Throughout the workday, there are many things that can deter the web worker from performing at optimal levels. 'Working the web' is a finely intricate dance that can be met with impediments, but it doesn't have to be. Sometimes the little things are overlooked and become big problems if done for a long time. The following are some things to think about during the web worker workday:

Clear Your Inbox

Don't leave previous e-mails festering in your inbox; read them, act upon them, and delete them. You will wind up reading them several times and wasting time if you do not (especially if you receive a multitude of e-mails). If you need it for a later time, file it elsewhere so it does not interfere with or clutter your inbox.

Do One Thing at a Time

We have all thought of the act of multitasking as something that should be applauded, but do not confuse the distinction between sequencing and doing several things at once. Take a few minutes to figure out what needs to be done when and the level of its importance then sequence your day into mini tasks that need to be completed. This may mean that there are some things that don't immediately link that need to get done, but they should not be performed simultaneously. Finish each mini task before beginning the next one- finish what you start. Projects have phases, phases have tasks, tasks need action, and doing multi-tasks at once is not a good move. Your work is graded on ultimate results, so make sure you are moving in the direction that is most conducive to achieving these results.

Think Ahead

Before you 'throw in the towel' each workday, evaluate what will be first on your agenda for the next. When the next day comes, check your e-mail and grade each e-mail against what you have previously defined as the most important thing. What you have previously decided to do may change or it may not. After that most important thing is done, check e-mail again, and again make sure that your most important thing is indeed the most important thing right now. This seems like it is not time efficient, but it actually is efficient. You are evaluating the hierarchy of what moves will produce ultimate results.

Address Emails Quickly

Remember, you are breaking up the day into mini actions in order to schedule specific times you are going to check e-mail. If you can respond to e-mails in two minutes or less, do it to get it out of the way. Continuously re-evaluate your most important task to be completed (things may come up that are of immediate exigency).

Organize

Find a method of organizing web addresses that works best for you and then never deviate from it. Whether it method of cut and paste, writing them in a notebook, writing them on post-its, etc., don't mix and match your methods; keep them consistent.

Know Thy Self

Groundbreaking news: everyone is different! Know yourself and function in a manner that will achieve the best results while keeping you in mind. Some people do their best work in the morning, some at night, etc. You will stay ahead of the game by knowing how your body and mind functions. Chances are, if you are not 'hip' to when you achieve the best results, your colleagues and boss is. If you work from home on things at night because that is when you feel the most 'on-point,' then make sure people know to e-mail you things at this time.

Be Quick and Efficient

The story of the tortoise and the hare teach us that slow and steady will beat fast and reckless, and this is still true, but what if in these times of genetic engineering we could infuse the two? Let us think of this in light of keystrokes: you will be stroking those keys quite often during the workday. Say you need to access Google several times per day, think about how many keystrokes it takes to achieve this. Can you reduce the amount of strokes it takes to get there? Chances are you can and if you do, you may save ten seconds. Big deal you are probably thinking, but think about those ten seconds accumulating over the time of the workday.

Mini Task

Let us return to the tortoise: he didn't get caught up in his ego about being the quickest, he knew he would eventually get to that finish line if he kept his eye on the prize. Remember to break things down into mini tasks. Some tasks will seem more appealing to you based on what they entail. Do not keep putting others off, because then you will be met with a plethora of them at once. Keep your eye on the prize while constantly evaluating what is the most time sensitive and what is most important.

Rethink

Remember to evaluate and set aside the time to reevaluate. Don't stick one to-do list for each day - it is not realistic (though perhaps organized). Expect the unexpected and shift gears to match the priorities, but without doing several things at once (remember to finish each mini task before donning another).

Slow Down

It is not specifically about speed, it is about time-efficiency and quality. Know your priorities and dissect them in such a manner that will ultimately produce the best results in a timely fashion. Sometimes it may appear you are taking a longer time to complete a task when really you are synthesizing things together logically and efficiently to meet your ultimate goals.

Leave No Stone Unturned

Once you have organized, evaluated, and reevaluated your day, upon completing a mini to big task, do not leave any aspect of that task for later. If the final act is in need of a phone call- make it, an e-mail- send it, a short conversation with a colleague- do it. When it is done, finish it, and get it off of your desk and mind.

Relax

I am not saying to spend a great deal of time taking it easy on the job, but in between actions spend a couple minutes reading a funny e-mail or taking a short break. Stressing yourself out by being all about work is only going to add up and take away from the quality of work you can do.