As an EA to senior management, how do you plan or prioritise your day to day work to impress your employer, and efficiently manage your workload?

No doubt, It is really a challenging role. The most important thing is to organise the normal day to day work in order.

Keep smiling and be positive, offer support when you are free to help other colleagues. Learn other task and hone your skills of different dept/areas. Maintain discipline and harmonious working environment.

Being small company, you could arrange to collect the birthdates of employees and organise the small get togather to celebrate employees birthdays. 

Yes, It is a very challenging job, But be quit give priority to all direct linked jobs to the BOSS, then also to the colleagues with open heart and smiley face.

I have a several "regular" duties I do in same time all the time (like breastfeed - MUST not skip it) e.g. , follow up of contracts to be signed I do every morning after office coffee, workers in/out report I always do at15.30, after that I am managing vehicle schedule for next day, and few other duties during my working hours also have fixed time.  In between I always have time to make my priorities for various duties or to help other employees, or to follow up certain things that require more time, etc.

Before you end a day, check out the things you have accomplished from the past and see where you got more nods from your employer. Fill your next day first hour rapport to that, and the next hour, and the next...till voila! you just saw the day is over and you are still there wanting to do more extra work! And yes, employer will see you so energetic and loving it at work, and employer will be more than satisfied to (give you a little more than the over worked load, ah hahaha!) praise you for a job well done. Be patient in doing so cause the first few days might seem usual work days to your employer, until they really turn their heads, and stand closer to you than the last days they graced your cubicle, or your office, or your space, how big the space you work in maybe. 

Then again, test the waters of every day, because some days are diamond, and some days are stone for people (sounds like John Denver, uh huh?). Meaning, while we, the employees, know our employer's daily "oh-hi-there-sweetie-how-are-you-have-a-nice-day-ahead!" attitude towards the employees, and we comfortably   work our day throughout to that scenario, there are times we literally see there is a storm ahead--through their ashen faces. With that, let us go back to those times when we were able to pacify the storms, have a quick two minute mind replay of how things may eventually work out if you take the plunge... and just do the possible-empathize with them, professionaly. The how depends on how far we know the character of our employer and how best we see we can handle the situation. Pass a work when it's not yet due. Bring coffee during 15-minute tea breaks (coffee on tea, a hahaha!), or walk with them on the way to lunch...or so. Few little good things will count much to some employers, and rewards come when you least expect them. 

Above all, do your work before time, on time, before it's due, and   work happily happy as you want life to be.

cheers!

Basically, the challenges arise from the lack of proper planning and the lack of management of inputs and processes. Well, with proper planning, the amount of challenges can be increased, but it cannot be eliminated forever, that's why I am talking about implementation methods. Dealing with procedural risks

Follow's these strategy to help you prioritize and manage your day-to-day work:

1. Start with Clear Objectives:

• Understand your employer's goals, priorities, and expectations. Align your work with their vision.
• Clearly define your own goals for the day, week, and month. This will provide you with a sense of purpose and direction.

2. Daily Planning:

• Begin your day by reviewing your to-do list or task management tool.
• Identify the most critical tasks that align with your employer's priorities and your own goals.

3. Prioritize Tasks:

• Use the Eisenhower Matrix or other prioritization methods to categorize tasks into four categories: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important.
• Focus on tasks that fall under the "urgent and important" category.

4. Time Blocking:

• Allocate specific blocks of time for different tasks or types of work. This helps you stay focused and prevents multitasking.
• Reserve time for tasks that require high concentration and others that can be done during less focused periods.

5. Set Realistic Expectations:

• Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day. Overloading your schedule can lead to stress and reduced quality of work.
• Communicate with your employer about your workload and deadlines to ensure mutual understanding.

6. Delegate and Collaborate:

• Delegate tasks that can be handled by others, and collaborate with colleagues to streamline processes.
• If you have the authority, delegate tasks to junior team members when appropriate.

7. Use Technology Tools:

• Utilize productivity tools such as calendars, task management apps, and email filters to stay organized.
• Schedule reminders and notifications for important deadlines.

8. Flexibility and Adaptability:

• Be prepared to adapt to changes in priorities and unexpected tasks.
• Cultivate a flexible mindset that allows you to adjust your plans without becoming overwhelmed.

9. Effective Communication:

• Maintain open communication with your employer to update them on your progress, seek clarifications, and report challenges.
• Use concise and clear communication in all your interactions.

10. Continuous Improvement: - Regularly evaluate your daily routines and processes to identify       areas for improvement. - Seek feedback from your employer on how you can enhance your support.

11. Self-Care: - Take short breaks throughout the day to recharge and prevent burnout. - Prioritize your well-being to ensure you're consistently performing at your best.

By planning, prioritizing, and executing your tasks with efficiency and dedication, you'll not only manage your workload effectively but also leave a positive impression on your employer as a capable and proactive Executive Assistant.

Organise the normal day to day work in order (Work Plan).

Managing your time, being proactive.

Offer support when you are free to help other colleagues.

By effectively managing your time, staying organized, and delivering consistent results, you'll impress your employer and contribute to a smoother workflow.

Discipline , clear communication, rapid actions are the key to over come challenges. 

Think ahead of time and analse. 

Effective time management and organization are key to impressing your employer and efficiently managing your workload. My strategy would be. 

"Prioritize tasks aligned with company goals, create a structured daily plan, delegate when possible, communicate effectively with superiors, remain adaptable to changes, maintain an organized workspace, prepare in advance for meetings, practice self-care, and regularly review and refine the approach for optimal results."