7 Best Ways to Work Smart Not Hard

Life is busy, and it can be really easy to get caught up in the daily grind. With so many demands on our time—and let's be honest, some of them aren't even real demands—it's easy to let yourself get overwhelmed.

But here are 7 ways that working smart not hard can help you stay sane:

?1# Prioritize your tasks

Prioritizing is the key to working smart, not hard. It's important to have a clear sense of what needs to be done and when it needs to be done. You can do this by making a list of tasks that matter most and then ranking them from highest priority to the lowest.

Once you've prioritized your list, say goodbye to those pesky little tasks that aren't as important as they seem at first glance because they don't really fit into any logical order—such as checking email every hour or doing laundry every day!

The trick here is knowing how much time each task requires in order for it not only to stay on top of our list but also actually get done correctly before another more important task takes over our lives again.

2# Work when you're most productive

When it comes to work, there are two kinds of people: those who work when they're not most productive and those who don't. The first group is much better at their jobs, but the second group has a hard time keeping up with their colleagues and ends up feeling like they're constantly wasting time on tasks that could be done in a fraction of the time.

To find out when you're most productive, try this simple exercise: Schedule your day around your best hours! Pick one or two times each week when you know your schedule will be clear—like early morning or late afternoon.

Plan accordingly so that these times represent about 50% of your total available hours in any given week (for example Monday - Wednesday = 4 days; Thursday - Saturday = 5 days). Then, come up with some creative ways to use these extra hours for maximum productivity!?

Think about how much better off everyone would be if everyone spent all their working hours working smart instead of hard.

3# Set deadlines

One of the most important things you can do to ensure that you're working smart not hard is setting deadlines. Set deadlines for yourself and stick to them! Don't be afraid to set ambitious goals—and don't set deadlines that are too short.

Setting a deadline will help motivate you because when it comes time for your task or project, there will be more pressure on those last few days before its due date than there would have been otherwise.?

By setting tough benchmarks in advance, we create an expectation among ourselves that we'll stick with our plan despite any obstacles along the way (like getting distracted by work or family obligations).

4# Staying organized

Staying organized is a great way to make your time more productive and efficient. When you're organized, it's easier to find what you need when you need it.?

If someone sends an email or text message asking for information, for example, being able to quickly pull up their file on your phone will save them from having to look through old emails again just so they can give their answer before the deadline.

A good filing system is crucial in staying organized because it keeps everything neat and tidy so that when something needs doing—whether that's going through files in search of an old document or updating an invoice—everything goes smoothly.?

?5# Learn to say No

It is okay to say no. It is okay to say no to people, projects, and ideas. If you're not willing to spend a little time on something that doesn't excite or challenge you, then it's best to pass on that opportunity.

By saying "yes" too often we end up spreading ourselves too thin which results in burnout because our body/mind can only handle so much stress before breaking down completely due to its natural inability to adapt (just like a muscle).

6# Take breaks

Taking breaks is important for your health, your productivity, and even the quality of your work. Furthermore, taking a break from your regular routine can be a great way to recharge and get back on track.?

For instance, go for a short walk around the block or park in front of your house/office building (or both). This will help clear out any mental clutter that might be clogging up your brain and make it easier for you to focus when trying new tasks later on.

7# Don’t be afraid to delegate

Delegation is a skill that can be learned. You don't need to be a boss or an executive in order to delegate work. It's about the attitude you have about your own abilities and the way you manage people around you.?

Delegating tasks allows you to focus on the more important things, like growing your business or building relationships with clients or customers. It also helps build trust between yourself and others since they know there's someone else who will keep their job safe if anything happens (and maybe even do some work for them).

You may think delegating would mean losing control over something important—but that's not necessarily true! If someone else takes care of something, it means they're taking care of it well enough so as not to cause any problems—and if they do cause problems, we'll deal with those when/if they arise (usually after our own deadline has passed).

Wrap Up

So, what are you going to do?

Let’s be honest: It can feel like a lot of work to get your business off the ground. But that doesn’t mean it has to be! In fact, if you keep these 7 tips in mind—and make sure you’re working smart, not hard by prioritizing and delegating—you don’t have anything to worry about.?

And remember: Small wins are better than no wins at all, right? So use them as an opportunity for growth and success!