Listly by Ivan Dimitrijevic
We have a lot of tasks to deal with in the modern workplace, and when we combine this with many everyday obligations outside of work, it can be incredibly easy to lose track of things. Any serious professional worth his or her salt quickly develops effective methods for organizing and time management, which will allow him or her to make the most of any given day and still have some time left over to kick back and relax.
A cluttered mind is as bad for business as a cluttered and untidy office, so a true professional should be able to keep his or her life under a good amount of control. Knowing exactly what has to be done at any given moment and being prepared for a variety of common situations allows you to worry less and focus on the task at hand. Here are a few useful items that will keep you well-organized and ready to tackle any problem on the go.
Even if your job allows you to wear fairly casual attire, there are still times when you need to dress to impress. If you want to make things simple and ensure that you can be ready for a formal meeting or a bit of networking in a fancy setting, you should have one high-quality suit in your wardrobe that is clean, ironed and ready to go. Navy blue or black, with a crisp white shirt, elegant black leather shoes, a nice tie for men and a few simple accessories to go with it, this can be your superhero outfit that sits waiting for that special occasion.
With these versatile items at your disposal, and some effort put into planning out your work week, it won’t be too difficult to become as organized, productive and punctual as a true professional.
There are few ways better of introducing your business to potential clients, investors and business partners than a presentation. It needs to be rich, straightforward and well thought through. Now, most businessmen have seen hundreds or possibly thousands Powerpoint presentations throughout the course of their career so you need to make it as unique as possible. Getting a quality portable projector may be an investment but it makes a difference.
Our phones are the greatest assets we have with us, so make sure you have a portable cell-phone charger to avoid unpleasant situations. There are also tons of excellent time-management apps that will help you develop a schedule and stay on track with all your obligations.
An empty stomach and dehydration are your worst enemies when you are on a tight schedule and need all the focus that you can get. Some great snacks include peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bananas and protein bars, while a bottle of water and a sports drink will help you stay hydrated throughout the day.
Small problems can often be very frustrating and cause you to lose concentration. Cuts, scrapes, aches and pains can happen anywhere, and a well-organized professional needs to deal with them quickly and effectively. A small first aid kit, with a few essential items and some common drugs thrown in will ensure that you can remain healthy and pain free. A bit of toothpaste, wet wipes, some paper towels, hand sanitizer and liquid soap can help you stay fresh and comfortable if you don’t get a chance to go home and freshen up in the bathroom.
Busy professionals often find themselves doing a lot of work outside the office and making business calls during their free time. It can be difficult to concentrate in an open setting like a restaurant, coffee shop, or in a room full of noisy guests, so a good pair of good noise-canceling headphones can enable you to get some work done on the fly in peace and quiet. Look for ones with an integrated microphone, so that you are able to take Skype calls.
If you are a serious professional, there is a good chance that you will be running errands around town throughout the day. This means that you will need to be a bit of a nomad, and carry a lot of the things that you need around with you. The most important item on you will be your bag. The exact type of bag you need will depend on your lifestyle, but some of the most important things to look for in a bag are:
A quality bag is well-worth the investment, as it will last you a long time, and it will be the most used item that you have.