Academy

Skills spotlight: Professional presentation, time management/organisation and focus

Oct 28, 2024 | Academy, General

At Jigsaw, the path to mainstream employment starts with Jigsaw Academy. Here, you’ll develop transferable skills for the workplace through personalised discussions and group sessions. Three of these skills are professional presentation, time management/organisation, and focus. Read on for more details on these transferable skills and actionable tips on practising them at home.  

What does presenting professionally mean? 

Professional presentation includes things like how you dress, talk to others, organise your workspace, and act at work. It’s about looking and acting in a way that shows you care about your job and respect the people you work with.

What does this look like in the workplace?

Professional presentation in the workplace means how you appear, behave, and communicate with others to a standard appropriate for a workplace. It’s important because it shows that you are serious about your job, helps you make a good impression, and earns respect from coworkers and managers. When you present yourself well, it helps people trust you and feel confident in your abilities.

transferable skills
How can you practise professional presentation in your daily life at home?

Practising professional presentation at home can help you develop habits and skills that are useful at work. Start with small, manageable tasks that you can turn into routines. Here are three things you can practise at home:

1. Practice dressing appropriately.

Pick out an outfit for the day, even if you stay home. Practice selecting appropriate clothes for different situations, like business meetings or casual work environments. Think about the whole outfit, from your shoes up to your head. Tip: Wearing a hat is often not appropriate at work!

2. Develop good hygiene and grooming habits.

Create a daily routine that includes brushing your teeth, washing your face, and keeping your hair tidy. If necessary, this could include wearing deodorant or shaving.

3. Practise polite and professional communication.

Have conversations with family members or friends where you practise speaking slowly, making eye contact (if comfortable), and using polite phrases like “please” and “thank you.” If you struggle with particular communication skills, practise one step at a time. For example, try repeating what someone says to show you are listening.

 

What is time management and organisation?

Time management is planning and controlling how much time to spend on specific activities to maximise efficiency and productivity. Organisation involves systematically arranging resources and tasks to enhance focus and streamline workflow, ensuring you effectively meet your goals.

It’s about ensuring you finish things on time and use your time wisely.

What does this look like in the workplace?

Time management and organisation are essential because they help you stay on top of your tasks, meet deadlines, and reduce stress. In a work setting, managing your time well and staying organised shows that you are responsible, reliable, and capable of handling your job. They also help you work more efficiently, which can lead to better performance and success.

How can you practise time management and organisation in your daily life at home?

You can practise these skills at home with simple, structured activities. Start with small tasks and gradually introduce more complex routines to help build confidence. Here are three things you can practise at home.

1. Break big tasks into small steps.

Break a large task, like cleaning the house, into smaller steps by dividing it by tasks or rooms. This approach makes the task feel less overwhelming and more manageable. Create a to-do list and check off each item as you complete it.

2. Set timers for tasks.

Use a timer or clock to manage your time on each task.

3. Practice prioritising tasks.

Decide which tasks are most important and focus on those first. You could list chores or activities and label them as “urgent” or “not urgent.” 

 

What does focus mean?

Focus means concentrating on one thing at a time without getting distracted by other things around you. For example, imagine you are working at Jigsaw and scanning some files. It would help to stay focused on them until you are finished instead of thinking about other things or doing something else.

What does this look like in the workplace?

Focus in the workplace means paying attention to your task without getting distracted. It’s important because it helps you complete your work accurately and on time. If you stay focused, you can avoid mistakes and be more productive. For some people, maintaining focus can sometimes be challenging due to sensory sensitivities or difficulty managing distractions. Practising focus can make tasks easier to complete and reduce stress in a work environment.

How can you practise focus in your daily life at home?

There are many ways to practise your ability to focus at home. These include breaking down tasks, using visual or sensory tools, and creating an environment that reduces distractions.

1. Create a distraction-free space.

Set up a quiet, organised area for work. Remove distractions like your phone, noisy toys, or clutter. You can now use this space to practise focused activities like reading, drawing, or completing a simple task.

2. Practice mindfulness or breathing exercises.

Start with simple breathing exercises, focusing on taking slow, deep breaths for a few minutes. Doing this can help you centre your attention and improve your ability to focus on tasks.

3. Incorporate short, focused activities.

Pick activities that interest you and stay focused on these for a set time. These activities help build attention span and concentration in fun ways. Remember, practising these skills at home helps to prepare you for the workplace.  Check back next month for more ways to practise our Academy curriculum at home!

About Jigsaw

Jigsaw is a social enterprise that provides an innovative pathway to mainstream employment for people with disability. By embedding a comprehensive skill-based training program within our commercial document and data management business, Jigsaw enables people with disability to achieve their employment goals at their own pace. Jigsaw’s holistic approach starts from the very basics of core work skills and supports trainees all the way through to transition to open employment with ongoing support and coaching once they have transitioned. Jigsaw is located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra.