Activity+Logs+and+Action+Plans

= = = **Chapter 2 - Activity Logs & Action Plans**=

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  How long do you spend each day on unimportant things; Things that don't really contribute to your success at work? Everyone feels that they could achieve so much more if they just had 30 extra minutes per day. It is important to prioritize daily tasks as well as plan for long term goals. Activity logs and action plans can help achieve a more productive workplace. Below is a link that discusses the various ways employees waste time in the workplace:    ======

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 [|How Employees Waste Time]    ======

Activity Logs
People’s effectiveness varies at different times during the day. Effectiveness can vary on blood sugar, consistency of short breaks, stress, and various other factors. An acitivity log is a useful tool that reviews the way a person uses his or her time. These logs can help track changes in energy, alertness, and effectiveness throughout the day. = =

·  Keep the activity log for several days to you understand how you spend your time, and when you perform at your best. ·  Write down tasks that you complete in the order that you complete them. ·  Every time you change activities note the time of change. ·  Remember to note how you feel as you write down each activity. ·  After at least one week has passed, analyze your log and discover how you are spending your time at work. The results may surprise you! ·  The analysis should help you free up time in your day.

**Example Activity Log** || Activity || Duration || Energy Level (high, medium, low) || || Make coffee for the workplace || 10 minutes || medium ||
 * Time
 * 8:15 AM

Action Plans
Action plans are a list of tasks that must be completed in order to achieve a goal. Action plans help a person to think about what needs to be done to attain the goal and also help monitor the progress. For example, What if you had to leave work for an indefinite period of time due to a family emergency? In the event that this happened, it would be essential that your co-workers know what tasks/goals must be completed in your absence. __How To Use Action Plans__ ·   To create an action plan, simply list all of the tasks that need to be completed in order to reach the goal. ·     An action plan is different from a “to do” list because it focuses on accomplishing a single goal. ·     Keep the action plan by updating periodically when additional activities occur. The SCHEMES mnemonic is a great tool that helps check the various tasks that need to be completed in order to meet goals and keep a consistent flow of information between you and your co-workers. You may not need to use all of these to reach some goals. SCHEMES: -Space -Cash -Helpers/people -Equipment -Materials -Expertise -Systems