5 Secrets to Getting More Done By Working Less

business career mindset Feb 15, 2019
Professional black woman working

You've heard the term "work smarter, not harder," right? Well, what if you could actually make that happen?

The Pareto Principle has already taught us that roughly 80% of our results come from just 20% of our work. So using this rule, the first thing you can do is to cut time from areas of your life that aren't producing. Time wasters like getting lost on YouTube or Facebook, saying yes to activities that don't contribute value, or tasks that are outside of your zone of genius are good places to start.

I know you're working hard to get ahead in your career or business, putting in long, arduous hours to achieve the success you desire. But working long hours is not the path unless, of course, you're on the way to burnout, exhaustion, and stress.

Stanford conducted a study in 2014 on the productivity of working hours and found that productivity declines dramatically when you work beyond 50 hours. In effect, that means you're wasting valuable time when you're overworking yourself, clocking in 70-80 hours of work a week. 

I know it seems like there aren't enough hours in the day, but it's essential to differentiate between busy work and productivity. While delegation and outsourcing may not always be an option (I believe it's something to work toward), there are ways to get more done in less time and with less effort.

Here are five secrets you can start right now.

1. Stop

One great way to get more done in less time is to stop. That's right, stop! If you're over-worked and stressed out, you won't get nearly as much done, and you're more prone to silly mistakes and illness. Sometimes you need to take a break and completely separate yourself from work. You'll find that taking a break is just what you need the most – even if it seems to be the opposite of what you should be doing. The best part: once you come back to the task, you'll feel refreshed and more creative!

2. Prioritize

You need to make an organized and frequently updated list of priorities. When you prioritize outstanding tasks, you'll suddenly find that all of the work on your plate really is manageable. You can prioritize using letters or numbers to see what needs to be done and when it needs to be done.

3. Batch

The next thing you need to do is batch items together, meaning combine tasks that can be done simultaneously. For example, plan out your errands so they can all be done in one trip instead of multiple trips throughout the day or week. When it comes to working, you can group similar tasks that require the same tools or resources to be done more efficiently. Since you have already organized your priorities, you'll be more aware of what needs to get done, so you'll be able to combine similar tasks better.

4. Ask

You can only do so much alone, so ask for help! You will accomplish much more with less time and effort when you work with other talented people. You may be able to ask a colleague for help or even hire your own personal or virtual assistant. This will help you re-grain your time and save your energy for more critical tasks within your genius zone. Depending on the time, obligation, and tasks, there not as expensive as you think!  

5. Mindset 

Affirmations are another tool that can help you get more done with less work. These simple statements can help you maximize your time by focusing on the positive. For example, when your work seems overwhelming, you can say something such as, "Each simple, completed task propels me towards success." Repeating these affirmations will give you a positive state of mind that just maybe the extra push you need to get more done with less work and in less time.

Summary

Which tip resonates with you? Give one, two, or more a try, and let me know how they work out for you! Here's to doing more...less.

 

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