How to Get More Done in Less Time

No matter the size of your business, everyone is looking for ways to improve the efficiency of their workplace. When you’re running a business there is always something to do and never enough time to do it. Today we’re here to teach you how to get more done, and how to spend less time doing it.

Re-Asses Your To Do Lists

This takes a lot of time initially, but it will save you a lot of time down the road. Look at all the things you need to do and break them down into different categories. From there, create a monthly to do list, a weekly to do list, and a daily to do list. This makes all of the tasks seem more manageable. With everything organized you don’t waste time trying to figure out how to balance all your tasks.

Track Your Hours

For one week, write down each task you do in a spreadsheet along with an estimate of how much time you spent on that task. Once you’ve done that you have physical evidence of what tasks are taking up most of your time. More often than not, people discover that they are spending too much time on tasks that are not essential. With this information you can make changes to your work habits to improve efficiency.

Create a Routine

For businesses where the tasks are constantly changing, this may seem impossible. What we mean by a routine is not to do the same tasks at the same time each day. What your routine looks like each day is up to you, but what you should be doing is creating a basic formula for your day. Get to work at a set time and check your email. Review your to do list. Take your lunch break at the same time each day (or try to). By setting some basic routines you will better time your tasks.

Spend Less Time on Daily Tasks

Speaking of routines, one thing you want to avoid is spending too much time on daily tasks. These tasks make it challenging for you to make any headway in your to do list. It is important to find ways to accomplish these tasks more quickly. Take a look at your daily tasks and break them down into specific steps. How can the amount of steps be reduced? Which of these tasks could you train other employees in so you have more time on your hands for other tasks?

Set Boundaries

This includes boundaries when it comes to your working hours, taking on additional tasks, and answering questions from your co-workers. If you answer emails at two in the morning, people will always expect you to be available via email. If someone asks you to complete a task, ask about how urgent it is so you can add it into your schedule appropriately. And while you shouldn’t brush off all requests or questions from your co-workers, sometimes you simply won’t have time to assist them. Let them know this, kindly, and offer an alternative point of contact for the issue.

Determine Your Working Habits

Are you sluggish in the morning or do you find yourself getting burned out near the end of your shift? Arranging tasks so that you are working on the most challenging items when you are most productive makes a world of difference. Schedule your day so your more tedious, simple tasks are being done when you are at your lowest point of productivity.

Be Patient

The fact is that all of us go home at the end of the day with things at work we’ve still got to finish, and that’s okay. If you had everything done you’d show up at work with nothing to do. Tackle the mindset that you must get all your work completed immediately. It’s simply not possible, and realizing that can eliminate a lot of stress.