Who wants to go to the trouble of driving yourself into the ground? It’s highly unlikely that anyone will raise their hand in support of such an idea! 😄
We all want to relax and unwind, but the reality is that we need to be working. To work smarter not harder, to be happy and productive.
Here are ten pointers to help you master the simple concept of smart working, so you can work smart not hard.
This isn’t to say that you should start chopping heads like the nobility of old. It means being a visionary leader with innovative ideas for getting things done while also ensuring that the process is enjoyable.
There is a definite knack when it comes to getting things done for you and you need to be able to delegate with a light touch.
Do this right and your productivity will skyrocket!
You must be the ruler once again. Treat yourself properly, but don’t fall into the trap of doing things that aren’t necessary.
Decide what requires your undivided attention and focus on it before moving on to the next high priority.
And whatever you do, DON’T be tempted to multitask; it is a productivity killer. Focus on one task at a time, and don’t be tempted to move on until that task is finished.
Have you ever witnessed someone attempting to construct a backyard deck without a blueprint? It doesn’t go smoothly does it?! 😳
Few people have the ability to complete high-priority activities without thorough planning. Following a well-thought-out plan will assist you in properly managing your time and achieving your objectives.
You know what they say, “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail!” Do not be that person!
Slow typing is inconvenient and reduces the amount of time you have to complete all of your high-priority activities.
If you are unable to type quickly, it is probably a good idea that you take a typing course to learn how to type quicker. Keyboard shortcuts can also be extremely useful, so make sure that you learn them.
Many people use speech to text software, such as the one included in Google Docs or Microsoft Word, to speed up their writing.
It’s a good idea to take breaks. Even if you’ve been working hard in short spurts or for lengthy periods of time, you still need a break.
When you’re stressed and exhausted, you’re more likely to make mistakes in your work.
Short breaks will keep your health in control, and you will be less likely to become ill and miss work.
In today’s environment, most people rely on email to communicate with others, even within their own company.
You’ll get a sense of who is available to take calls and who will never answer. Keep note of those who are responsive, and only email or text those who will either not respond or who have a tendency to become irritated.
You will find yourself completing repetitious tasks throughout the day. Put a stop to it by working smarter rather than harder.
You can programme mini-programs in your computer to handle repetitive activities for you.
Wherever feasible, look for templates. You can just load and fill in the blanks. Templates are available for download for free or for a modest cost and can be used for recurring writing or visual assignments, such as sales pages.
Set and stick to deadlines for everything, not just your top priorities. You will need to work harder if you procrastinate.
You must first work to break free from procrastination, and then you’ll need to work even harder just to catch up.
Set a firm deadline for a task and then work toward finishing it on time. Give yourself a tiny reward before getting back to work and meeting the next deadline.
You must softly but firmly communicate to family, friends, and coworkers that your time is valuable. Distractions must be avoided in order to avoid working harder.
They will steal your focus away from you, and it will be difficult to regain it.
Keep an internal punch clock in your head to keep track of time. When the job is done correctly (and smartly), punch in and out.
You must move it, a bit like that famous song from Disney. Doing all of your work in one place can lead to boredom. Use a combination of your regular work desk and a standing desk next to it.
Switching between the two will help your body stay strong and prevent you from becoming drowsy. If feasible, alternate between those and taking the laptop into an empty conference room for a while.
It will help you stay alert and concentrated if you move around. You have an endless supply of ideas for the same thing at home. There are numerous workstations, comfortable chairs, and other items that you can shift from one location to another.
As you can appreciate, working smarter not harder requires a lot of self discipline, and if that is something you struggle with (don’t we all?) then please check out the featured resource below for a free report which will help you; download, read it and take action 🙂
