Three Tips to Help You Become an Efficiency Expert
Create a Break Schedule
This concept might seem counterintuitive. If it’s my break, why does it need to be scheduled? The reason is that short breaks often turn into long ones, wasting time and killing your productivity. A five minute break can quickly turn in to a leisurely thirty minute siesta. Before each break, plan out exactly what you want to get accomplished. Maybe it’s reading an email, getting a snack, or taking a walk around the building. Most importantly, set a time limit for your break. Know exactly when it’s time to get back to work.
Stretch vs Short Goals
Not all goals are created equal. It’s important to know the difference to use them effectively. A stretch goal is a long term goal that will take considerable time and effort to achieve. It requires many steps and can be quite complicated. An example is “find a new office space for my company.” A short goal is a quick, measurable, and achievable “mini” goal. It is often a step to take to achieve a longer term stretch goal. It can be done in a short amount of time and is reasonably straightforward. An example is “talk to my realtor” or “search three websites for homes in my area.” As you knock out your mini goals, your stretch goal will not seem so daunting. Soon, you will achieve all your goals in no time.
Focus on the Most Important
Before you begin your day, it’s important to find the absolutely most vital and important goal. It’s the most essential “to-do” of the day. If only it gets done, the day won’t be an entire waste. That’s what you need to focus on. If you can delegate or reduce time doing other tasks (this is where Handlr can really help) definitely do so. There is a real difference between being busy and actually getting work done. Being able to effectively prioritize among your goals will ensure you make the most of your day.
