Anticipate and plan ahead

Whatever your job, you're going to have to deal with the expected (emergency budgets, calls to make, meetings to attend, reports to write and all the rest) and the unexpected (when the boss has a brainwave and has to discuss it with you right away).

The problem: how to juggle what's marked URGENT, what's "a priority" and what needs doing immediately...

The solution: Set a deadline for every task and work out how long it should take you, then make an action plan with your priorities first, for example "Morning: Case A; Afternoon: Client B."

"In January, it's a good idea to note down all the usual jobs you know you'll have to deal with over the course of the year," says our expert. "Knowing the time frame you have to play with will help you do a bit at a time. For example, as soon as you get your budget, put it all together and make your calculations so you then just have to do a bit of fine-tuning here and there and you don't end up stressing because you've gone over budget."

But don't set your agenda in stone. You need to be able to deal with emergencies as and when they arise. Either arrange for a workmate to finish what you were working on so that you can deal with the emergency, or tell your boss and team you'll deal with the emergency and finish what you were working on another time.

Also: 
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