This article on Work Shortcuts was originally published in Chatelaine Magazine.

I know that the email ping is the sound that somebody loves you, but you’ve got to turn it off! Check email and reply only a couple of times a day.” ~ Linda Chu, Professional Organizer, Vancouver

Plan for Tomorrow

Write the next day’s to-do list at the end of the day, advises Lorraine Behnan, a motivational speaker and communications consultant in Ancaster, Ont. You’ll settle in more quickly in the morning.

Play the Banjo!

“Bang A Nasty Job Off” first thing in the day. You’ll cut procrastination time if you do that task you’re dreading before anything else.

Use the Email Program’s Tools

“In Microsoft Outlook,” says Chu, “look under the Tools menu and click on Rules. You can have emails from designated addresses automatically sorted into folders, colour-coded, made a high-priority or deleted.”

Have a Tailgate Party

Barbara Quinn, Chatelaine’s Ask an Expert career columnist, says, “Work crews flip down the truck tailgate, sit down and meet for 10 minutes – that’s it! If you allow an hour for a meeting, it will take an hour.”

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