public relations…social media…commmunications…marketing. Repeat.

Trust me, I know. There are not enough hours in the day. As communicators and marketers, we have mastered the art of being jack-of-all trades and wearing many hats. However; in order to effectively perform our tasks (and keep our own sanity), it is important to maintain balance. I’ve put together a quick list of helpful pointers that will help you control the organized, or not so organized chaos you call life.

• Make a “To Do” list. Making a “To Do” list is a great way to keep you on task. It is also a good way to see what kind of progress you made in a day. You can also use your list to gage how many projects you can expect to complete on an average day.
• Allocate certain times in the day to complete certain tasks. Instead of being a slave to email, adjust your schedule so that you are only answering email once or twice a day. By grouping tasks together that you do often, you open your schedule up to allow more time to complete more pressing projects.
• Tune out distractions. How many times a day do you get interruptions from co-workers, instant messages, office chatter, personal phone calls, etc.? Do your best to avoid participating in these activities. When a co-worker stops by your desk, do not be afraid to ask them, “How can I help you?” You are setting the tone for that conversation. If they just wanted to chit-chat, they will see that you are busy and come back another time. If your cell phone is blowing up, do one of three things:

o   Put it on silent/off.

o   Put it in your purse or a drawer.

o   Leave it in the car.

Personal phone calls can be a huge distraction at work both to you and your co-workers. They can also get you in serious trouble with your boss. If you need to keep your phone with you at work, take a cue from bullet point #2 and select a certain time of day to answer personal calls. Your lunch or smoke break is perfect for that.

• Organize your surroundings. Clean your desk, please. A clean and clear desk makes it easier to focus and find what you need. Need a mental break? Try organizing your desk in sides. One side work and the other side personal. Put all your sticky notes, office memos and work related publications on one side and leave the other side for personal pictures, magazines or funky desk décor.
• Listen to music. Listening to soothing music tends to calm or relax the mind. It’s another way to tune out those outside distractions so you can focus on the task at hand.
• Meditate. Talk about clarity! Meditating for just five to twenty minutes a day can decrease your stress level significantly. Through meditation, you are concentrating on your breathing, slowing down your blood pressure and clearing your mind. What better way to avoid stress at work than by starting it stress free through meditation.
• Get more rest. Let your body rest. Studies have shown that sleep plays a vital role in promoting physical health, longevity, and emotional well-being. When your body is well rested, you will wake up more alert with enough energy to get you through the day.

Remember, you can’t do everything! If someone asks you to do something that is going to take you way of task, don’t be afraid to say no.

Still can’t get focused? Check out this clip from the Today Show for more tips.