Productivity Tips for Working Smarter Not Harder

Productivity Tips for Working Smarter Not Harder Productivity Tips for Working Smarter Not Harder The days when almost everyone worked 9-to-5 schedules are over. Many employers have the expectation that you’ll be connected- and available- even when you’re not in the office. Workloads are heavier, and demands for productivity are higher. Employees are required to work smarter and more efficiently than ever to achieve all this. It can result in burnout for many, but it becomes an opportunity for others to innovate and stand out from the crowd. You can lower your stress level and improve your work performance if you adopt the right combination of time-management practices. Set Progress Goals Youll seldom achieve absolute perfection, and its almost always unnecessary anyway. Perfectionism can lead to micromanaging, poor relationships with coworkers, procrastination, low productivity, depression, stress, and anxiety. The most successful people are those who  are satisfied when a jobs been completed with the best possible effort. They save their need for perfection for truly important things. Regularly forcing yourself to acknowledge any progress, no matter how small, will help you feel more positive and energetic. Youll always be more productive if you focus on progress over perfection. Use Batching Constantly checking and answering your email, voicemail, and other messages only interrupts your workday and your train of thought. It can hamper productivity, especially in jobs that require creative, innovative, or strategic thinking. Learn to respond to incoming messages in batches, and consider checking them just two  or  three times a day- unless, of course, keeping on top of them is integral to your job. Even then, try to schedule times to check in. Stay clear otherwise. Make use of the Do, Delegate, Delete, or File principle for dealing with emails, letters, bills, text messages, voice messages, and other requests. Integrate Technology You Already Know... Youre  probably familiar with a number of computer programs and mobile apps that can cut the time of accomplishing certain tasks in half. Take a moment to see how some of these programs or tools can speed up your professional work or make it better. Much of this software is often underutilized. Getting used to making technology a part of your workday might feel clunky at first, particularly if youre old school, but your productivity should be much higher when you get used it. ...And Learn New Technology Search for top productivity software applications and invest a little time on your own to learn them. Many of these programs offer tutorials for free or at  low cost. Some companies will pay for you to get certified in certain software programs. Numerous digital tools can help you organize a wide array of customer and product details, allowing for quick and easy recall. Also consider adopting a personal scheduling program that lets keep and organize calendars, to-do lists, work plans, and  contact  directories. Get Help From Your Team You dont have to do it all yourself. Other people are capable of handling some of the tasks you generally reserve for yourself, particularly if you work on a team. Taking some extra time to discuss with others what needs to be done might  reveal that some of your responsibilities fall under a different job description. Consider which duties you could be sharing with others, then slowly start parceling some of them out. It will allow you to focus on high-priority issues while giving your coworkers a chance to grow and shine. Dont Be Afraid to Say “No” Learn to decline politely but firmly whenever possible if someone asks you to do something that isnt your priority. Remind yourself that saying no to one thing gives you the freedom to say yes to something else thats more important and worthy of your time and skills. Youre far more likely to let someone down by not finishing everything on your plate than by declining to take on additional tasks. Take a Break Even the busiest people need to clear their minds and stretch their legs now and then. Take a five- to 10-minute breather once in a while. Use that time to take a brisk walk outside or even around the office. Do some stretching exercises, or walk up and down the stairs a few times. Drink water. Eat a healthy snack. Stepping away from your work briefly will relax your body and rejuvenate your mind. You might even find that youre less frazzled when you return home after hours. Ask for Help Dont suffer in silence if youre overwhelmed and its causing you undue stress. Be transparent with your peers and supervisors, at least as much as possible. Untenable work situations can usually be alleviated if you communicate clearly about whats going on. The sooner you can inform your team members, the better. You should be able to foresee workload issues if youve been at your job for a while. Nothing is worse than realizing you won’t make it just before a huge deadline. The Bottom Line Use technology to boost your productivity: Take advantage of productivity-boosting programs and apps.Ask for help: Dont be afraid to ask if you need assistance with a project or help managing workplace stress.Take a break: A break of even a few minutes can help you refocus and get back on track when youre feeling overwhelmed.Talk with a professional counselor: Talk with a professional or therapist if achieving a  balanced life continues to be a challenge for you or if  youre experiencing chronic workplace stress. If your employer has an employee assistance program (EAP), check to see how the program might help.