Now that I’ve been working at my internship for a solid month, I have to say that there is a certain routine that I’ve found myself in. I have had several meetings scheduled that are on a repeat basis—for instance, I meet with my mentor, Ryan Harvey, once every two weeks to discuss progress and I meet with Garrett Treager almost daily to collaborate and check-in with certain projects as well. I like to come into the office in the morning, and after I’ve checked my email and made sure that there is nothing that requires immediate attention, I like to go get a coffee from Starbucks. I also have a certain time that I like to check in on various projects, and a particular time I like to go to lunch. Sometimes, routine can help you get through the day and set up some structure in order to make sure certain tasks are taken care of.
After my morning coffee, I like to sit down and look at the pending projects that I have to do—maybe they don’t need to be finished for another month, but as long as I constantly remember that it’s something I have to do, and I think this helps me in actually getting the task done. This way, if I am being held up on some other project, I can remember something that eventually needs done and get started on that while I have time. By doing this, it not only makes sure I always have something to do, but it makes sure that everything gets done as well.
I have a To Do List of the things that I HAVE to get done (meaning things with sooner due dates and/or of more importance) and I have a To Do List of things that should EVENTUALLY get done (meaning side projects, such as the Inspirational Poster Project that is ongoing). This method also helps me to keep my projects and assignments up-to-date for school—I find that this is an easy transition and one that has tremendously helped me within the workplace.
By doing this daily, making a routine, and writing up a list of things I know I need to do, this has really facilitated my getting accustomed and settled into a working environment. I know that using this system will allow me to be a better worker, and it’s thanks to my experience with organizing for school that I can confidently use this tool and others in my success at the work place.
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Nice discussion here, Addie. I like your practice of creating those different types of "To Do" lists and, just as importantly, frequently returning to those lists to make sure you're staying on top of projects that need to be completed. Another practice I suggest adding to these activities: when you're assigned a project, take some time to think about all the different tasks (e.g., different types of research, planning, drafting, revising, etc.) you need to do in order to produce the final product; estimate the amount of time you might need to complete these different types of activities, and then work backwards from the due date in order to budget out and schedule in the time you need to complete these individual activities and, in turn, the larger project. This type of micro-level analysis of the project and micro-level planning can help you to manage large-scale projects, and it certainly would help to create even more routine (as you check in daily to see the specific activities you need to complete in order to produce a larger project) in the smart work routine you've already developed.
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