The working day is hard. Fact. From the minute we enter the office until the minute we leave we juggle various task and sometimes it can be hard to keep up with everything we’re expected to do.
Here’s a sentence that will change everything for you: getting on top of your working day isn’t about working harder. Oh no. It isn’t about exhausting yourself or skipping your lunch break so you can tackle another issue. It’s all about working smarter.
“Working smarter” is a concept that is currently sweeping through offices in the States and we reckon it won’t be long until the craze reaches our own shores.
Simply put, working smarter involves becoming as productive as you can in the time that you’re given so work doesn’t cross over into your personal life. It’s a concept that promotes leaving work in the office and enjoying your life outside the boardroom.
So how can you implement the concept of “working smarter” into your own professional life? Here are 8 ways that you can get started immediately…
Begin your day with a to do list
1. Prioritise: At the start of your day spend five minutes assessing everything that needs to get done. Before you dive straight into a task see if there’s anything more urgent that you could get done first. Prioritising at the start of your day will save you time in the long run because you won’t pause between tasks to try and figure out what to work on next.
2. Plan: Whether you type it up on your computer, write it down or compose it in your head, make a plan before you begin working on a project or a task. Plan how you’re going to get it done and then follow your plan step-by-step until the process is completed. This will keep you on track, boost your productivity levels and save valuable time.
3. Ask for help when you need it: We’re conditioned to try and solve problems by ourselves but if something is really stumping you, you’re doing nothing except wasting time. Realise that sometimes, asking for help can actually help you to fix whatever is wrong. Never be afraid to ask for help if you’re struggling and in need of it.
4. Learn how to say no: Be realistic about what you’re able to accomplish in a single day. If you know that you can only get through X amount of tasks every day then don’t feel guilty about saying no to a co-worker who is trying to pile even more work onto you. It’s always better to say no rather than rushing through or struggling with a task.
Learn to let go of perfectionist tendencies
5. Let go of perfectionism: It’s great to be a perfectionist however sometimes it can hinder you rather than help you. If your perfectionism is getting in the way of you completing tasks, let go of it. Stop obsessing over the minute details – they usually take care of themselves.
6. Embrace flexibility: Even the most meticulously planned day will never go according to plan, so learn how to be flexible with your work. Again, learn how to prioritise your work effectively and flexibility will come naturally.
7. Take regular breaks: It sounds counter-intuitive, but taking breaks can actually make you even more productive. Your brain needs time to rest up between tasks, so allow yourself to have a five minute break when you complete one task. This will help you to stay focussed.
8. Review your work: Regularly review the work that you’ve done throughout the day and the tasks that you have to complete before the end of the day. Continually reference your priority list – this will help you to stay on track and it can be encouraging to see how many tasks you’ve already crossed off the list.
