[Libby Huffman]

It's easy to become frustrated with a mounting workload. With files strewn across our desks and miscellaneous papers stretched as far as the eye can see, we often feel disorganized and hopeless. Learn tools to turn your pending projects into completed.
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[Jodith]

One thing I have always encouraged my bosses to do is to set aside one or two hours a day for uninterrupted work. I would block out those times on their calendar, so no meetings could be booked then. That way they always got at least some uninterrupted time to clear some of the work from their desks.

As administrative assistants, we can't always have that time, but we can try. I would usually set aside the first hour in the morning for projects that needed work without interruption as it tends to be the quietest time of the day. Whenever the quietest time is in your office, try to set that time aside to do work that needs few interruptions. Put a sign on your desk that asks for no interruptions. I've found that most people will honor that.

[rrinyai]

I work for a staff of about 30, which includes 6 managers. Trying to help everyone can be really difficult, as so many people ask me for something all at the same time and they want it done yesterday.

I've noticed that if I ask my manager to send out a gentle reminder e-mail to all staff members to let me know of urgent requests via e-mail by clicking on the high importance icon, I would get to those items first. Everything else would fall into place.

Thanks,

Richard Rinyai
The Professional Assistant

[deana79]

I try to get into the office an hour early every day. It is amazing how much work you can get down while no one else is around. I have found that I seem to get more done off hours than during the 8 hours everyone else is in the office.

To go with what Jodith said about scheduling 2 hours a day for her boss for uninterrupted work, I have tried this with my boss, however sometimes he is just so busy that he doesn't have the time. There is always people reaching out to him that it never seems to work. One thing that we have done in the past when we are both feeling behind, is take a Friday to get caught up. We tell the rest of the the office that for all intents and purposes we are "out of the offices." Of course the main objective should be to never get to that point, but it does help when things are getting extremely overwhelming.