5 Ways to Work Smarter Not Harder

It is so easy to get lost in the endless cycle of working longer and longer hours. It’s a slippery slope, but you’re not planning to do it forever, right?! Just until you get “this project done”. 🙂

So many of my clients when we first start working together wear their “I’m so busy” almost like a badge of honor – “I worked 80 hours this week” or “I pulled an all-nighter to get this project done.”

But the truth is, working harder doesn’t always equate to getting more done. In fact, working smarter not harder is the key to productivity and success. It’s about finding ways to maximize your time and energy, so you can accomplish more in less time.

Here are some strategies that I’ve found to be incredibly helpful in working smarter:

1. Prioritize Your Tasks

Start by making a list of all the things you need to accomplish for the week. Then, determine which tasks are the most important. A question I ask myself when I prioritize is, “Which tasks will most help move my business forward.” Once you’ve prioritized, you can make a plan to accomplish these tasks – either yourself or by delegating – without worrying about getting lost in the weeds.

2. Delegate

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you have to do everything yourself. But the truth is, delegating tasks to others is an important strategy when working smarter. Determine which tasks fall into your Zone of Genius. Those are the tasks that you do! The rest can be delegated to someone else, whether it’s a colleague, employee, or virtual assistant. Now you have more time to focus on the tasks that require your specific skill set.

3. Minimize Distractions

Emails, phone calls, notifications OH MY! So many distractions!! Constantly being “on” can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Allow your brain some space to breathe by turning off notifications during certain times of the day. Use tools such as website blockers or noise-canceling headphones to minimize distractions and stay focused.

4. Use Technology to Your Advantage

Technology can be incredibly helpful in working smarter. There are a plethora of tools and apps available that can help you stay organized, manage your time, and automate repetitive tasks. Find the tools that work best for you and incorporate them into your workflow. A couple we use that I encourage you to explore are Asana (for project management), Zapier (to automate workflow), and Voxer (for communication).

5. Learn to Say No

It’s easy to fall into the trap of saying yes to everything that comes your way. But the truth is, saying no can be incredibly empowering. Learn to say no to tasks and projects that don’t align with your goals or values. This frees up your time to focus on the things that matter most to you. A phrase I use when I feel put on the spot and I’m trying to figure out whether or not something aligns with my goals is, “If you need an answer right now, the answer is NO. If you can wait 24 hours until I check my schedule, that answer may change.” This gives me the opportunity to assess my priorities without feeling under pressure.

In conclusion, working smarter, not harder is all about finding ways to maximize your time and energy, so you can accomplish more in less time. It’s about prioritizing tasks, delegating, limiting distractions, using technology to your advantage, and learning to say no.

By implementing these strategies, you can increase your productivity, reduce your stress, and achieve your goals with greater ease. If you’d like to explore specific ways you can work smarter, not harder, 1:1 coaching may be your next best step. Click below to schedule an exploratory call.