What Comes First?
You have a lot to do. What should you do first?
Review and prioritize your tasks, because not every task has the same urgency or deadline.
Is checking your email every two minutes a good use of time?
No, because constantly stopping to check email can break your focus and slow down your work.
You finished the work but forgot to close the task. Is it really finished?
No, because leaving the task open makes it look like the work still needs to be completed.
Is taking a short break during a busy day a bad thing?
No, because a short break can help you reset, refocus, and come back more productive.
You finish a call. What should you do before you forget what happened?
Write your notes, because documenting right away helps keep the information accurate.
One task is due tomorrow and one is due next week. Which comes first?
The one due tomorrow, because the deadline is closer.
What does it mean to group similar tasks together?
Batching, because doing similar tasks together can help you work faster and stay focused.
If you need to follow up later, what should you create?
A follow-up task, because it gives you a reminder and helps make sure the next step is not missed.
Should you regularly skip lunch just to get more work done?
No, because working without a break can lead to fatigue, mistakes, and less productivity later in the day.
You have an important deadline and an easy task. Which should you work on first?
The important deadline, because missing a deadline can have a bigger impact than delaying an easy task.
A Veteran has an urgent problem. Should you ignore it and keep doing routine work?
No, because urgent issues may need immediate attention and can have a bigger impact.
When should you write your notes from a Veteran call?
As soon as possible after the call, because the information is still fresh and you are less likely to forget important details.
Should a follow-up task tell you what needs to happen next?
Yes, because a clear task saves time and prevents you from having to figure it out again later.
True or False: Taking breaks can help you focus better.
True, because your brain needs time to reset after focusing for long periods.
You finish today’s work early. Can you start tomorrow’s work?
Yes, because working ahead can reduce stress and give you more room for unexpected issues tomorrow.
What matters more: doing easy tasks first or important tasks first?
Important tasks first, because completing easy tasks does not help if a critical deadline is missed.
Before doing work, should you check if someone already completed it?
Yes, because checking first can prevent duplicate work and save time.
A Veteran will not be ready for about 45 days. What status may be used?
On Hold, because the case cannot move forward right now but may be ready within 30–59 days.
What is better: working nonstop until you are exhausted or planning your work and taking breaks?
Planning your work and taking breaks, because it helps you stay productive without burning yourself out.
You realize you may miss a deadline. Should you wait until the deadline passes to tell someone?
No, because communicating early gives leadership or your team time to help before the deadline is missed.
Name one thing that can make a task a high priority.
A deadline, urgency, or Veteran need, because these can affect the Veteran or the case if they are not handled on time.
What saves more time: being organized or constantly searching for information?
Being organized, because you spend less time trying to find what you need.
A Veteran may need more than 60 days. What status may be used?
Extended Development, because the case needs a longer period before the Veteran can provide what is needed to move forward.
What is one thing you can do at the end of the day to help leave work at work?
Finish your notes, review tomorrow’s priorities, and log off, because having a stopping routine helps you mentally separate work time from personal time.
Your day suddenly gets busy. What should you do?
Reprioritize your tasks, because your priorities may need to change when new urgent work comes in.