When it comes to work, most of us strive to get it done in less time.
Wouldn’t it be better to get our work done in a few hours than doing it all day?
By concentrating and minimizing distractions, you can work to gain more knowledge.
Here are 6 effective tips that can help you work smarter, not harder.
- Delegate more
Mastering the art of delegation is an important skill. But if you’re a controlling person, a perfectionist, or a micro-manager, that can be tricky.
The key is to understand that the ability to delegate will make you more productive.
One study even showed that CEOs who delegate experienced lower levels of decision burnout, and earned 33 percent more income than those with low delegation skills.
- Focus on Impactful Tasks
Chances are, you have a long-running to-do list.
Instead of trying to get everything done or hit inbox zero, focus on the tasks that will have the greatest long-term impact.
Work smarter by concentrating on what matters most to your performance and company success.
- Knowing When to Stop
While it may seem counterintuitive, it’s important to know when to shut down your computer.
You can definitely tell when it’s hard to think, and keep rereading the same sentence over and over again.
Or maybe you’re stuck, and it takes you half an hour to write a simple email.
While it may seem important to do something in the middle of the night, you will achieve more effectiveness at work by knowing when to rest.
- Reduce To-Do List
Starting the day with an unrealistically large to-do list will not only make you unproductive, but you’ll also feel like you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Smaller to-do lists are less daunting and easier to accomplish.
Start with your most important tasks, and limit the list to three to five items. That way, you’ll probably get more done, but you’ll definitely complete all three tasks.
- Don’t wait for motivation
One of the simplest methods for working smarter is explained by a phenomenon called the Zeigarnik Effect.
The Zeigarnik effect states that not completing a task creates mental tension, which keeps it memorable. The only thing that will relieve this tension is to complete the task.
Starting a project is usually the hardest part.
If you can start to focus on a project for a few minutes, the desire in your mind to complete it will arise. So if you feel like putting off a task, just take that first step, and the rest will follow.
- Manage Surrounding Environment
Another way to work smarter is to minimize distractions. Make sure not to always hold your phone.
One study found that carrying your phone with you, even if you’re not using it, can make your performance 20 percent worse than if you weren’t looking.
You can also use apps like Rescuetime, StayFocusd, or Freedom to block annoying websites or the internet altogether.