For decades, it has been common knowledge that if one works more, he or she gets more tasks done. But while people take pride in the fact that they’re expert multi-taskers, soon, reality and fatigue sets in, and we are reminded that we are only human and can only take on so much work on any given day.
The good news is that people don’t have to work too hard to succeed—one only needs to learn how to work smart. According to a new study from Stanford (via LinkedIn), it was found that there is a significant drop in productivity when the workweek exceeds 50 hours. It was also said that people who work as much as 70 hours or more per week get the same amount of tasks done as those who only put in 55 hours of work.
So what can people do to learn how to work smart? Here are some tips on how to work less and get more done.
Get enough rest during the weekends
The weekends should be devoted to relaxation and rejuvenation. It shouldn’t be spent finishing tasks that were left over from the work week. Professionals who get enough rest during the weekends are more productive even if they only work five hours a day. By taking some time to recharge, your mind and body get a break, and this enables you to be at your best during the work week.
Unplug
Office workers in the past had it easy, as they didn’t have smartphones which make them reachable by colleagues and bosses even after office hours. While technology is here to stay, you can resist the urge to check work emails or take work calls on the weekends. You can also have a designated time to check your messages, such as on Sunday evening. This way, you’re still in communication with your co-workers, but there’s less pressure on yourself to be available at all times.
Use technology to your advantage
Some of the most brilliant minds of today may be avowed Luddites, but professionals need to use technology to their advantage in order to get more things done in a short period of time. For instance, instead of going to the grocery store, which could easily take a few hours, one could simply take advantage of apps or services which allow you to do the grocery shopping in your own home and have it delivered on the same day.
Have a hobby
When a person does something with their hands during the weekends, it enables one to shift the focus to being creative and shut out the stresses of work. Whether it’s building birdhouses, painting, crocheting, knitting, or coloring in adult coloring books, a hobby can help workers relax and think differently, which can help one be more productive when it’s time to work.
For more, check out Jobs & Hire’s report on how successful women deal with Mondays.
