During these complicated times, it’s easy to lose track of our goals. Often, we seem to be constantly buried or in the routine of plowing ahead and working hard. This column is a reminder to remember to work smart and pace yourself.

Whether you are a small business owner, a manager in a local business or a state worker balancing on-going business with monthly furloughs, the reality is most of us are in work situations where we are doing more with less.

We’re doing more with less time and less money. One challenge we face is balance; trying to do the best with what we have, while not burning out. Learning how to work smart, and not just hard, necessitates that your efforts should go to high-priority tasks.

Here are a few tips to keep you working smart.

• Planning is essential to prioritizing your tasks. Everyday make a list of what tasks must be accomplished, followed by tasks that could be done. When you finish the list, rank the tasks in order of importance. Then organize yourself to do the tasks that are the highest priority first.

Planning is also essential to developing your own schedule or your own system. Take the time to evaluate what your own habits are and see if there is room for more efficiency. For example, if you are a morning person, make your most important appointment early in the day. You want to complete the most important assignments when you are at your best.

• Try to find ways to minimize tedious and redundant tasks by learning to use short cuts or by delegating. Often, we don’t have the option of delegating our work to employees; but some of the time, we choose not to delegate tedious tasks. 

Be realistic about what you can accomplish in one hour, one day or one week. Schedule in “fat time,” excess time in case the worst-case scenario or an emergency crops up. Try not to be reactive to urgent requests, most are not really urgent, and it takes the average person 12 minutes to get back on task.

• Remember to schedule in “down time” for yourself. This will keep you from burning out or losing optimism.

• Live in the now, and be in the know. Keep up-to-date with what is going on in your community and your industry by reading or involving yourself in business associations. Time for reflection and connecting with fellow business owners or professionals will help you get through the difficult times.

The Napa County Economic Outlook for 2010, on Sept. 25 features renowned experts who share their insights about the economy, business and what you can expect as you plan for the upcoming year. This is an excellent opportunity to get away from your piles of work and connect with community.

Remember: “Keep your nose to the grindstone” not only means to work hard, but to work steady. Pace yourself.