5 ways to work smarter not harder

The key to greater productivity and better results is to work smarter, not harder. That means having a good routine to prioritise your most important tasks. This will help you to finish your day feeling satisfied and not overwhelmed or overworked. Sound appealing? Well, we've got you covered. Here's five ways you can improve your routine and work smarter to reach your goals.

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1. Manage your time well

Time is precious, especially when you have lots to do. Unfortunately, none of us are gifted with the power to stop time, but we can choose how we use it. So, be reasonable about how long each task will take and tackle them one at a time. Multitasking only slows you down. Whilst completing tasks, ensure that there are no distractions stealing your time or attention away. So yes, that means put your phone aside. Social media can wait, sometimes the tasks cannot.

2. Learn how to prioritise

Procrastination is the enemy of productivity. It may be appealing to keep putting off that one dreaded task, but leaving it will only make your life harder. Be smart, prioritise your tasks and stick to them. Your future self will love you for it. It's good to have all your tasks written down. So, create a list! A list will help you visualise what you need to do. Plus, the satisfaction of ticking off those tasks feels great.

3. Take breaks

Taking a break is not a waste of time! Without them, you can become slow and tiresome. So, if you begin to feel less productive and easily distracted, that’s a hint to stop for a bit. Give yourself time to regather your energy before continuing work. Set yourself goals and reward yourself with breaks.

4. Prep for the next day

Not all tasks can be ticked off by the end of the day. So, finish your day off right by prepping for the next day. This will help you to pick up from where you left off, instead of wasting time trying to remember what you wanted to do next. So, if you haven't finished a task, perhaps leave yourself a note or set a reminder to refer back to.

5. Ask for help

So much time can be wasted trying to figure out things that can be solved by asking someone else. Asking these questions can come easier to some than others, but the best of us ask questions. It's how you develop and learn! You'll thank yourself when you have received the help and are no longer sat pondering or wasting time.

So, that's five ways you can adapt your work ethic to benefit your productivity. It’s as easy as that! If you follow these tips, let us know how you get on. Or if you have any tips of your own, we'd love to hear them! Leave a comment or share them and tag us on social media.