Being organized and having a work ethic may increase the productivity of your performance. It also helps reduce stress and tensions at work because you have everything planned out, and you deliver top quality services.

But what are the most important elements of self-management at work? And, most importantly, how do your organization techniques impact your performance.

In this article, you’ll find key aspects of self-organization along with some tips to become better at planning your work.

The pillars of self-organization

As we previously mentioned, self-management at work is crucial for improving performance and ensuring success. However, if you want to improve your abilities, you may want to learn what are the most important elements at the basis of self-organization.

Planning

The first thing that comes to mind when talking about self-administration is planning skills.

Carefully scheduling activities to fit into your day is a seriously useful skill. It makes you more reliable and trustworthy. Not to mention that it helps you work less stress because you’re not worrying about due dates and continuously running against the time.

Efficient planning is based on a couple of micro-elements, such as:

• Prioritizing tasks and solving urgent ones. This way, you respect deadlines and risk creating a chain of delays.
• Independent work process. This means that you don’t need frequent help to do your job.
• Fast and effective communication that’s always up to date. This means that you answer emails and phone calls as soon as possible without postponing meetings and other collective activities.
• Organization in the work environment. Having a clean and tidy workplace helps with productivity because you always know where things are. Also, documents in alphabetical order and post-its are handy. You can even go one step further and digitize your documents so you can even directly search for important files. If you’re handling legal documents, you should make sure to use templates for contracts. This way, you don’t have to create them by scratch and you always know where to look for them.
• Punctuality. Arriving on time or early is a sign of professionalism.
• A calendar that includes all the free days, weekends, leaves, office parties, etc.
• Preventive communication and measures. An organized person notifies their boss about the leaves a week or two prior so that the company doesn’t suffer from delays and other issues. Also, a person who can manage themselves always has a backup plan in case of an emergency.

Accountability

If you are an independent employee who can manage their work, the chances are that you prevent many errors through your careful planning. Nevertheless, mistakes happen, and when they do, you might want to show that you can answer honestly to your superintendents.

Nowadays, managers and CEOs look for employees who are not afraid of taking responsibility in case of slip-ups. The last thing companies need is workers who try to blame others for their faults. Therefore, admitting your failures and successes is part of the journey, and it saves the funds of the company.

Here’s how an organized employee manifests their accountability:

• Accepting challenges and new responsibilities if they’re confident about their role.
• Declining new tasks and projects if they think that they’re not capable of completing them.
• Admitting their success with confidence.
• Admitting faults with a critical mind and thought of improvement.
• Reliability.
• Adaptation skills for unprecedented situations.

Initiative

Another crucial aspect is the initiative. Being able to find new ways to do your work or come up with new ideas for the whole business is one of the most useful skills. Initiative also involves improving processes and introducing new technologies that can make your team’s work more efficient.

Most agencies that wish to expand try to find employees who can work autonomously. Also, they look for people who can bring useful input that can accelerate the company’s progress. Employees who actively suggest improvements not only help the business grow but also demonstrate leadership potential.

Having initiative skills include:

• Problem-solving skills through new and creative ideas.
• Coming up with innovative ideas that aid the company’s growth.
• Taking action without waiting for a superintendent’s encouragement (unless it’s a risky situation that requires approval).
• Encouraging others to take measures and to get involved.

How to become a self-managed employee

Improving your management skills is a long process. You won’t become organized in a day, it takes time. Moreover, you need to explore different strategies to find out what works best for you and what’s most efficient. As you refine your self-management skills, keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for another.

Nonetheless, you can start with the basic strategies to manage your schedule, and then you can develop more specific methods. Here are a couple of quintessential self-management tips.

• Make a list and set up a smart schedule

Since most organizing is planning, try to place important meetings, deadlines, and other important dates onto your personal calendar. Integrating digital tools like shared calendars can further streamline your scheduling process and ensure everyone is on the same page. Try to get tasks done a day or two before the due date so you have time to fix possible errors. For larger projects, breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable steps will make them feel less overwhelming and more achievable.

For example, you have an assignment due on Wednesday. Try to finish it on Monday and send it on Tuesday. This way, if your cloud storage stops working or your file’s formatting is off, you have time to sort it out.

Don’t forget to make specific to-do lists for each day and start with the harder tasks. Tracking the completion of these tasks can give you a sense of accomplishment and encourage you to tackle the next challenge.

• Organize your documents, desktop, and space

If you’ve never put your files in order, start now. For some people, this task is extremely time-consuming because they have a lot of misplaced things and documents. However, this step is crucial, and it can’t be skipped. Investing in digital organization tools like cloud storage and file management apps can make this task easier and more efficient.

Start with your cloud storage and computer. Gather similar articles and apps in folders with appropriate and descriptive names. Your desktop should be almost empty, and your files should be easy to find.

Next, tackle real documents: bills, files, notes, brochures, journals, etc. Use shelves and folders to put things in order. Then organize your workspace and clean it.

Once you’re done, you’ll have everything sorted, and when you need a file, you’ll know exactly where to find it.

Remember to keep things in place: as you add new documents, put them in apposite folders.

• Use technology

Technology is helpful for self-administration. Some devices have in-built apps that help you create to-do lists that you can tick off. Also, some apps offer a broad range of features such as alarms for meetings, fitness and health trackers, and interactive notepads.

This way, you don’t need paper, and you always have your mobile journal on your phone.

• Become independent and responsible

This tip requires a shift in mentality. If you want to manage yourself and your work better, then you might want to take responsibility for your actions.

Also, don’t wait for your boss to tell you what to do. Start in advance and put more passion into what you’re doing. This way, your colleagues and superintendents will see you as a model employee.

Remember to ask for what you want. Whether it’s a raise or a training course, ask your manager about it and be straightforward.

• Collaborate

Just because you can manage yourself doesn’t mean that you have to do everything by yourself. Collaborating through candid communication is key to success in the workplace. Strong collaboration often leads to improved outcomes, as multiple perspectives can contribute to more effective solutions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or to suggest an idea.

For example, even if you’re a desk employee, reach out to the CEO if you have an innovative idea for the company. The result may be a promotion, a raise, a boost in your reputation, or all three. Active participation and feedback from others can also lead to professional development and recognition.

• Use time management techniques

Self-organization is deeply connected to how well you manage your time. While planning and staying organized are crucial, how you allocate your time during the day is equally important. Time management techniques can help you stay on track and avoid unnecessary stress.

One popular method is the Pomodoro Technique, where you work for 25 minutes straight, followed by a 5-minute break. This cycle helps prevent mental fatigue and keeps you energized throughout the day. It also allows for quick resets, so you stay focused on the task at hand.

Another effective technique is time-blocking, which involves setting aside specific hours for specific tasks. By dedicating a chunk of time to each task, you can eliminate distractions and focus on one thing at a time. It’s also useful to assess your energy levels throughout the day. Some people are naturally more productive in the morning, while others perform better later in the day. Identify when your energy is at its peak and tackle the most difficult tasks during those hours. This way, you can approach work with more focus and efficiency, making the most of your most productive times.

• Minimize distractions

In today’s world, distractions are everywhere. Whether it’s phone notifications, social media, or even coworkers, staying focused can be a challenge. To minimize distractions, consider turning off unnecessary notifications, silencing your phone, and setting specific times for checking your email. If you work in an office, you can try using noise-canceling headphones or set “do not disturb” hours for when you need to concentrate.

Additionally, it’s best to avoid multitasking. While it might seem like you’re getting more done, multitasking often leads to a drop in quality. Instead, focus on one task at a time and complete it before moving on to the next.

• Prioritize self-care and work-life balance

Self-organization isn’t just about managing your tasks; it’s about managing yourself, too. Without proper rest, nutrition, and exercise, it becomes much harder to stay organized and productive. Make sure to schedule regular breaks throughout your workday, and don’t hesitate to take time off to recharge when you need it. Prioritizing work-life balance is crucial for maintaining long-term productivity.

When you take care of your mental and physical health, you’re more focused and energized to tackle your tasks. Remember, you can’t perform well if you don’t feel well. Setting boundaries between work and personal life will help you recharge and maintain your efficiency when you return to work.

• Reflect and improve continuously

Self-organization isn’t a static skill — it’s something you continue to improve over time. To keep progressing, you need to regularly reflect on your work habits and evaluate what’s working well and what isn’t.

At the end of each week, take a few minutes to think about what you accomplished. What tasks went smoothly? Which ones could have been done more efficiently? This kind of reflection allows you to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments as needed.

Journaling can be an effective way to track your progress. You can write down what went well, where you faced challenges, and what you plan to do differently next time. This practice not only helps you spot trends in your work habits but also encourages you to celebrate your successes, no matter how small. It also gives you the chance to learn from any mistakes and figure out how to improve moving forward.

By making reflection a regular habit, you ensure that you’re always refining your approach to self-organization. Over time, you’ll find yourself developing more efficient strategies that suit your personal work style and contribute to your long-term success.

Conclusion

Being self-organized is vital for your work. Your productivity increases, your colleagues and your superiors appreciate you more. Ultimately, cultivating these self-management skills not only boosts your efficiency but also positions you as an asset to your team or company.

The three staples of good self-administration are planning, accountability, and initiative. So, if you wish to improve in self-management, try these nine tips:

1. Make a list and set up a smart schedule.
2. Organize your documents, desktop, and space.
3. Use technology.
4. Become independent and responsible.
5. Collaborate.
6. Implement time management techniques.
7. Minimize distractions.
8. Prioritize self-care and balance.
9. Reflect and improve continuously.
   

By applying these techniques, you can create a more structured and productive workday, which will ultimately lead to greater success in your career.