LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Do you also want to work fewer hours and still get more done? Good news: with these tips and tools you will succeed.
Quality instead of quantity
To successfully complete a task or project, you sometimes need the necessary time. However, working harder or longer is not always the right way to reach that end goal. Often the profit you make with this is not proportional to the extra overtime you perform for this. Due to emerging fatigue, you are less and less able to focus and you are less productive than you would like. Working smarter and more efficiently, on the other hand, is the key to success!
6 Golden Tips
1. Make a weekly schedule
Do not stick to a tight, crammed daily schedule , but at the end of the week make a feasible weekly schedule for the coming week. This provides peace of mind and overview and gives you some margin in case unpredictable factors cause frustration.
2. Morning has gold in the mouth
Start at the beginning of the day and use those morning hours as efficiently as possible. Do not waste time drawing up a daily schedule, it is best to do this the day before. So you can fly in immediately after breakfast and get a mountain of work done in a relatively short time.
3. Protect your calendar
Don’t let anyone plan your schedule without your explicit permission. Stay in control of your precious time and set your calendar to accept or decline meetings or appointments. Block time blocks or certain days of the week to be able to work undisturbed without distraction.
4. Go with the workflow
Make sure you have a good, balanced work schedule that suits your way of working. Alternate focused work with, for example, answering emails or calling around. Take an occasional break to recharge and, if possible, step outside for a breath of fresh air and new insights.
5. Digitise your tasks
A fluorescent yellow post-it may add some colour to your desk, but it is by no means efficient. By managing your tasks digitally, you get a better overview of your planning. An additional advantage: you can no longer lose fluorescent yellow post-its in the organised chaos at your workplace.
6. Work a little slower every now and then
It may sound contradictory, but slow working does improve your concentration, makes you alert and keeps your focus on the matter. By occasionally lowering the work pace, you take a moment to reflect on what you are actually doing. It also makes you aware of the steps you are taking and can make you adapt your approach if necessary.
