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15 tips to work smarter, not harder blocking, which involves dividing your day into
A coach can be a great asset to work with you smaller blocks of time.
to discover what strategies work best to help That way, you’ll know when you have time to
you meet your goals, eliminate unnecessary answer emails or organize yourself. When you
tasks, and optimize your workflow. In the receive an email, you can know it’ll be handled
meantime, we’ve compiled these 15 tips on later in the day. This will limit interruptions
working smarter for you to try. during your important tasks, and you’ll find a
better rhythm in your structured workflow.
1. Say goodbye to multitasking
Having too much on the go can make it seem 3. Take breaks
like you’re accomplishing a lot, but it also Even if you’re feeling overwhelmed with
spreads you too thin. Your cerebral cortex everything on your to-do list, it’s still important
only pays attention to one thing at a time. to take breaks. Your attention span wears out
Multitasking strains your cortex as it tries to after focusing for too long, so make sure you
focus your energy and attention on too many schedule downtime in your workday. During
different things. your breaks, make sure you get up to stretch,
Abruptly switches tasks away from the drink water, and have a snack.
quality of your work because you’re too busy This type of scheduling requires good time
changing to focus on new things. You won’t as management skills, too. Setting time limits on
be effective if you can’t devote enough focus how long you’ll work on a specific task and
and energy to each task. pre-schedule breaks can feel stressful, but
When you find yourself jumping from one task these boundaries will benefit your productivity.
to another, try slowing down with some deep Experiment with different breaking techniques
breathing. Deliberate decision-making will allow until you find what works for you, like the
you to focus on one task and resist the urge Pomodoro technique — 25 minutes of work
to bounce to another mid-stream. This takes followed by a five-minute break. Regardless
practice. Understand that you’ll work more of how long you pause, you’re doing your
efficiently when you focus on one task at a performance and well-being a favor.
time, even if it feels like you’ll accomplish more.
4. Block your calendar
2. Complete tasks in batches Carving out time in your day to dedicate
Tackling your tasks in batches can keep your to work keeps you organized and limits
momentum rolling. This way, you’ll be focused distractions. Be mindful of how you schedule
on one task at a time. your day and any possible distractions that
Be proactive and schedule parts of your day could come your way.
for repetitive tasks. For example, answer all Are you a morning worker, but a daily meeting
your emails during the scheduled time of day interrupts your flow? Do your coworkers come
instead of whenever they arrive in your inbox. to you with questions while you’re in the
A strategy to use to help you with this is time middle of something? Use one of the many
18 July 2024
