Getting things done, is our key to getting ahead in life. Getting things done quickly is an added pressure, but with all of the added distractions in life what are we to do? How do we maintain focus? In this post I have added six hacks you can implement in your daily routine to help you get work done more quickly and efficiently.
- Focus on Only Three Things Per Day.
Each morning before you start actually working for the day, take about 5 minutes to identify the top three most pressing things you must accomplish over the course of the day. Sure you may have more, but there are at least three that stand out the most. Focusing on such a small group of things will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed. If you are able to finish it by noon, then select three more! - Spend at leas t 10 minutes creating process flows for each priority.
After you have identified the top three priorities for the day, write down all the things you need to do to get them done! Having a clear picture of how you will do, will save you time in the long run You will not be too worn out at the end of each priority’s completion and need to figure out what you will do next. Do it while you mind is fresh. - Return Phone Calls Only Twice A Day.
Do not answer every phone call. Now, this depends on your position, but if your position does not require you to take every call, let it go to voicemail. I know it might sound unconventional, but more than likely you will be be in the a state of flow getting your tasks done. 90{e064d39067af08765fe4755b27c2288f15422f18b81a044f04440620879b5da2} of the time, it is something that can wait. Unless it is extremely urgent (like you’ll you lose $1million contract) I recommend returning phone calls at 9am and 2pm. At 9am you are returning any calls made after 2pm from the previous day and at 2pm you are returning any calls made after 9am. This way if you plan your day, you can focus on accomplishing your daily tasks without interruptions. - Check you email only twice per day.
Likewise, If you check your emails once in the morning and once in afternoon, you can remain focused. We can become absorbed into all the emails that we receive. It can make you overwhelmed even. Just like the phone calls, they can wait. I would even rate this as a lower priority. Don’t try to answer them all today. - Limit routine meetings to 20 minutes.
If you are leading a department or a business meeting do try to limit the meetings to 20 minutes. Why 20 minutes you ask? Well, let me tell you! The average attention span of adults is ….drum roll…. 20 minutes. Continuing to drone on and on for more is wasting you time and theirs. You should come in with an agenda, get right to the true point of the meeting, and start discussion. You should prepare the attendees by emailing a brief agenda and having them prepare their discussion points before attending. That way when you ask for discussion no one is sitting there trying to figure out what to say or waiting for someone else to make up something to say just so they can piggyback off of their statement…..just to look like a contributory team member. Trust me you can get a lot done in 20 minutes. - Take a 20 minute nap.
Yes, naps are amazing. After lunch, sit back and take a 20 minute nap. 20 minutes here doesn’t have a statistical figure behind it, but I know for myself that 20 minute naps gets me re-energized. I can think clearer and work with more focus. So, if you get a 1 hour lunch, spend 20 minutes taking a good nap. Media Mogul, Arianna Huffington said it best, ‘we all need more sleep’.
If you haven’t checked out the 24-Hr Effectiveness Project check it out here!
