Work Wisely & Be Smart: Say Goodbye to Burnout!

Most of us try to accomplish as much as possible in the time available. How would you feel if you could achieve as much as you do now in one, in just a few hours? By concentrating and minimising distractions, you can.

Let’s have a look at some effective tips that will help you work smarter, not harder.

Delegation

Mastering the art of delegation is an essential skill. But if you're a control freak, perfectionist or micromanager, it can be difficult. The key is understanding that the ability to delegate will make you more productive. CEOs who delegate more can experience lower levels of decision fatigue, fewer instances of burnout and generate more revenue than those with low delegation skills.

The art of delegation is mastered when you start to redefine what your number one goal is and focus on that then consider how you communicate the task to delegate for instance don't bark orders, instead ask for their help and start by explaining why you think they would benefit from helping you. With high levels of support when its needed, you effectively promote a culture of high challenge too.

Focus on high-impact tasks

With a long to-do list, you should focus on what is important and what is urgent, see above and focus on tasks that will have the greatest long-term impact. Work smarter by concentrating on the things that are most critical to your job performance and the company’s success.

Know when to Stop Working

You know the signs to stop working, it's essential to know when to shut down your computer for the day—you are finding it difficult to focus, and you keep rereading the same sentence over and over. It might be taking you an age to write a simple email. As tempting as it might be to burn the midnight oil, if you stop and pick up the work on the next day, you'll accomplish more in the long run.

We operate in 90 to 120-minute cycles called “basic rest-activity cycles.” Science has proven that our brain can last for about 90 minutes at optimal levels before losing steam, after which it needs a break. Riding that cyclical wave can help our brains operate at peak efficiency. By working in 90 to 120-minute blocks followed by a 20-30 minute break, you'll be able to concentrate longer, avoid distractions, and maintain higher energy levels.

Schedule your day

Instead of answering every email as it comes in (which is reactive), schedule blocks of time throughout the day to check and respond to email, which is more proactive.

Another idea is to set meetings back-to-back for a period in the day rather than spread them out all day long. Block time on your calendar for activities that require thought and concentration like research, writing or brainstorming. The logic behind this is that it takes time for you to get into a rhythm. If you constantly start and stop that process, you’re wasting time catching up where you left off.

The time of day you work on certain types of tasks impacts your productivity. But it isn't a one-size-fits-all approach because each person has a different internal clock. Everyone experiences three productivity phases over the course of a day: peak, trough and rebound. During the hours leading up to and at our peak (usually around midday), we're the most focused. That makes it a perfect time for analytical tasks. Conversely, when we're at our lowest point (the trough), it's a good time to focus on creative tasks.

To Do Lists

Have a realistic and achievable to-do list will make you more productive, you'll be setting yourself up for failure if the list is too long and in reality, unachievable. A smaller to-do list is less intimidating. Begin with your most important tasks and limit the list to three to five items. That way, you will probably get more done, but you will be sure to accomplish those top three.

When you don't finish a task, mental tension is created, which keeps it top of mind, and resulting in lack of focus on the job you are doing. The only thing that will ease this tension is to complete the task. Starting a project is usually the hardest part. If you can start focusing on a project for a few minutes, the brain's desire to complete it should then take over.

The next time you feel like putting off a task, just take that first step, and the rest will follow. I put a dot on the top right hand side of the paperwork every time I pick it up and put it back down again. This is psychologically motivating once you see a few dots.

Another way to work smarter is to minimise distractions. Make sure to turn off notifications on your mobile phone and put it in your desk draw, out of sight.

Decluttering is a great method to de-stress, not only will decluttering your office help you work smarter, but it is also good for your health. There is a direct link between the stress hormone cortisol and clutter. So you should organise your office by getting rid of paper, trash, and any other unnecessary items. Try organising documents into folders on your computer and delete any unneeded files. Finally, go through your inbox and archive emails to focus on the most critical messages.

We all want to manage our time. But by learning how to manage your energy, in addition to your time, your productivity will skyrocket.

Stress or Burnout - recognise the signs and symptoms