5 Tricks to Get More Done in a Day

Get more done in a single day with these tips and tricks

In this economic climate, it's imperative that your boss know she can count on you, even if you have more work on your plate than ever before. "Proving that you're indispensable is the best job insurance out there," says Debra Shigley, coauthor of The Go-Getter Girl's Guide. "A few tweaks in your attitude can help you be perceived as effective instead of exhausted." These five work habits will boost your productivity:

1. Time it right. Are you an early bird, or do you do your best work after lunch? "Paying attention to when you're most productive can help you manage your schedule better," Shigley explains. Use that period of the day to focus on complicated tasks; during the times you feel less alert, file, catch up on e-mail, or do other tasks that require less brainpower.

2. Minimize interruptions. Do you find yourself drifting over to the watercooler whenever you see colleagues gathering? "Everyone has interruptions that can chip away at productivity," Shigley says. Brainstorm ways to minimize them, such as confabbing with colleagues only at lunch. You'll stay on task and get projects done.

3. Take the time to organize. A few seconds used to file away an e-mail in a folder could mean saving an hour of frantic searching in the future, reminds Shigley. Whether it's color-coded folders or a simple to-do list, an organizational system can showcase how together you are and help eliminate stress.

4. Think ahead. "Always keep an eye on major looming projects," Shigley says. Even if they're months off, spend any downtime doing prep work to avoid a future crush — and impress your higher-ups with your initiative.

5. Find an ally. You may be putting your nose to the grindstone, but it's all for nothing if no one notices. "An office ally doesn't need to be your boss — it could be another coworker who reports to your boss," Shigley says. Having someone in your corner who can talk up your achievements to your boss is a smart move that will raise your profile.

4 things you should never do with your credit cards

1. Don't make only the minimum payments. This stretches out your payment and, thanks to the interest, significantly increases your overall cost.

2. Don't carry too many cards. Multiple cards make it easier to rack up debt because it's harder to keep track of your spending. Having lots of cards isn't necessarily bad for your credit, but misusing them is. So limit your plastic to two national cards (store cards often carry higher interest rates) that you manage carefully.

3. Don't miss payment due dates. Not only will you be hit with a late fee-as high as $39 on some cards-but your interest rate could also jump. Sign up for online banking or pay over the phone if you're up against the deadline. (You may pay a processing fee, but it will probably be less than the late fee and the possible interest-rate hike.)

4. Don't take cash advances. These advances generally come with sky-high interest rates and service fees, making them a far too expensive way to get cash. Avoid at all costs.

Never make promises to your kid!

Natalya just finished her final exam last week. The exams started on 2 - 4 November 2009. Before that period, my hubby and I keep on monitoring her to make revision as we would like her to improve on her studies as on her mid term exam she didn't perform well. Actually we were just encourage her to do better than before as mid term exams she managed to get number 7 out of 45. And we were proud of it!
While on the way driving off sometimes last week Natalya noticed of Emart Fun Fair was set up, so she insisted to go there. I informed her only after she finished her exam and that only we can go there and enjoyed ourselves. But when she finished her exams this week Natalya keep on asking about that fun fair, so we promised her to go there during weekend and when weekend comes, my family had some function to deal with and again we were unable to make it again. So my family and my sister promised to bring her there on 9 November 2009 which means yesterday. But on that particular day, again I gave her some unspecific reasons and wouldn't be able to go to fun fair. Natalya cried out loud yesterday and it makes me feel out of temper. For the purpose to go the fun fair, I instructed her to do some light house-chores in regards to bring her there..she managed to make it done with all heart, and it makes me feel sad. I told her not to use her daddy's money or her auntie's money if she went to fun fair and I remind her to bring her own money..again she listen to my instruction and counting the money she had and brought RM5.00 (all coins) and I gave her RM3.00 for entrance fee.
According to her daddy, she really enjoyed that moment though it tooks only 1 hour for her, daddy and her auntie enjoyed at fun fair. Last nite I feel uneasy thought that I might broke up my promises to my daughter. Though I thought she is still a small kid but she always remember with all the promises given to her..In regards of that she is willing to do whatever instructed/given so that the promises will be fullfilled. Last but not least, never make promises to your kid when you think you cannot make it!

Latest picture of my family

This picture was captured during our Family Day Annual Dinner at Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club on 17th October 2009. The special about this photo was what we wore that nite. The theme was tradisional nite - something about our culture and tradisional and we wore something that show our race Iban and Melanau. One thing also that I am with my big tummy - 32 weeks pregnancy....While looking at this photo, I feel so scared cause I am totally big...Anyway, I like this picture as it is my 3 1/2 family....

My Little Police

This little girl was so excited with her grandad's uniform last friday. She wore it and act like a police, and I asked her, u want to become a Police when u grown up ~ like ur grandad...she refused, she said she want to become an Engineer like Auntie Linda. This little girl dream of being an engineer when she grow up, everytime when we pass by the Petronas Office at Lutong, she will mention to me and my hubby..."Mummy' this is my office when I grow up." My husband and I never asked her all these while what she wanted to be when she grown up. Anyway, may her dream comes true!!!

Sleeping Beauty

Of all the things, I like to capture Natalya's pictures while she was sleeping. She was so cute indeed while she was sleeping. And again, Natalya always having weird ways to fall asleep. I feel funny sometimes watched her on her sleeping beauty. It makes me realised also..she might grown up faster while having her beautiful sleeping...Natalya knows to find ways to make her fall asleep easily. One more thing, I cannot sleep without her beside me...heee

Michael Jackson passed away

What a great loss to world music industries as MJ passed away on 25 June 2009 at the aged of 50. I was grown up with all MJ music while I was a small kid..Still remembered some of his songs.
May he rest in peace....

Half of the year 2009 flies

Finally I manage to spend some times with my blog. After half of the year 2009 flies, I feel it has been a great dan blessful times dan days ahead. So many things happened in life and career but I still believe that is all with God's plan...Thanks God for His wonderful blessing.

Early of the year 2009, beloved hubby finally managed to further his studies (PJJ) with UPM - with his Bachelor Degree in Human Resources (If I'm not mistaken). Congrats to him as this is his dream to hold a degree after more than 10 years services with company, this is the time he could aim for his dream. Living with a person who is starting to go for classes, assignments, examination...is not easily. I have to be strong and a supportive partner as hubby has been leaving his school times about ages..it is not a good start..I guess.

Then, life is meaningful as during my career at last management acknowledge my services, I am glad to receive the APC award (Anugerah Pekerja Cemerlang 2008)last April at PICC, Putrajaya. It is a bonus for me as I believe ..when you are happy with your jobs and you are doing all the task/duties with all heart, good heart..not only the management realise but God knows..and what I get I think I deserved it...Heee..(puji diri).

2009 is full of targets and mission. One of it..if God answer my prayer I really hope for 2nd baby. Natalya is 8 years old know, always asking for little baby for accompanion. I know she is alone and looking for partnership to be with especially during her playtime. Kind of sad moments realising these...but I never give up to asking God for his blessing. At last, on 24 April 2009 during my routine check up with doctor as I was not feeling well lately, doc confirmed that I'm pregnant about 6-7 weeks. It's hard to believe but when the scanning is done..tears flow to see my own baby in my womb. It is hard to express..happy plus sad..all in one feeling. After quite some times waiting, God is really in me and answering my prayers...Now I am in 15 weeks pregnancy, I pray to God to keep me safe within HIS hands..really looking forward to wear my maternity dress..of course to hold my own baby ..sometimes in December (EDD 10 December 2009)and another 5 months to go thru...