4 Secrets to Work Smarter, Not Harder

“Work smarter, not harder.”

It’s a saying you’ve probably heard before, work smarter, not harder. It’s a great philosophy to follow in today’s work-and-never-stop world, but how many of us are really taking this saying to heart and employing it for a less stressful, more productive work experience?

Working smarter isn’t an exact science. However, there are plenty of little things you can do throughout your day to help that will add up to getting more done in a way that won’t leave you feeling burned out.

We’ve put together our tips for getting more out of your day without taking more out of you below.

Working Smarter, Not Harder

Have a Plan: Knowing what you’re setting out to accomplish will keep you focused. As we all know, it’s easy to get distracted throughout the course of the day, and we’ve all had those days when we get so sidetracked that we realize that nothing we really needed to do got done. Make a list of your daily tasks (and prioritize them) and check them off when you’re done. Not only will you have a better chance of staying focused, but you’ll also have a nice visual reminder of all you’ve accomplished in a day! Plus, if you’re like us, the act of checking things off your list will actually help to reduce your stress levels.
Don’t Be Afraid to Delegate: You’re only one person, which means you can only get so much one. Remember that there’s nothing wrong with delegating a task, be it to an assistant at work or hiring help to get things done around the house. Asking for help with smaller tasks in order to make time to complete the bigger ones is a great way to accomplish your goals. Your time is valuable, be sure to treat it as such.
Take Care of Yourself: In order to be able to work as productively as possible, your mind and body need to be in tiptop shape. This means exercising, knowing when to take breaks while working and getting enough rest in order to recharge. It’s easy to get so caught up in doing as much possible that you neglect taking care of yourself. Even just taking a few moments for you in the morning, can make all the difference throughout the rest of the day.
Learn the Value of the Word “No”: Saying no means not taking on tasks that distract you from the important ones. Oftentimes there’s a sense of self-imposed guilt that comes along with telling people no, but there’s nothing wrong with staying focused on what you have to accomplish and not adding unnecessary distractions to your schedule. There’s nothing wrong with helping if you have time, but don’t stress yourself out.

Share your “work smarter, not harder” tips with us – we’d love to hear them!