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Recruitment is much like any other job. There is a specific time each day to get specific work done. However, recruitment and human resources can be a bit unpredictable. One of the most difficult tasks to manage is making scheduled phone calls on time. Any call or email can change the course of your day and alter priorities. Controlling spin is key to staying on task and on time.

Leaving a half-hour cushion every two hours can aid in the attempt to stay on schedule. Additionally, insert fifteen minutes between scheduled calls and on-site appointments. Meetings in HR tend to run long because of the very nature of Human Resources; people who serve and help other people are more focused on those they serve and less inclined to strictly watch the clock. Preparing ahead of time for the possibility of a time crunch can help avert back-ups in your system.

It may seem impossible to prepare for disaster or the unforeseen, but having a back-up plan and an alternate course of action in place when routine is broken can assist when your day is less than perfect. In reality, when was the last time you had a perfect day? Plans were made to be broken. Shameful, but true. Instead of being perfect, be perfectly flexible.

Whether you use a PDA, go old school with a planner, abuse outlook, or rely on memory, it is vital to keep in mind that very few planned meetings or calls are set in stone. Most can be pushed back or forward a bit. And learning to be flexible is great for your health. Being strictly regimented leads to varying levels of anxiety and stress. While some stress is good and motivating, most stress seen today can have an adverse impact on mental and physical health - not to mention the significant strains it places on relationships, personal and professional.

You can plan your day and map your week. Being organized and maintaining a routine reduces stress and so does being flexible in those plans. Identify your priorities going into each week, each day, and you will recognize the level of flexibility necessary for daily success. Gaining the Balance and Balancing the Gain. It's harder than you think, but easier than it seems.