Getting more done in less time

Constantly running out of time? You’re not alone. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, 70% of Americans feel overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do.

But there are a number of strategies that you can use to get more done in less time. The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule?—?but to schedule your priorities. Let’s look at the top strategies and tools for getting more done in less time.

1. Use a time-tracking tool

One of the best ways to get more done in less time is to use a time-tracking tool. A time-tracking tool can help you see where your time is going and identify areas where you can make improvements.

There are many time tracking tools available, such as RescueTime, Toggl, and Hours. Try out a few different tools to see which one works best for you.

Once you’ve chosen a time-tracking tool, start tracking your time for a week or two. See where your time is going and identify areas where you can make improvements. For example, you could set a timer for 20 minutes and only check email once per hour. You could also try using a productivity app like Freedom or Cold Turkey to block distracting websites and apps.

Arianna Huffington, the founder of Thrive Global, uses RescueTime to track her time and make sure she’s not spending too much time on unproductive activities.

Here are some tips for using a time-tracking tool effectively:

• Track your time consistently: The more data you have, the better insights you’ll have into how you’re spending your time.
• Identify your time-wasting activities: Once you know where your time is going, you can start to make changes.

2. Set deadlines for?yourself

Another great way to get more done in less time is to set deadlines for yourself. Having deadlines will help you stay focused and on track. When you set a deadline, make sure it’s realistic but challenging.

You don’t want to set a deadline that’s so unrealistic that you’ll never be able to meet it, but you also don’t want to set a deadline that’s too easy. Here are some tips for setting deadlines effectively:

• Make sure your deadlines are realistic but challenging: You don’t want to set a deadline that’s so unrealistic that you’ll never be able to meet it, but you also don’t want to set a deadline that’s too easy.
• Stick to your deadlines: If you find yourself falling behind, don’t be afraid to adjust the deadline. But don’t make a habit of adjusting deadlines, or you’ll never get anything done.
• Break down large tasks into smaller ones: Large tasks can seem daunting and overwhelming. To make them seem less daunting, break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks.

3. Reward yourself for completing tasks

One of the best ways to stay motivated is to reward yourself for completing tasks. When you reward yourself for your accomplishments, you’re more likely to keep going and achieve your goals. The rewards don’t have to be big or expensive. They can be anything that you enjoy, such as watching your favorite TV show, taking a walk in nature, or eating your favorite food.

Here are some tips for rewarding yourself effectively:

• Make sure your rewards are meaningful to you: The reward should be something that you genuinely enjoy. If you don’t enjoy the reward, you’re less likely to be motivated to complete the task.
• Reward yourself immediately: Don’t wait until you’ve completed a long list of tasks to reward yourself. Reward yourself immediately after completing each task. This will help you stay motivated and on track.
• Vary your rewards: Don’t give yourself the same reward every time you complete a task. Vary your rewards so that you stay interested and motivated.

4. Take?breaks

It may seem counterintuitive, but taking breaks can actually help you get more done in less time. When you work for long periods of time without taking a break, your productivity starts to decline. Get up and move around every 20–30 minutes to avoid burnout.

Albert Einstein was known for taking frequent breaks. He would often take a walk or play the violin to clear his head and come back to his work refreshed.

Here are some tips for taking breaks effectively:

• Get up and move around every 20–30 minutes.
• Do something that you enjoy. This will help you relax and come back to your work refreshed.
• Avoid checking social media or email. This will help you avoid distractions and focus on your break.
• Get up and move around.
• Take a few deep breaths.

5. Plan your day the night?before

One of the best ways to start your day off right is to plan your day the night before. This will help you stay focused and on track throughout the day.

When you plan your day, make sure to include all of your important tasks. You can also prioritize your tasks so that you focus on the most important ones first.

Here are some social proof, real-life examples, and actionable ideas or tools for planning your day:

Here are some tips for planning your day effectively:

• Set aside some time to plan your day: Don’t try to plan your day in the morning when you’re rushing to get out the door. Set aside some time the night before to plan your day in detail.
• Include all of your important tasks: When you’re planning your day, make sure to include all of your important tasks. This includes both work tasks and personal tasks.
• Prioritize your tasks: Once you’ve included all of your tasks, prioritize them so that you focus on the most important ones first.
• Leave some time for unexpected tasks: Things don’t always go according to plan, so it’s important to leave some time for unexpected tasks. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed if something unexpected comes up.
• Be flexible: Things don’t always go according to plan, so it’s important to be flexible with your schedule. If something unexpected comes up, be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly.

6. Avoid checking email first thing in the?morning

Email can be a major distraction, so it’s important to avoid checking it first thing in the morning. When you check your email first thing, you’re setting yourself up for a day of being reactive instead of proactive.

Instead of checking your email first thing, focus on your most important tasks. Once you’ve made some progress on your most important tasks, then you can check your email.

Here are some social proof, real-life examples, and actionable ideas or tools for avoiding checking email first thing in the morning:

Here are some tips for avoiding checking email first thing in the morning:

• Set a timer: When you first wake up, set a timer for 30 minutes. During this time, focus on your most important tasks. Once the timer goes off, you can check your email.
• Turn off notifications: Turn off all of your email notifications, including push notifications and email alerts. This will help you avoid being tempted to check your email.
• Set aside time for email: Schedule a specific time each day to check your email. This will help you avoid checking your email throughout the day.

7. Say no to?requests

It’s important to learn how to say no to requests. When you say yes to everything, you’re setting yourself up for overload and burnout.

Instead of saying yes to everything, learn to prioritize your time and focus on the most important tasks. If you’re not sure if you should say yes to a request, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is this request important?
• Is this request urgent?
• Can I delegate this task to someone else?
• Can I say no to this request without offending the person who made the request?

If you can answer yes to all of these questions, then you can say yes to the request. If you can’t answer yes to all of these questions, then you should say no to the request.

Here are some tips for saying no to requests:

• Be honest: When you say no to a request, be honest with the person who made the request. Don’t make excuses or try to sugarcoat it.
• Be direct: When you say no to a request, be direct. Don’t beat around the bush or try to soften the blow.
• Be polite: Even if you’re saying no, be polite to the person who made the request.
• Be firm: Once you’ve said no, be firm. Don’t let the person who made the request try to change your mind.
• Be prepared for pushback: Some people may not be happy when you say no to their requests. Be prepared for pushback and be able to calmly explain why you’re saying no.

8. Delegate?tasks

If you have tasks that can be delegated, delegate them to someone else. This will free up your time so that you can focus on your most important tasks

When you delegate tasks, make sure to choose someone who is capable of completing the task and who has the time to do it. You should also provide clear instructions and deadlines.

Here are some tips for delegating tasks:

• Choose the right person: When you delegate a task, make sure to choose someone who is capable of completing the task and who has the time to do it.
• Provide clear instructions: When you delegate a task, make sure to provide clear instructions and deadlines.
• Be available for questions: If the person you delegate the task to has any questions, be available to answer them.
• Give feedback: Once the task is completed, give feedback to the person who delegated it. This will help them improve their delegation skills.

9. Eliminate distractions

To eliminate distractions, you need to identify what your distractions are and then take steps to remove them. Some common distractions include:

• Social media can be a major distraction, so it’s important to limit your time on it.
• Email can also be a major distraction, so it’s important to set aside specific times to check your email.
• Notifications from your phone or computer can also be a major distraction, so it’s important to turn them off when you need to focus.
• Clutter can also be a major distraction, so it’s important to declutter your workspace and remove anything that you don’t need.
• People can also be a major distraction, so it’s important to find a quiet place to work where you won’t be interrupted.

Here are some tips for eliminating distractions:

• Identify your distractions: The first step is to identify what your distractions are. Once you know what your distractions are, you can start to take steps to remove them.
• Set boundaries: Once you know what your distractions are, you need to set boundaries around them. This means setting aside specific times to check your email, social media, and other distractions.
• Find a quiet place to work: If possible, find a quiet place to work where you won’t be interrupted. This could be a library, a coffee shop, or even your bedroom.
• Take breaks: It’s important to take breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. This will help you stay focused and avoid burnout.
• Reward yourself: When you’re able to focus and get work done, reward yourself. This will help you stay motivated and on track.

The bottom?line

In addition to these tips, it is also important to be realistic about your expectations. You cannot expect to get everything done in a single day. Instead, focus on making small, incremental progress each day. Over time, these small steps will add up to big results.