Efficiency refers to getting tasks done in a way that wastes the least amount of time and effort. It is characterized by working and doing something without losing valuable resources.
In order to be efficient, one needs to practice productivity, work smarter (not always harder), and organize their time. Read along for useful tips to maximize your work efficiency.
Create Healthy Habits
- Time Management – The process of organizing and planning how to divide your time between specific activities.
- Good time management enables you to work smarter – not harder.
- This allows you to get more things done in less time, even when time is tight and pressures are high.
- Failing to manage your time damages your effectiveness and causes stress.
- Developing a routine within a schedule
- Having a routine you stick to as you complete your tasks is a great way to stay efficient. This could like something as small as getting up every day at 12:00 PM for a quick walk or stretch. Or, every morning you take a couple of minutes to write down your objectives and tasks for the day in a planner. Whatever it may be, having something you do every day can help create a habit you stick to.
- Taking breaks is also important!
- Don’t burn yourself out. If you’re feeling tired or unmotivated, take a little break and do something to energize yourself like stretch, walk, call a friend, listen to music, or even watch a scene from your favorite movie!
Try your best to minimize distractions
Distractions can be all around you. Diverting your focus away from your task can start to accumulate until you are completely unaware of what was right in front of you.
Try to find a quiet place to work in. Keep only work related tabs open while you are on the clock. If necessary, set your status to “Do Not Disturb” on your phone or your communication apps to prevent distractions from reaching you.
Having less distractions around you can lead to:
- Decreased Stress
- With less distractions, we will be able to complete the work we do which also takes the pressure off the other tasks
- Higher Thinking
- When we are so focused on some tasks, we are limiting our cognitive resources
- Improved Memory
- Reducing distractions provides more opportunities for our memory to function properly
- Longer Attention Span
- The more we concentrate, the longer our attention span gets
- Potentially more SUCCESS!
- Who can really function in a room full with distractions and endless things to remind us about other tasks?
Prioritize, organize, and self-reflect
Tasks can be organized into a matrix.
| Unattractive | Attractive | |
| Productive | Necessary Work | Purposeful Work |
| Unproductive | Unnecessary Work | Distracting Work |
(1) Set objectives – Understand your task and set goals to help guide you to your desired end result.
(2) Work and Improve – Eliminate wasteful activities, approach your task with extreme effort, and focus.
(3) Evaluate your Performance – Ask for feedback! Also, think about how you personally feel about your task progress.