Here are three tips on how to have an effective work day:

CONCENTRATE
No matter what you’re doing, always remember to give the task your full concentration. Even if you’re multi-tasking, give each individual task your undivided attention before moving on to the next task. Trying to do too many things at the same exact time keeps you from getting tasks completed in a timely manner.

Tips for concentration:
-When speaking with another person, put the BlackBerry away and concentrate on listening.

-When working on a task, don’t be simultaneously surfing the Internet and checking your email at the same time.

-Try to create the ideal work environment

DO WHAT FEELS RIGHT
Have you ever had a boss tell you to do something that gave you a bad feeling in your gut? Listening to your intuition (instinct) will save you from getting into sticky situations. If your boss wants you to sign off on a plan you know nothing about or disagree with, don’t be afraid to speak up.

Tip for doing what feels right:

-Always ask yourself, “How does this make me feel?”
-Rely heavily on your intuition.
RECOGNIZE HOW YOU MISUSE YOUR DAYS
We’ve all done it. Another day put to bad use. In order to have an effective workday, you must first recognize how you misuse your days. Without a doubt, there have been days when you looked back and knew that hour spent watching TV could have been put to better use. It’s time to own up to your own misuse of time!

Tips for recognizing how you misuse your days:
-Take notes at the end of everyday. Divide your paper into two sections and under the first column write down your productive activities of the day. Use the second column to write down ways in which you misused your day and/or could have been more productive. Do this for a week and notice any patterns. Work towards change.

-Set daily goals.

Recommended video for great tips:

Kevin Kline vblog on “Efficiency & Effectiveness at Work”