Sometimes it can feel like you are spinning in circles trying to keep projects moving forward while new initiatives fly at you faster than you can keep up. Are you floundering in a pool or projects? Here are four tips on how to keep organized and headed successfully toward deadlines:

 

Calendar – Keep a calendar, one calendar, for all of your projects. Mark dates clearly when something should be complete and stick to it. Too often we push back deadlines to make it all work inevitably creating an even busier week down the road. Organizing all projects onto one calendar will allow you to easily see what your schedule looks like and the ability to maintain realistic goals.

 

Reminders – Set reminders for when a deadline is coming up. Even set alerts for when you should have reached a certain milestone in a project. These will help keep you on track.

 

Color-Coordination – A calendar can get confusing with multiple projects. An easy fix is using one specific color per project. Use this color throughout the entire project to help keep your mind focuses. A green pen on the calendar correlates with the green folder on your desk and the green flag on alerts. It may seem juvenile but this trick really works magic.

 

Nix the Excessive Meetings – We’ve all been there: a meeting to discuss a meeting. Recognize the difference between a “just-because-check-in-meeting” and a meeting that will actually produce results. Too often meetings are held just to maintain a weekly or biweekly check in. Rarely are these productive meetings. Instead, create a calendar invite for when a genuinely important topic arises that should be discussed with the entire project’s team.