Time to Prioritize Efficiency!

Being efficient means being able to accomplish something with the least waste of time and effort. However, it’s difficult to apply this concept to our day to day lives. Whether its work or school, we often have so much going on that planning and prioritizing our tasks just isn’t feasible. Nonetheless, improving your efficiency can lead to less stressful and more productive work days. We have compiled the following tips on how to increase your efficiency while decreasing your stress levels:

1. List out your crucial tasks each day:

Now we aren’t necessarily talking about the things you would like to get done that day, but the things that absolutely must get done. Seeing these tasks written out will help you visualize how much you need to get done and will keep you on track throughout the day. When you take the time to write something out, your brain will automatically start prioritizing your next steps and how to handle each task.

This process is also really great for organization. We’re so often on the go, that remembering something in the moment and then forgetting to write it down happens way too often. Rather than stressing out about something you forgot about 2 weeks ago, just take the time to write it down on a dedicated list.

2. Limit your phone and social media use during the work day:

It’s tempting to jump on Instagram for a second or reply to a text message from a friend, but it derails your efficiency throughout the day. Taking yourself out of whatever task you’re accomplishing and distracting yourself every hour or every few minutes can really affect your efficiency. Instead, set limits on your phone to limit your internet usage to an appropriate amount.

There are also countless apps that can limit your access to the web on both your phone and your laptop for an interval of time. If you find that you need to take a break every once in a while, and unplug on your phone, schedule five minute breaks into your day after each important task you complete. This will keep you incentivized to stay on track but can also function as an effective reward system.

3. Try out the “two-minute rule”:

Entrepreneur Steve Olenski recommends applying a “two-minute rule” in order to take advantage of the small windows of time in your schedule. If you have a task that can get done in two minutes or less, finish the task immediately.

Since those tasks seem small, we often put them off as they pile up on our schedule. Getting something small out of the way frees up time on your schedule and makes you feel like you’re ready to deal with a larger task.

4. Know when to call it a day:

We all have a start time for our day, but very few people set an ending time. Setting a self- imposed deadline will encourage you to get through your tasks efficiently in order to finish early enough and give yourself a rest. None of us can work all day every day, we all need the time at the end of the day to unwind, relax, and prepare for the next day. Setting a deadline for yourself will allow you to power through the day and have something to look forward to in the evening.