Scrum & Waterfall Expert | Transforming Projects into Business Success
1 年Love reading your posts Ben Willmott