How to manage workload clarity

I talked last week about the need to get clarity on your work.  I talked about the types of work in order for you to try and group them into meaningful categories.  You can find the post here.

However how are you going to actually get control over this?

One way that has worked for me is the GTD, Getting Things Done methodology.  It follows a 5 step process:

1. Collection - Collect all the inputs into one place
2. Processing - Figure out what is means to you
3. Organising - Collate it into packages of actions with that vital "Next Action"
4. Reviewing - Keep on top of it all regularly with a weekly review
5. Doing - Focus on doing the right things, in the right way at the right time

This is a standard process for controlling your workload.  In being in control you have clarity, and with clarity, you can better choose what you want to spend your time focusing on.

I've been using this process for over a year now.  It took a few days to learn and implement.  However its scope and depth is great enough for me to still be developing and adapting it for my needs even today.

The best place to start is by buying the book, Getting Things Done: How to Achieve Stress-free Productivity by David Allen.  Alternatively check out his website www.davidco.com

You have to start with yourself and get clarity, get this right and you'll have the basis to better manage others.