Using Google Spreadsheets To Track Time Inputs
For freelancers and telecommuters, tracking time spent on projects can be difficult or time-consuming. There are software out there you can use to do this, but sometimes these just don’t have the right features, or are too complicated to use.
Sure, you can always use spreadsheet applications, but those can be cumbersome, and you’re constrained to keeping track of stuff on just one computer.
My solution: Google Spreadsheets.
This lets me “time in” so I can easily track how much I spend on my different tasks. The columns I usually use are:
- Date/Day
- Start time
- End time
- Time spent for task
- Total time for the day
- Total time for the week
- Total time for the month
- The sum of the individual tasks done for the day
- The sum of the time put in for that whole week (Mon to Sun)
- The sum of all time put in for a month
Sure, I do have to copy around formulas to different cells. But it’s as easy as Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V. And I do have full control!
Work On Your Cognitive Skills
When you apply for a job or perhaps undergo an annual evaluation, chances are you will undergo a series of tests which include tests on your various abilities. They are called the aptitude test, something that is standard in most companies.
Of course, the initial goal is to rank high although it would be best to answer them openly and honestly. It is not an exam wherein anyone passes or fails. Rather, they are exams to determine your shortcoming as a person. For one, there is no such thing as a perfect person and surely there will be some areas in our personality that need to be improved.
Ordinarily, people tend to ignore this belief and answer these tests regardless if it affects them or not. In reality, the organization or group giving these tests have nothing to lose. But on the part of the person taking them, he is depriving himself of improving areas that can help in molding him both into a better individual and professional.
Deep inside though, a person would know which areas need to be improved. People do not want to be embarrassed and hence such improvements are limited to what a person can do on his own. That may be a challenge for him personally but it would be better to authenticate first which among these areas really need attention and improvement.
Treat Overtime Work as Milestones not Income
There is a problem when it comes to assessing why overtime work has to be done for some people. To most, it is a means of additional income. To the superiors, it is a measure of incompetence and a sign of something wrong within the workflow process which needs to be evaluated and changed.
At times, company sections cannot help but render overtime to meet deadlines and keep the operations flowing. It is something that is critical, especially if goals are to be met by the organization. Rather than hiring additional personnel or buying new equipment such as workstations, asking identified employees to render extended hours is a need.
Overtime work done once or on an as-needed basis is acceptable. But if overtime work becomes a regular thing, it is indeed something that shows something direly wrong. Assessing each point should be done and providing various solutions to help address the solution is important.
Employees work their butt out each time. Some may like the additional pay while others may not. But as far as job scope is concerned, the best way to address flaws in a work system will be identified only with the inputs of the manpower that is caught in between these issues.
Manage your Workload Wisely
There are people who will not admit it but at times, taking in workloads even if they cannot handle them may be a problem when it comes to meeting deadlines. At first, an aggressive worker who would not complain of the tasks simply because he loves the job may end up falling short of expectations.
As far as fear of being tagged as incompetent, it does not always follow that people who beg off from additional work is categorized as complaining. We all know that the best person to measure such would be the manager or supervisor. While you may at times fall in love with your job, it is the output that is important above all.
In all, there is a fine line between laziness and trashing yourself with work such as reports and paper work. Know your limits and simply get tasks to which you can manage. It is no longer an age where more work makes you the ideal employee. It is production that counts and will get the credit and not your dedication and hard work.
Exercise as form of Mental Aerobics
Following a regular exercise routine is known to keep our bodies into shape. But today, it seems that exercise can also make us wiser. Most of these activities point towards the brain, an internal organ we rarely give attention when we are sweating it out. But look at the fact. We do certain repetition of an exercise, which needs the use of our brain. In essence we are using our intellect to stay fit as well.
Work related issues need proper decision-making. Often, we find ourselves bumming out for one reason or another. A lot of the people who experience this are more concerned of reporting for work to be paid. But as far as production is concerned, most could care less. There are many people who are already satisfied with where they are while the career stepping elite are finding ways to improve their standing and attain personal career goals.
A fit body can produce a sound mind. Memorization and building on logical choices can relatively be improved. You just have to find a way to fire up those brain cells to get the job done. With regular exercise, you are not only covering health issues of keeping fit but also making sure that your mind is functioning up to par with the proper mental exercises that many often forget.
Even when we are sitting or lying down, our bodies send our brains regular updates about how our limbs are positioned. When we, say, stand and begin walking, these electric messages need to be sent more often. (Knee is bent, straight, bent, straight …) Move fast enough and the electrical activity doesn’t have time to dissipate between each message. It begins building up in the brain and eventually triggers a release of chemicals called growth factors.
Growth factors are like manna for neurons. “They make neurons stronger, healthier and improve their ability to learn,” Cotman said. In the presence of growth factors, new neurons are born and old ones sprout, grow and form better connections with each other. Blood vessels blossom along side the neurons, giving them quick access to glucose and other nutrients. All this, in turn, improves our ability to think, learn and remember. As Cotman said, exercise “builds the pipes” for improved cognition.
Tips on Making Effective Business Phone Calls
In this era of email and instant messaging, phone calls are still an integral part of business, especially for those whose work or business involve coordinating with counterparts in other companies thru the phone. Lifespy has some tips in effective business phone communication.
Basically, Alex advises us that:
Business phone calls should be according to a set schedule. If you feel like you just want to pick up your phone and dial your business partner’s number without looking at your watch or your calendar, think again.
Being in Asia myself, my phone has sometimes rung in the middle of the night, and the phone calls were from prospective clients, advertisers, and sometimes even colleagues who weren’t aware I was at the other side of the globe. But in most cases, my correspondents and I would agree on a good time to call or chat, be it on the phone, thru instant messaging, or even on Skype or some other VoIP client.
In short: be prepared, and be polite.