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....