How To Work Smarter Not Harder
Start writing a post
Student Life

How To Work Smarter Not Harder

Helpful Tips to Improve Your Productivity and Save Your Time

14
How To Work Smarter Not Harder
google images

Chances are you have had moments when you were able to effortlessly finish a task, or group of tasks within a short period of time. Which means you have also experienced days when you found yourself unable to make any progress on any given task. There is no doubt everyone has had times of low productivity. However during these slow periods of time, we are then faced with the challenge of overcoming our laziness. In this article i will cover three effective ways you can increase your productivity, and escape the chasm of laziness.


1. Give Yourself a Short Deadline

Have you ever wondered how that one friend was able to finish his class project in a single night? Although the unhealthy caffeine intake, and all nighter may have helped their cause. The true reason procrastinators are able to work so efficiently, is due to their focus. When you are given a task that not only takes a small amount of time to complete, but is also seen to have a low priority (at the time). Naturally some people decide their time would be better used elsewhere, leaving the task on the shelf until a caffeine binge is needed for its completion. Whether you need to turn in that essay tomorrow, or next month. Don't let the task collect dust and raise your stress levels. Instead, split up the work into sections, and give yourself ridiculously short deadlines for each section. Doing so will require you to focus completely on the work, and avoid distractions.



2. STOP MULTITASKING

I completely understand that you check your email while eating breakfast to save time, now stop it. Multitasking of any kind, will decrease your productivity by 40% making you lose time, instead of saving it. The human brain is an incredible thing, but it simply can not perform two or more tasks simultaneously, without drastically lowering the quality of work achieved. Unfortunately for us, the mother of all multitasking tools rests in our pockets. Smartphones have undeniably taken over the world, changing society and our social existence along the way. Aside from that, they are incredible tools that are equally as distracting as they are helpful. If you want to give yourself a personal productivity boost, do yourself a favor and leave the smartphone on the charger.



3. Take A Break

While you work in your ultra productive state, the worse thing you can do is overwork yourself. Unless absolutely necessary, avoid working in intervals longer than 90-100 minutes. Taking the occasional break allows you to clear your head, and refocus on your current task. Take the time to meditate, or listen to music. Using this time to manage your stress, and refocus your brain is a key step to maintaining your productivity.



In the end these three simple tips should be common knowledge. Although almost everyone ignores, or forgets about them from time to time. Give yourself deadlines, stop multitasking, and remember to take breaks as you steer yourself to a higher level of productivity.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71216
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133289
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments