Smart Work Precedes Hard Work

Smart Work Precedes Hard Work: Top 5 Tips for Increasing Efficiency

A famous proverb says, "Industry is the key to success." However, working very hard, but without effective smartness, can move success even further. Sister Mary Lauretta says, "To be successful, the first thing to do is fall in love with your work." By falling in love, you started feeling passionate and aroused towards your work, and thus you start making effective plans for better results. Therefore, the ability of planning, organizing and executing tasks smartly is a prerequisite for success. Following are top 5 tips for increasing efficiency in your work and getting closer to success:

1. Never multitask:

Though people usually refer to multitasking a lot, no such thing exists in reality. According to Devora Zack, multitasking is an illusion, as the human brain cannot be at two different places at the same time. So, what people refer to as "multitasking" is actually switching between tasks, while not completing any of them perfectly. Yes, sometimes we grow muscle memories, and those allow us to do two tasks at the same time, e.g., eating and watching TV. However, these are not really "multitasking," as we cannot divide our concentration equally among two tasks. We either need to focus on eating, while almost forgetting what we're watching; or we need to focus on watching TV, while accidentally eating a chili instead of a bean. Therefore, you should instead focus on one single task at once and do not move to another work until the job is finished. To get help with this, follow tip # 2.

2. Let Zeigarnik Effect Help you:

Zeigarnik effect refers to the theory which claims that people remember tasks that are left incomplete, instead of completed tasks. Therefore, if you start a job, your mind will continuously remind you of completing the work. So, instead of sitting and planning for a lot of time, just start a task and then make plans in between; as your brain will help you complete the task once you start it.

Let this tendency help you to work around psychological situations like writer's block. When you can't work, just start working, the brain will help you overcome the rest of the issues.

3. Sleep in Cycles:

It is mandatory to be in perfect awareness of your mind during your work; and without sleeping perfectly, it is impossible to do so. Researchers claim that our body sleeps in 90 minutes' cycles on an average. Try to wake up after a complete 90 minutes' cycle. This will make sure a refreshing condition of your mind and body every morning. So, instead of sleeping for 7 hours, sleep for 6 hours or 7 and a half; whichever is more suitable for you. However, the cycle varies a bit from person to person. So, find your sleeping cycle and try not to wake up in the middle of a cycle. There are several apps for helping you to find out your own sleep cycle.

4. Use Every Morning Most Efficiently:

Surveys and researches debate that human body is generally at the peak of its performance during the first few hours at work, as our body remains most energetic and enthusiastic in the morning. So, try to complete most crucial day tasks in the first couple of hours of your day. If there are different types of tasks that you have to do regularly, schedule the hardest or the most critical tasks for the morning. Though many companies schedule meetings in the mornings, try to avoid the practice. Morning is for being most productive, not for lengthy discussions. Never spend early morning hours in checking emails (unless that's the most important task for your job), checking out Facebook or Twitter pages, replying to messengers, etc. unproductive/less-productive tasks.

5. Never Miss Your Breakfast:

Though we popularly tend to miss our breakfast mostly and eat a lot during our lunch, it is a very harmful practice, according to experts. Even if you're getting late for office or an important meeting, do not miss your breakfast. Breakfasts make sure that you can work perfectly in the first few hours, and get the best out of yourself for your most productive works.

Therefore, though it is emphasized that you should "work hard in silence and let your success be the noise" for you, you should be following smart work techniques for becoming successful.

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