8 Tips to Get Work Done Faster
Time is always the enemy when you’re bombarded with dozens of paperwork and numerous deadlines. You get anxious and stressed resulting in tasks that aren’t only incomplete but also substandard. The truth is, everyone wants to finish their work at the fastest time possible without comprising quality in the process, but it can be difficult especially if you don’t have the right habits. Check out these seven tips on how to speed up work and still be efficient at the same time:
1. Wake up early
Even if you’re a night owl, waking up and starting your work early is actually beneficial for your overall productivity. Your brain will be fresh and your body will be reenergized, allowing you to finish tasks faster and more efficiently. An early start doesn’t only improve your time management skills but also gives you an opportunity to leave the office sooner resulting in more time for yourself and for family. Nobody likes to stay in the office for more than 10 hours a day, so get work done faster by not setting that alarm a few minutes before you actually go to work.
2. Have a to-do list
How to finish work faster? Have a to-do list. For each workday, don’t forget to write down each task you will be intending to complete. This will aid you in getting things done faster and prevent working on tasks that aren’t due for the next few weeks or months. Having a to-do list will tremendously help you in project planning as your time and energy will be focused on one specific task at a time. In contrast, not having a to-do list doesn’t only increase the likelihood of you forgetting tasks but also results in you getting reprimanded by your manager or supervisors. Whether your office operates in a fast paced environment or not, it’s better to be on your toes than be slacking off throughout your work shift.
3. Begin with difficult tasks
Once you have a to-do list ready, start with the difficult and time-consuming task first. Remember that your brain is most active at the start of your shift, so take advantage of this by working on the tasks that you deem are the most difficult. Once these tasks are out of the way, you can relax for a bit and finish those tasks that don’t really require great mental effort or collaboration by most members of the department. Always avoid the habit of starting difficult tasks much later in your shift as you might not finish the tasks on time, forcing you to finish them at home and until the late hours of the evening.
4. Remove all unnecessary items from your desk
Nothing can be more detrimental for you being productive than having multiple distractions in your desk or workstation. Whether it be mobile phones, electronic devices, or magazines, just to name a few, temporarily remove all of them from your work premises for the entire duration of your shift. Having these distractions by your side can be very tempting and there is a strong chance you will be facing your phone instead of working fast and meeting the urgent tasks at hand. There is a reason why a majority of employers want their workers to place all of their belongings in designated areas or lockers, and this is it.
5. Finish unimportant tasks in less than 15 minutes
People oftentimes have a different mindset when it comes to getting work done for short, easy, or unimportant tasks. A sense is urgency is no longer present resulting in tasks getting accomplished longer than it should actually take. Make sure to treat unimportant tasks as if you are dealing with difficult ones. Most of these tasks, whether it be sending emails to an external client or filling out spreadsheets on a productivity platform should take no more than 15 minutes. Although be prepared to be given the odd task every now and then; a task that seems easy to accomplish but actually requires meticulous work. In this case, always ask for help when working on this kind of task to prevent having it returned to you multiple times.
6. Always set deadlines
Speaking of 15-minute deadlines for short tasks, set deadlines for all of your tasks. List down these deadlines while creating your to-do list at the start of the day or the day before. But always remember that setting deadlines can be difficult especially for tasks that you haven’t worked on in the past. Your only option here is to set an estimated time frame and finish the task within the said time frame as much as possible. Develop a habit of strictly finishing tasks with the deadlines you have previously set; finishing one task earlier will allow you to immediately shift your focus on the next one.
7. Maximize breaks
Getting work done faster doesn’t mean skipping lunch breaks or other short breaks your company is allowing. Working for eight hours straight every single day will burn you out fast and will only increase your chances of ending up in the hospital bed. Recharge for a bit by eating a hearty and healthy meal, and taking a nap for a few minutes. But if you experience headaches after napping, replace that activity by doing other relaxing activities instead such as talking with colleagues or reading a book. Healthy living is an important factor if you’re aiming to become an effective and efficient employee.
8. But avoid taking very long breaks
Take a break is a must for every employee, but if these breaks translate to leaving the office premises for hours at a time, then you might as well inform your manager you’ll be staying at the office until midnight. Long breaks will only halt the momentum you had earlier in the shift and will only create more backlogs once you get back. Take note that not everyone in the office will be working on a strict schedule, so try to reject unimportant invitations and focus on your work instead. You can always reserve all non-work activities after you’ve finished everything and you’ll have more time to enjoy once your shift ends.
Getting work done within your regular work schedule is more than achievable. Millions have done it before and millions do it on a regular basis. All you simply need are some good habits and you will be on your way to getting work done faster every day for the rest of your professional career.
