Getting organized comes as second nature to some of us, while others may choose to procrastinate on any “spring cleaning” or organizational tasks.
Taking the time to organize your job according to company activities not only improves workflow by saving steps, but it also forces us to think through the different aspects of the operation, and how to approach them efficiently and systematically.
To become more organized, a good place to start is at your own space. Does your workspace currently help you to be organized, or is it the source of many of your problems? You may work best with a little clutter, but if the state of your workspace is spoiling your performance, it’s time to make some changes.
Organize your time
An uncluttered approach to your work won’t just save time, it will also help use time more effectively. Good organizational habits are crucial for successful time management. With easy access to everything you need, seafarers will be confident about the amount of time each task should take. They will also have a clear idea of when to do it, to fit in with the rest of thei work, and to suit other people.
Most importantly, with a calm and controlled approach to each day, seafarers will be able to make good use of all the time-management tools on offer. Start every day as you mean to go on. Give yourself the first 15 minutes to get organized. If you have an action program, go straight to your “Next Actions” list.
Alternatively, a To-Do List, with the day’s priorities at the top can go a long way. This will help seafarers see the best way to shape their day – excluding of course unforeseen events. With a To-Do List seafarers will know which tasks need to be done first, and which can be left until later in the day. They will also be able to match the most significant – or most challenging – work to the times of day when they are at their best.
Organize your computer files
Seafaring is becoming more and more digitalized with every year passing by, and seafarers have to work with computers for many of their tasks. If that is the case, they may want to ensure the files are organized in a manner that will make it easy for them to locate an item quickly. For this reason, be specific in terms of file names so you can conduct an easy search for a specific item when in a rush. This might not seem like a big deal, but it can be a huge time-saver.
Create a calendar
Do you have a meet with the rest of the team onboard during the day? Do you have a task that is urgent? Add these to your calendar, and you will have made a huge step towards avoiding being late or not knowing what task to do next.
Key benefits
Whether or not keeping organized is one of your strengths, it’s a habit everyone should get into, and it offers many benefits:
#1 You can increase your productivity: By keeping organized, you will save time looking for things and will have more time to work on important tasks. As organization can improve the flow of communication between you and your team, you can also make your team more productive. After all, better communication leads to better results.
#2 You can reduce your stress level: If things are organized and labelled neatly, knowing what to do, and where to find anything can be a piece of cake, rather than a source of stress.
#3 You can be on time consistently: Organization and punctuality go hand-in-hand. Consider setting calendar alerts, for example, to ensure you do not get too caught up in a task and lose track of time. That way you can impress your superiors, as you will be prompt and show up on time.
#4 You can ensure you meet deadlines: When task after task begins to pile up, it is not too hard to forget one small, yet important task. Do not miss an important deadline on a project because you got sidetracked with another urgent item. Set calendar alerts so you will never miss a deadline again – or better yet, surprise your superior and complete your task ahead of schedule.