10 Ways to Work Smarter, Not Harder

Apr 12, 2019

As a solopreneur, the feeling of time being insufficient to get things done isn't new. There will always be a sense of dissatisfaction at the end of the day. So what is needed to maximize productivity? Is it having more time for work? No. It’s working smarter. Here are 10 tips that help:

1. Prioritize tasks with greater results

Accomplishing a major task helps you feel more rewarded than delaying that task and getting the smaller tasks done first. Imagine yourself relaxing after a great victory. Wouldn't that feel better than working on things that don’t really matter at the moment?

2. Minimize decision making

To utilize your time better and give most of it to working, simplify your life. For example, adopt a minimalistic fashion sense. You can see this habit possessed by a lot of successful personalities. Mark Zuckerberg wears gray shirts every day and Steve Jobs wears black sweaters, jeans, and New Balance shoes. These personalities use their time well because they don't spend minutes deciding on what to wear.

3. Follow a routine and automate

Living simply requires establishing a routine and following it unconsciously until it becomes a habit. Why? Because you get things done progressively. Tasks are easily finished if they’re worked on one at a time but at a constant pace.

4. Control unnecessary habits

Habits can also be distractions depending on their nature. If you check Facebook or open your email during your scheduled working hours, you are wasting precious moments. Not to mention that you have halted your working momentum. Whatever your habits are, save those for later. Constantly checking your phone? Put it on the other side of the room.

5. Schedule huge tasks into smaller work times

When faced with a big workload, you can easily get overwhelmed and discouraged. Thinking about it can even be stressful and once you do, you start to procrastinate and worry. The technique for this is to break it down into smaller tasks with small schedules. Your day will become easier and you can start right away. You will also feel less stressed when working.

6. Work at your own pace

Not everyone works with the same speed and endurance. You have to understand that you are different from other people. Don’t pressure yourself by comparing yourself to others. If you start comparing yourself to how others work, you will feel stressed and it will affect you and the quality of your work. Do your tasks when, how long, and in what manner you want.

7. Hire or ask for help

People tend to think that multitasking is productive, but the truth is that it’s not. It creates confusion and stress. Humans don't possess the mental capacity to multitask. The mind just jumps focus from one subject to the other in a quick way and it is psychologically unhealthy. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or hire someone who is better and unoccupied for the job.

8. Work with passion

Attitude is everything. If you work in a grumpy state, you will be working with a lot of grumbling. It will affect your work quality. Work with a positive attitude and love what you're doing because it yields a lot of positive effects. You get to work faster and happier.

9. Stop when needed

If you feel tired, relax and rest. A stressed solopreneur is likely to commit errors while working and it is counterproductive. You will waste time trying to patch up mistakes as a result of working tired. Also, take after lunch naps. Having mid-day rests can help you re-energize by resetting your mind to work at high performance in the later afternoon.

10. Prepare the night before

This technique will help you stick to your morning routine and minimize decision making before working. If you prepare the night before you will deal with lesser work in the morning and make the most out of your working hours as you get to start earlier.

Working smart is easier said than done. The secrets to making your day as productive as possible is better time management, sticking to schedule without distractions, and working with a positive attitude.