How to Work Smarter, Not Harder

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“Work smarter, not harder.” It’s easier said than done. We all want more time, and the truth is, a lot of our time is wasted on unproductive tasks. But, if we’re able to cut out all the noise, we can get a lot done in a lot less time.

Here are 7 ways to work smarter, not harder.

  1. Work in Blocks

I’ve recently started working in blocks and it makes a huge difference – I always end up getting so much done! Instead of working on one project for the full day (which can get boring and stressful), I switch things up every half an hour or hour.

This keeps your mind fresh and keeps you engaged with the task at hand. Trying to complete an entire project or task for hours on end makes you less productive, and ultimately, you’ll be forcing yourself to work rather than actually wanting to do the work.

  1. Take Care of Yourself

If you’re feeling tired, sluggish and unfocused, it’s likely because of the lifestyle you’re living. How you take care of yourself outside of work has a huge impact on your productivity at work.

If you’re not eating well, exercising or getting a proper sleep at night, chances are it’s going to take you a lot more time to get your work done. Focus your time outside of work on things that create energy rather than drain your energy.

  1. Focus on Your Strengths

We all have things we’re really good at, and things we’re not so good at. Instead of trying to take on tasks that you know will slow you down, focus on your strengths. Delegate the other tasks and spend more of your time on what you’re good at. This way you won’t be wasting your time or energy.

  1. Get Talking

Everyone is so obsessed with emails these days, when a lot of time could be saved by just picking up the phone to call someone. Imagine how much back and forth effort and time you’d have if you didn’t have to constantly check and reply to emails. Pick up the phone, hold virtual meetings, and get together over coffee. In a half-hour meeting, you can solve what could take days over email.

  1. Prepare the Night Before

Planning out your day the night before will save you so much time. Instead of sitting down and figuring out what you’re going to do that day, take some time the night before to prepare your schedule for the following day. You’ll know which task you’re tackling first, and wake up ready to take it on in the morning.

  1. Create Habits

Habits are things we don’t even have to think about. Like brushing your teeth, they become part of your day you don’t schedule time for, you just do them automatically. If you can create productive habits to do every day, you’ll end up working smarter, not harder.

It takes time to form a habit, and timing is different for everyone, but you have to commit to the habit every day without taking a break. Eventually it becomes a natural part of your routine.

  1. Use Your Down Time Wisely

We all have down time during the day, whether it’s on our commute, in the waiting room at a doctor’s office, or in line for coffee. Use this time to your advantage. Make calls, read the news, listen to a podcast or Facebook Live on an important topic, plan out your next day, do whatever task you can so the time doesn’t go to waste.

We’re all hard workers, but if you’re not a smart worker then you’re just wasting time.

Written by Kate Bialowas (the Blog Goddess of Impetus) and added to by me (I just can’t leave anything alone, can I???) ?