There is no doubt that you work hard, but are you working smart? At South Florida-based PR agency Durée & Company, our theme for 2019 is “Work Smarter, Not Harder” in order to make the most effective use of our time and to keep our clients happy.
However, this is often easier said than done. There are never enough hours in the day to complete the infinite reel of tasks that always pop up and as a result, you constantly feel like you’re behind and can’t stop working. So, what do you do? Work 24 hours, 7 days a week? Of course not! Utilize our six tips to work smarter, not harder.
Prioritize To-Do Lists: Do you feel like your to-do list is a mile long? Rather than thinking that you need to finish your whole list in one day, focus on the most important items first. The D&Co Dynamos manage their work with weekly to-do lists. From your list, narrow it down to a daily to-do list focusing on the top five most important tasks of the day. A Dynamo Tip: write your to-do list out the night before so you can jumpstart your day as soon as you arrive and avoid the morning procrastination. Of course, things will always pop up and your priorities may change in the morning, but start your day off organized.
Communicate: Before deep diving into a project, communicate with the people that you are working with, whether it is a colleague or a client. If you don’t have the opportunity to meet in person, hop on the phone and make sure to ask the correct questions and that the task is clear. The more information you have, the better. This will help eliminate unnecessary rework and wasted time from any miscommunication.
Proofread Work: Prior to submitting a project, press release, report, etc., proofread your work! To help prevent human error, there are tools that you can use to check your work such as Spellcheck, to check your spelling fibs, or Grammarly, to search for grammar mishaps. Taking this one extra step can prevent back and forth emails with your co-workers and clients and create less frustration over minor errors.
Stop Multitasking: Many people think that if they multitask, they will accomplish more. Although in theory working on multiple things at once sounds productive, studies show the opposite. You’re actually more productive if you do one single thing at a time. According to Harvard Business Review, focusing on more than one thing decreases your productivity by 40% and lowers your IQ by 10 points. When switching from task to task, you’re not actually paying attention to everything that you are doing and there is more risk of error.
Take Breaks Throughout the Day: In order to work smart, you need to take mental breaks throughout the day. Long hours of work can wear us out and reduce our capabilities, making us work harder while generating less results. To avoid this, schedule 10 to 15 minute breaks in between major tasks. According to Fast Company, your brain can only focus for 90 to 120 minutes before it needs a break. Every 90 minutes, refuel your brain and replenish your energy by standing up, drinking water, walking around the office or eating a healthy snack.
Set Up Personal Time: Although work and clients are important, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Work-life balance is an important factor of a healthy work environment. Set a cut-off time or block off time on your calendar for yourself, whether that is going to the gym, taking a walk, practicing yoga or going to dinner with your friends. Sometimes it’s difficult to switch off at the end of the night or take time out of the weekend to stop thinking about work, however, maintaining that balance helps reduce stress and increase productivity.
Though it’s not always easy and takes a little extra planning, it is better to work smarter instead of working harder. These 6 tips can help you get started. “Work Smarter, Not Harder” with the D&Co Dynamos during 2019!
About Durée & Company
Durée & Company, Inc. is an award-winning full-service public relations, marketing and special events firm with offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Aspen, Colorado. The firm serves the corporate, agency and non-profit arenas for local, national and international clients focusing on public relations for real estate, public relations for restaurants, public relations for law firms, public relations for charities, public relations for healthcare, and many more. Durée & Company services include Public Relations, Social Media, Marketing, Advertising, Special Events, and Radio Promotions and Outreach.
